BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science · York St John UniversityBachelor's degree · 3 years
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York St John University · Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science Bachelor's degree at York St John University

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science at York St John University is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), ensuring professional standards.

BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Explore human disease and its effects on the body in our biosciences laboratories. Gain the scientific knowledge and skills you need to succeed. From the provider’s course page.

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Medicine & Dentistry, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

9.0
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent81

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90

Moderate evidence Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional100

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 6 modules
  • Scientific Methods and Practice of Biomedical ScienceCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Gain the skills that underpin the scientific methods and practice of biomedical science. These include the mathematical and statistical skills, scientific writing and comprehension, and study skills needed for laboratory work. You will also build transferable skills relevant to any future job, including team work, organisation and self-reflection.

  • Organ Systems and PhysiologyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Develop your understanding of the normal organ systems. You will study: The digestive system and nutritional requirements; The nervous system; The cardiovascular and respiratory systems; The anatomy and function of the renal system; The endocrine system in relation to developmental biology.

  • Molecular Biology and BiochemistryCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Introduction to the molecular structure of the main macromolecules in the body. Learn to analyse how their structure affects their function; Investigate the effect of solution conditions on reactions; Explore the molecular structure of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, amino acids and lipids; Articulate the effect of pH changes on biological molecules.

  • Cell Structure and FunctionCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Learn about cell structure and sub-structure, including the control of cell function, with a focus on mammalian cells. Study the cell cycle and cell division, as well as cell specialisation and cooperation; Study the intra- and inter-cellular structures of eukaryotic cells; Determine the role of the cell cycle and associated common diseases; Investigate cell differentiation and tissue specialisation; Analyse and identify the structure of common tissues.

  • Metabolic Pathways and EnergyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Learn about how the various classes of biomolecules store and derive energy. Examine the main metabolic pathways and how these pathways function in an integrated manner in the living body. Study: The normal metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins; Enzyme kinetics and inhibition; The removal of toxins from the body; The role of disruption of metabolic pathways in disease.

  • Microbiology and ImmunologyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Introduction to microbiology, studying the structure, physiology, diversity, and genetics of bacteria and viruses. Emphasis on the classification of medically important organisms, and elementary concepts of immunology by exploring both the structure and function of the immune system, and the nature of antigens and antibodies. Examine the fundamental concepts of bacterial growth and metabolism; Consider prokaryotic DNA replication, transcription and translation; Explore epidemiology and preventio

Year 2 6 modules
  • Employability and Research MethodologiesCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Focus on developing your employability with sessions from York St John University Careers team, as well as meeting biomedical science professionals and graduates. Introduction to the methodologies used in biomedical science research, helping you develop a range of analytical methods necessary to support your research project.

  • Haematology and Blood DisordersCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Learn about blood group antigens and antibodies, considering the important issues involved in the safe supply and testing of blood and its components. Focus on disease analysis and the ethical consideration of immune-compromised patients. Examine the structure and function of the main components of the blood; Explore the causes of blood based disorders, their diagnosis, monitoring and treatment; Investigate the response of the immune system to infectious disease; Study allergy and auto-immune di

  • Clinical BiochemistryCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Address common biochemical disorders and their effect on the body at the molecular, cellular and organ level. Examine the nature of the clinical biochemistry laboratory, and consider the importance of the discipline in diagnosing and monitoring disease, including major biochemical tests. Learn about the techniques used to analyse patient samples; Examine the importance of internal and external standardisation of laboratory practice; Consider the use of biochemical markers in cancer and routine o

  • Molecular BiologyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Consider the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes at the molecular level. Gain theoretical and practical experience of molecular biology laboratory techniques and clinical applications of modern molecular tools. Study the replication, transcription and translation of DNA; Examine the role of mutation and genetic recombination; Explore the use of molecular biology cloning techniques.

  • Medical MicrobiologyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Focus on the role of medical microbiology in the diagnosis and control of infectious diseases. Study the characteristics of pathogens, their modes of host interaction, and their transmission. Explore their mechanisms of infection and growth using examples of viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes. Investigate the isolation and identification of important human pathogens; Analyse invasion strategies of micro-organisms; Evaluate treatment strategies for infection, vaccination regimes and ant

  • HistopathologyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Overview of the normal histology and cytology of the major organs and systems of the human body. Develop the skills needed to collect, process, prepare and interpret samples from diseased tissue, as well as learning about commonly used laboratory techniques that provide evidence to help clinicians with the diagnosis of disease. Investigate the responses of inflammation, tissue repair and wound healing; Assess techniques in sample preparation and staining of histological samples; Explore the norm

Year 3 2 modules
  • Research ProjectCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    Investigate a specific area of scientific research which interests you. Work independently on a research project with the support of your academic supervisor. They will meet with you on a 1 to 1 basis and together you will design the experimental procedures for investigating your hypothesis. Start by reading and reviewing relevant literature to generate hypotheses and research questions, before going on to collect your data in the laboratories using contemporary research methods. Once you have g

  • Cancer BiologyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Detailed consideration of cancer biology, focusing on the basis of carcinogenesis and the molecular, cellular and physiological signs of cancer. Explore specific causes of cancer.

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This course centres on exploring human disease and its effects on the body in biosciences laboratories, equipping you with the scientific knowledge and practical skills needed in biomedical practice. You'll typically begin by building foundations in anatomy, physiology and pathology, usually studied by body system, alongside clinical and communication skills such as patient history-taking and examination. Early modules also cover population health and professional ethics. As you progress, you'll move towards clinical rotations in hospital and general practice settings, encountering medicine, surgery and specialties such as paediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics. You'll have opportunities to select your own areas for deeper study, often involving research. The course normally culminates in applied placements and final examinations leading to professional registration.

Who it's for

This course suits students with A-level qualifications or equivalent. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent (90% of recent entrants). The typical UCAS tariff band among accepted students was 96–111 points. The degree is designed for those pursuing careers in biomedical science and related healthcare fields where professional accreditation and practical competence matter.

University & format

The BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science is a 3-year full-time degree at York St John University, a University located at its Main Campus in York. Teaching is delivered in English. The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and is recognised as a nationally recognised degree-awarding body. York St John University holds a Silver award for teaching quality from the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
89%
Learning opportunities
93%
Assessment and feedback
75%
Academic Support
89%
Organisation and management
74%
Learning resources
74%
Student voice
70%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

PlacementPublished placement option

Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysExplore our Open Days

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists around 112 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent90% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 96 - 111 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check York St John University's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent90%
another higher-education qualification5%
an Access course5%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBCCA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask York St John University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Home£9,790 / yr
International£14,900 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at York St John University →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All York St John University funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

National funding for this subject

  • NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Medicine & Dentistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£28,500£27,500 – £29,00050
3 years after£26,500£21,000 – £29,500220
5 years after£29,500£22,500 – £33,000225

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

90%
in work or further study 15 months on
75%
in highly skilled work or study
100%
continue past their first year
90%
find their work meaningful
60%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£28,500
£27,000 – £32,000
After 3 years LEO
£26,500
£24,650 – £34,800
After 5 years LEO
£29,500
£29,325 – £41,400
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £23,000 – £43,000

National figures for Medicine & Dentistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

90 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

60% working10% working and studying20% in further study75% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 50; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Medicine & Dentistry courses at the same study level.

This course £29,500Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £31,500–£38,500
15th percentile

Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 65% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
  • Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
  • Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
  • Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Is BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science worth it?

It depends. BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science adds about +£25,630 over the first ten years vs. going straight to a job, but on these earnings the payoff is slower than average.

Mixed payoff: a longer-than-average break-even for this course
break evenyr 0yr 5yr 10yr 15yr 20graduateWorth it ≈ year 20.9

Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 20.9. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.

+£25,630
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
1.9×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£29,500
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£5,500 above a non-graduate (£24,000)

Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.

Job market & outlook

How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

89%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Medicine & Dentistry courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Medicine & Dentistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • The NHS
  • Private practice
  • Research & academia
  • Public health

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.0 out of 10: NSS 80.6% · in work or study 90% · continued 100%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

York St John University

All students12,150
International37.1%
Aged 25+31.6%

Medicine and dentistry across the UK

Students85,345
Aged 25+28.8%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around YSJ Main Campus

2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 714Anti Social Behaviour 546Shoplifting 353Public Order 133Criminal Damage Arson 121

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Medicine & Dentistry right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £14,900 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 96 - 111 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by York St John University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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