The School of Biosciences has been formally accredited across its full portfolio of undergraduate programmes. These accreditations were awarded from both the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
The RSB, the leading professional body for biological sciences in the UK, re-accredited all of the School’s undergraduate courses1 for a further five-year period. Furthermore, the School achieved Advanced Accreditation for its Sandwich year programmes from the RSB2. These awards were given after the assessment panel identified areas of good practice and evidence that Kent’s programmes are preparing students with the knowledge and skills sought by sector employers.
Graduates of accredited courses receive one year of free membership from the RSB at Associate level, creating opportunities to build networks when applying for jobs and gaining enhanced recognition for their skills and experience. Together with the School’s outstanding graduate employability record, this is a huge benefit to those entering the working world of biology and life sciences.
In addition to the RSB accreditations, all of the School’s Biomedical Science degree programmes3 also achieved re-accreditation by the IBMS, the leading professional body for biomedical scientists for a further five-year period. IBMS accreditation certifies that the degrees meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of proficiency for biomedical scientists and allows Kent graduates to enter further training on the path towards registration. IBMS degree accreditation is also of value for students heading towards other careers, such as medicine, industry and academia. The curriculum review process involved in IBMS accreditation ensures that all Kent Biomedical Science graduates receive high quality, research focused scientific education and practical skills training.
Professor Dan Lloyd, Deputy Head of the School of Biosciences, said: ‘We are grateful to all staff, clinical colleagues and students who have contributed to this success. The professional oversight and scrutiny of accreditation is a measure of confidence that our degrees prepare our students for graduate-level opportunities. This undoubtedly underpins students’ future employability, and the ability for them to reach their full potential.’
Footnotes:
[1] Accredited courses by the Royal Society of Biology: BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with a Professional Year, BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons) Biology, BSc (Hons) Biology with a Professional Year, BSc (Hons) Biology with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Professional Year, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Year Abroad.
[2] Course with Advanced Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology: BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with a Sandwich Year, BSc (Hons) Biology with a Sandwich Year, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Sandwich Year.
[3] Accredited courses by the IBMS: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Professional Year, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with a Sandwich Year.