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Are you interested in a career in the health services, in a pharmaceutical company or in medical research? Would you like to explore diseases like cancer or the response to infection? Are you intrigued to learn how medicines are discovered and how they work?
Overview
At Kent, you explore the biochemical processes that occur in the human body, look at how they change in certain diseases and how these diseases can be identified and treated. Graduates of our programme can put their scientific knowledge to practical use within medical healthcare.
Bioscience students who graduated from Kent in 2015 were the most successful in the UK at finding work or further study opportunities (DLHE).
Our degree programme
In your first and second years, you develop your skills as a bioscientist, covering areas including biological chemistry, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, human physiology and disease, and metabolism.
In your final year, your compulsory modules cover advanced immunology, haematology and blood transfusion, and pathogens and pathogencity. Your optional modules cover areas including the biology of ageing, neuroscience and cancer biology. You also complete a research project, which counts for a quarter of your final-year marks.
We give you extensive practical training and you spend up to two days a week in the laboratory.
Study facilities
We recently spent £2 million on our laboratories to ensure that you can develop your practical skills in a world-class environment.
In addition to the facilities in the School, you also have access to:
- the Templeman Library, which houses extensive print and electronic collections related to biosciences
- the Student Learning Advisory Service, which provides information on all aspects of effective learning and study skills.
Scientific community
Kent’s School of Biosciences houses biomedical science, biology and biochemistry students. With many shared modules in the first year, a community spirit quickly develops, and students learn with, and from, each other.
The School is one of the most active in biological sciences in the UK, with research funding at around £4.5 million per year. Our research feeds directly into our teaching, providing exciting and relevant final-year projects and ensures that you learn the most up-to-date science possible.
The School is renowned for its innovative teaching methods, which include:
- our science communication projects in which you learn how to share your scientific knowledge with the public
- new ways of using IT in lectures that allow the teaching to be captured and easily reviewed later
- high-quality animations developed by a member of our academic staff and available on YouTube that help to explain difficult biological concepts
- between 20 and 30 paid eight-week Summer Studentships each year, where students work in our own research labs in the summer vacation after their second year and gain further hands-on research experience.
We encourage you to work collaboratively and to attend external conferences and events. In 2015, a group of Kent students won a gold medal at the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Giant Jamboree in Boston following a competition involving 280 teams from around the world.
You can also join BioSoc, a student-run society for Biosciences students, which organises research talks as well as social events and is a great way to meet other students from the School.
Our professional links
The Biomedical Science degree programme is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), the professional body for biomedical scientists and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).
Our school collaborates with research groups in industry and academia throughout the UK and mainland Europe. It has excellent links with local employers, such as:
- the NHS
- GSK
- MedImmune
- Eli Lilly
- Lonza
- Aesica Pharmaceuticals
- Sekisui Diagnostics
- Cairn Research
- Public Health England.
Your options
Many students choose to take a year’s work placement in a research-based activity. You don’t have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions apply: see Biomedical Science with a Sandwich Year. It is also possible to take a ‘professional year’ where you acquire professional training in non-research areas.
We offer you the option to spend a year studying abroad. You are taught in English and previous destinations include universities in the US, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
And don’t forget – at Kent, you can always enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2016, Biomedical Sciences at Kent was ranked 3rd for the quality of its teaching. Biosciences at Kent was ranked 8th for course satisfaction in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Bioscience students who graduated from Kent in 2015 were the most successful in the UK at finding work of further study opportunities (DLHE).
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching includes lectures, laboratory classes, workshops, problem-solving sessions and tutorials. You have an Academic Adviser who you meet with at regular intervals to discuss your progress, and most importantly, to identify ways in which you can improve your work further so that you reach your full potential.
Most modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and end-of-year exams. Exams take place at the end of the academic year and count for 50% or more of the module mark. Stage 1 assessments do not contribute to the final degree classification, but all stage 2 and 3 assessments do, meaning that your final degree award is an average of many different components. On average, 26% of your time is spent in an activity led by an academic; the rest of your time is for independent study.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- instil a sense of enthusiasm for biomedical science, confront the scientific, moral plus ethical questions and engage in critical assessment of the subject material covered
- offer an understanding of scientific investigation of human health and disease
- provide a stimulating, research-active environment in which students are supported and motivated to achieve their academic and personal potential
- educate students in the theoretical and practical aspects of biomedical science
- facilitate the learning experience through a variety of teaching and assessment methods
- give students the experience of undertaking an independent research project
- prepare students for further study, or training, and employment in science and non-science based careers, by developing transferable and cognitive skills
- develop the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of professionalism, independent thought, personal responsibility and decision making in complex and unpredictable circumstances
- provide access to as wide a range of students as practicable.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the structure, function and control of the human body
- the main metabolic pathways used in biological systems in catabolism and anabolism, understanding biological reactions in chemical terms
- the variety of mechanisms by which metabolic pathways can be controlled and the way that they can be co-ordinated with changes in the physiological environment
- the genetic organisation of various types of organism and the way in which genes can be expressed and their expression controlled
- molecular genetic techniques and the causes and consequences of alterations of genetic material
- the structure and function of the main classes of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and polysaccharides
- the immune response in health and disease
- the structure, physiology, biochemistry, classification and control of microorganisms
- the main principles of cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology
- the microscopic examination of cells (cytology) and tissues (histology) for indicators of disease
- the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of analytes to aid the diagnosis, screening and monitoring of health and disease (clinical biochemistry)
- immunological disease/disorders
- the different elements that constitute blood in normal and diseased states (haematology)
- the identification of blood group antigens and antibodies (immunohaematology and transfusion science)
- pathogenic microorganisms
- the main methods for communicating information on biomedical sciences.
Intellectual skills
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
- to understand the scope of teaching methods and study skills relevant to the biomedical science degree programme
- the ability to understand the concepts and principles in outcomes, recognising and applying biomedical specific theories, paradigms, concepts or principles. For example, the relationship between biochemical activity and disease
- the skills for analysis, synthesis, summary and presentation of biomedical information
- to demonstrate competence in solving extended biomedical problems involving advanced data manipulation and comprehension
- integrate scientific evidence, to formulate and test hypotheses
- structure, develop and defend complex scientific arguments by understanding and applying your knowledge base
- the ability to plan, execute and interpret the data from a short research project
- recognise the moral and ethical issues of biomedical investigations and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- to handle, biological material and chemicals in a safe way, thus being able to assess any potential hazards associated with biomedical experimentation
- perform risk assessments prior to the execution of an experimental protocol
- to use basic and advanced experimental equipment in executing the core practical techniques used by biomedical scientists
- to find information on biomedical topics from a wide range of information resources and maintain an effective information retrieval strategy
- to plan, execute and assess the results from experiments
- to identify the best method for presenting and reporting on biomedical investigations using written, data manipulation/presentation and computer skills
- awareness of the employment opportunities for biomedical graduates.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- the ability to receive and respond to a variety of sources of information
- communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of formats and approaches
- problem solve by a variety of methods, especially numerical, including the use of computers
- the ability to use the internet and other electronic sources critically as a means of communication and as a source of information
- interpersonal and teamwork skills that allow you to identify individual and collective goals, and recognise and respect the views and opinions of others
- self-management and organisational skills
- awareness of information sources for assessing and planning future career development
- the ability to function effectively in a working environment.
Careers
You graduate with an excellent grounding in scientific knowledge and extensive laboratory experience. In addition to your subject-specific skills, you develop the key transferable skills sought by graduate employers, such as:
- excellent communication skills
- teamworking
- the ability to analyse problems
- time management.
Graduate destinations
Our recent graduates have gone on to careers including:
- healthcare in the NHS
- medical research based in academic, government, industrial and medical labs
- biotechnology
- teaching
- industry and commerce
- scientific publishing
- marketing
- information technology.
Help looking for a job
The School of Biosciences runs employability events with talks from alumni outlining their career paths since graduation.
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service, which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
For more information on the services Kent provides to improve your career prospects, visit www.kent.ac.uk/employability.
Independent rankings
Bioscience students who graduated from Kent in 2015 were the most successful in the UK at finding work or further study opportunities (DLHE).
According to Which? University 2017, the average starting salary for graduates of this degree is £18,00.
What our graduates say
“My final-year project was structured around the Cryogenic freezing of humans, which was very interesting.”
Bal Sandher
Biomedical Science graduate
Professional recognition
Our Biomedical Science degree programme is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB including Biology or Human Biology grade B |
| GCSE | Mathematics grade C |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to pass the Access to Higher Education Diploma with 36 level 3 credits at distinction and 9 at merit, and to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits in particular subjects at distinction or merit grade. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis. Typical offers when made are Distinction, Distinction, Distinction. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 points at HL including Biology 5 at HL or 6 at SL and Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.