Education and professional training in the biomedical sciences.
The programme provides graduates who possess an honours degree (or equivalent), partially acceptable to the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), with appropriate education and professional training in the biomedical sciences. The course enables students to top-up their current degree to a standard equivalent to a BSc in Biomedical Sciences acceptable to the IBMS for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as a Biomedical Scientist. Students who wish to take this course to gain registration should check with the relevant body (e.g. CORU) that it will meet their needs.
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Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
For the award of a Graduate Certificate, you must complete modules worth at least 60 credits:
Semester One:
Clinical Immunology (BMS525, 15 credits, level 6); Medical Microbiology (BMS524, 15 credits, level 6); Haematology & Transfusion Science (BMS514, 15 credits, level 6).
Semester Two:
Cellular Pathology (BMS527, 15 credits, level 6); Molecular Pathology (BMS510, 15 credits, level 6); Clinical Biochemistry (BMS516, 15 credits, level 6).
The course primarily caters for students wishing to become HCPC-registered Biomedical Scientists. However, as it provides a wide range of scientific modules in the biomedical science area, the course is suitable for anyone interested in supplementing their existing knowledge in this varied and exciting field.
The additional (optional) modules include:
Semester One:
Physiology and Anatomy of the Human Body (BMS120, 20 credits, level 4); Biology (BMS124, 10 credits, level 4), Biochemistry (BMS130, 10 credits, level 5); Molecular Biology and Genetics (BIO318, 20 credits, level 5)*; Medicinal Cell Biology (BMS104, 10 credits, level 4); Project in Applied Biosciences (BiO511, 15 credits, level 6)**.
Semester Two:
Research Skills (BiO509, 10 credits, level 6); Project in Applied Biosciences (BiO511, 15 credits, level 6)**.
*includes Clinical Genetics as per the IBMS requirements
**spans over two semesters, requires completion of BiO509.
Part Time - typically 1 year
This is a distance learning programme and can be started in September or January of each academic year. This course has a practical laboratory component which may be carried out within the student's workplace or by attending campus.
Students participate in an induction aimed at the effective online learning, focused on the Blackboard Learn virtual learning environment (BBL). Subject-specific tutors support students to engage in a range of teaching and learning methods. Students participate in BBL-posted online lectures, many of which are inclusive of problem-based interactive tasks. Through the University’s online libraries, students gain access to their directed reading, in the form of e-books and journal articles.
Students participate in tutor-supported online activities and discussions, and in online self-assessment quizzes. Those studying the Cellular Pathology, Clinical Biochemistry, Medical Microbiology and Haematology & Transfusion Science and Clinical Immunology modules are required to carry out a number of laboratory practical sessions. A student working in/having the access to an approved NHS training laboratory or equivalent can carry out all the practical sessions at his/her workplace. Otherwise, a student must attend Coleraine for practical sessions on three occasions, over 2-3 days per visit.
Students are assessed by a combination of Coursework and Examinations. Students undertake traditional written examinations, either at Coleraine or in their locality through the “Guarantor system” for Ulster University delivered modules. If a student opts to take his/her Ulster University examinations via the “Guarantor system” then s/he must nominate a line manager or professional to administer his/her exams under Ulster University specified conditions. Coursework includes essays, tests, critical reviews, plans, reflective statements, practical reports, journal based learning, case study reports, problem solving/data interpretation, and research papers.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Applicants must:
(1) Have gained an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council for National Academic Awards, the National Council for Educational Awards, the Higher Education Training and Awards Council, or from an institution of another country which is recognized as being of an equivalent standard or an equivalent standard in an approved alternative qualification
(2) Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent)
(3) Normally be employed as a biomedical scientist, trainee biomedical scientist or equivalent in a hospital or research laboratory or have access to similar medical facilities
As an alternative to 1 and 2, Applicants may provide evidence of their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
In this section
The course primarily caters for students wishing to become HCPC registered Biomedical Scientists.
Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).
Postgraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2025/26 fees will be announced in due course.
See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2024/25 entry.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
