Key information
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 from 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include 80 UCAS points in specific subjects
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
If you work in a supporting role in a pathology lab environment and want to register as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), this four-year, part-time BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science degree apprenticeship is for you. You'll study alongside your existing job, and won't need to pay anything towards your course fees.
When you complete the course successfully, you'll be eligible to apply for registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You'll have a vital, in-demand skill set, opening paths to roles from diagnosing illnesses such as COVID–19 to establishing whether a patient and donor are compatible for transplantation.
Course highlights
- Learn about the main pathological disciplines, including haematology, blood transfusion, microbiology, clinical biochemistry, histology and immunology
- Develop your skills in interpreting data in a laboratory context
- Have the opportunity to apply for membership to the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), opening up a further portfolio of training courses, and the potential for future professional advancement
- Improve your communication skills in scientific and analytical writing, learning how to communicate complex scientific concepts to a broad audience
- Earn a degree qualification while you work, with the Government and your employer covering your tuition fees
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Accreditation
This degree apprenticeship course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), the professional body for Biomedical Scientists.
IBMS accreditation ensures that you learn the knowledge and skills you need to meet the Health and Care Profession Council (HCPC) standards of proficiency for Biomedical Scientists.
I'm an employer interested in this degree apprenticeship for my staff
There's more information for you about degree apprenticeships on our information for employers page, or you can contact us directly.
If you have an employee, or employees, in mind, that's great; if you are creating a new opening, we can help you shape and promote the role.
Contact information
Contact Degree ApprenticeshipsEntry requirements
Applied Biomedical Science (Degree Apprenticeship) entry requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 from 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include 40 points from Biology and 40 points from a second Science subject or Mathematics. For A levels which include a separate science practical component, a pass is desirable and may strengthen an application.
- All applicants to the Degree Apprenticeship courses must have an acceptable Level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics.
- Acceptable qualifications include GCSE with grade C/4 or above and Functional Skills with Pass - please note that we are not able to accept all kinds of Level 2 qualifications, so if you are unsure whether you have a suitable qualification please get in touch.
- If you do not have an acceptable qualification you will be required to take an additional assessment during the application process.
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 29
Selection process
- All applicants will be required to complete a Skills Gap Analysis before completing an application form.
- All applicants will be invited to attend an academic interview and may be asked to submit a portfolio of work or undertake additional assessment.
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Values and the NHS Constitution
We embed the principles and values of the NHS Constitution in all our health and social care courses. When you apply for this course, we’ll expect you to demonstrate how your values align with the values of the Constitution.
You and your employer
When you begin studying for your degree apprenticeship:
- You need to be 18 or over
- You should be able to satisfy government requirements on residency:
- you must be a citizen or have the right to live in the UK/EEA
- you must have been a resident in the UK/EEA (not the Channel Islands or Isle of Man) for a minimum of 3 years
- you must not need a Student Route visa, and must not have been on a Student Route visa within the past 3 years
- You need to have the right to work in the UK, and to spend at least 50% of your working hours in England
- Your job should meet the requirements of the apprenticeship standard relevant to this degree – we can advise you and your employer on this
- Your employer needs to have registered an apprentice service account – we can help your employer with this if needed
If you aren't currently working in a relevant field, you can apply for a job and degree apprenticeship simultaneously. Read more about applying for this degree apprenticeship.
During the first year of the Applied Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship, I feel I can already apply my newly gained knowledge to my working role in the microbiology laboratory. I have enjoyed attending the campus for lectures, practicals and to use the wide array of facilities on offer, including the well-stocked library.
Your facilities
Pharmacy and Biomedical Science Teaching Centre
Practise the skills needed to diagnose and help people manage diseases, including collaborative microscopy - examining 3D microscopic images on a big screen with academics and other students.
Pharmaceutics Laboratories
Develop a better understanding of the causes and consequences of diseases in these labs, as well as the skills and expertise needed to develop and test new drugs.
Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare
We're exploring disciplinary boundaries to discover, understand and develop knowledge for the benefit of the environment and humankind.
Biophysical laboratories
Use professional-standard equipment to explore how the structures and functions of molecules change under different conditions.
Careers and opportunities
Whether it's processing tests for diseases such as coronavirus or providing diagnosis services to GPs, accident and emergency departments and other health services, registered Biomedical Scientists play a key role in public health.
They analyse fluid and tissue samples from patients in order to identify diseases or evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments. In fact, more than 70% of NHS diagnoses are based on lab findings by biomedical scientists, so it's a profession that's always in high demand.
When you graduate, you'll be ready to work in a Band 5 Biomedical Scientist role in areas such as:
- Main pathology disciplines, such as haematology, biochemistry, blood transfusion, microbiology, histology or immunology
- Molecular medicine
- Genetics
- Government and professional research
With further training and experience, this qualification allows progression to roles such as:
- Section leader
- Laboratory manager
- Consultant Biomedical Scientist
You'll also be able to continue onto qualification routes such as:
- Master's
- PhD
- Professional Doctorate
- IBMS professional qualifications
- The Scientist Training Programme (STP)
Apprenticeships have been invaluable in future-proofing our workforce by allowing us to grow our own. Apprentices have gained cross-discipline knowledge and discipline specific skills which have helped develop their specialist knowledge, bridging gaps between their current role to those required of a Biomedical Scientist.
I’d been an Associate Practitioner for 10 years, and an Medical Laboratory Assistant for 14 years before that, so I had a lot of experience working in an NHS Microbiology department. When the opportunity to study and become a qualified Biomedical Scientist was presented, I didn’t hesitate.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits. You'll study modules worth 360 credits over 4 years.
What you'll study
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
In this module, you'll cover the structures and functions of biologically important molecules, metabolic biochemistry, basic microbiology, molecular biology, genetics and inheritance. You'll also explore basic anatomy and physiology of major body systems (excluding the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and sympathetic nervous system).
You'll develop your skillls in maths, laboratory practice and relevant software in this module, ready for your university study. You'll also reflect on your practice throughout the module, and polish your report-writing skills for your study career.
It provides an overview and important grounding in the pathological disciplines and 'sets the scene' for Pathological Sciences 2 and Pathological Sciences 3 modules. An important part of this module will involve becoming aware and confident using terminology associated with each discipline and recognition of the fundamental principles in each of the studied areas. You will learn how to represent the role in healthcare of studied pathological disciplines creatively, about career progression routes and the importance of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) for the course accreditation and Biomedical Scientist registration.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
Study how different immune system components work cooperatively to eliminate infections and analyse immunodeficiencies, hypersensitivities and inflammations through clinical scenarios.
You'll explore acute and chronic wound healing processes and and learn the uses of correct clinical tests to support diagnosis. You'll gain solid understanding of the role antibodies play in safe blood banking practice and how the manipulating the properties of these antibodies can be used in healthcare.
Finish with an advanced knowledge of normal and abnormal immune function, and enhanced skills in critical thinking, laboratory techniques and data analysis.
The module aims to provide an underpinning knowledge of the theoretical aspects of laboratory instrumentation, working with laboratory equipment day to day (e.g. IQC) and equipment maintenance. This module further aims to allow application of this knowledge to a highly automated laboratory setting and prepares you by contextualising the role of laboratory machinery with clinical practise in mind.
You'll explore the structure of the NHS and how areas can be under local jurisdiction and how other fall under NHS England's umbrella. You'll examine how services are selected and how the quality of that service provision is guaranteed. You'll look at controls, licencing and accreditation, how services can be changed and the process of doing so. You'll also look at how laboratory organisation plays into this, who leads teams, and who can undertake the process of change control. You'll look at the theory of auditing, the roles that audits have in laboratory practice as well as investigation of incidents or near misses Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and classification of CAPA (corrective action, preventative action).
You'll interpret laboratory data while discussing associated biochemical, microbial and physiological processes. And you'll learn to understand the links between symptoms, diagnoses and treatments.
After completing this module, you'll have learned integral skills for advanced clinical practice, essential for Insitute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accreditation.
The aim of the module is to demonstrate how you have responsibilities which will grow in scope as you become a laboratory leader, and the legal and ethical framework that surrounds Biomedical Science practise.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
It will examine NHS and laboratory structure as well as overt differences in scope of practice for various employees. As an element of this, roles and responsibilities will be looked at from a perspective of running the laboratory. The module will look at team working and how it can be facilitated to ensure the smooth operation of the laboratory and treatment of patients. As such, you'll be required to undertake an audit and demonstrate your plan for resolving issues.
Undertake in depth study of a variety of cellular processes and how defects in these processes can lead to malignancy, and mitochondrial disorders.
Examine how genetic lesions underpin the pathophysiology of selected disease states and consider the diagnosis and treatment of selected genetic diseases.
You'll develop your knowledge and critical thinking through a face to face learning and guided online activities, and continually monitor your subject understanding through formative assessments (e.g. knowledge check quizzes).
You'll develop your knowledge of infectious, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, transplantation, nutrition and disease associated with free radicals, and toxicology. By exploring these, you'll learn how pathologies initiated in one system can have deleterious consequences for other systems within the same organism.
In Professional Practise in Biomedical Science (DA), the module will look at NHS structure including how money is moved between departments and the role of quality, continuous improvement and analysing the role of different grades of staff within the laboratory to show how different people contribute to the smooth running of the department and provision of service for end users.
Core modules
All modules in this year are core.
It will examine laboratory structure and the biomedical scientist's role within the laboratory structure. The taught aspects of the course will look at the NHS's leadership model both from a senior laboratory management and mid management level. How your behaviour as a biomedical scientist can impact those around you and either cause or alleviate conflict. The assessed element of the module looks at your journey throughout your four year learning journey. This coursework is designed to demonstrate how you have met the apprenticeship standards through your whole apprenticeship.
You'll develop your knowledge of the haematological malignancies, their molecular and genetic basis, diagnosis, classification, prognostication and treatment.
You'll consolidate your understanding of blood transfusion, focusing on the genetics of the ABO and Rh blood group systems, the production of blood components and their safe use in clinical practice.
Apply your knowledge of applied human physiology in the context of clinical biochemistry by exploring the causes, consequences and investigation of disorders within renal systems, including fluid, electrolyte and acid-base metabolism.
Broaden your understanding of microbiology and explore the effects of organisms through a systems-based approach. This includes topics topics such as skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal diseases, genitourinary tract infections, and central nervous system infections. Additionally, you'll explore the mechanisms and applications of antibiotics and antimicrobial substances.
Finally, explore histology considering a variety of cellular techniques for the production of cytological preparations, the appearance of the nucleus in health and disease, and visualisation of cellular features using confocal and electron microscopy.
Work with your employer and university tutor to develop a suitably clinically relevant project using the skills you developed in the Research Methods module. Keep up to date records of your progress with your research and ensure you have considered all ethical and health and safety aspects of your research prior to the initiation of the practical element of your research. In order to complete this module, you are required to undergo and successfully pass their End Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA is a mandatory requirement of the degree apprenticeship and, in part, tests your conduct, performance and understanding in relation to your project. The EPA consists of three components that are taken on the same day as part of the same assessment event with the same Independent Assessor. You must achieve a pass, or better, in each of the three components to successfully complete the EPA.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Teaching
Teaching on this course includes a mix of face-to-face and online activities, such as:
- face-to-face seminars
- workplace training sessions
- work-based practice and proficiency testing
- recorded online lectures
- online extension activities
- online self-assessment quizzes
- case study analysis
How you're assessed
You'll be assessed through:
- written exams
- multiple choice assessments
- interpretation of case studies
- portfolios of work
- written evidence sheets
- learning contracts
- short video documentary productions
- proficiency testing
- final year research project
- IBMS registration portfolio during years 3 and 4
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
How you'll spend your time
You'll study for around 25 hours a week, which includes teaching time, independent learning, and scheduled sessions that make up your training at work.
In your first three years
You’ll spend one day or two days (alternate weeks) at the University during term-time.
In your final year
You'll begin your final project during the summer break, and attend University for one day a week during term-time.
The days of the week that you spend at University will vary, but they'll be the same days of the week each year so that you can plan your study time around your working routine and other commitments.
Overall, you'll spend about 20% of your time on activities that contribute to your degree apprenticeship, including training for the new responsibilities you may be assigned as your role evolves over the course of your degree.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll get a workplace mentor who's there to support you during your apprenticeship. They'll understand your workplace responsibilities and help you to balance your workload in your workplace and in your studies
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study in one-on-one and group sessions.
They can help you:
- master the mathematics skills you need to excel on your course
- understand engineering principles and how to apply them in any engineering discipline
- solve computing problems relevant to your course
- develop your knowledge of computer programming concepts and methods relevant to your course
- understand and use assignment feedback
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
From the start to finish, I was supported at work with study days and extra training. But, more importantly, the level of study and pastoral support provided to help me succeed was paramount. My mentor was really understanding of my recent ADHD diagnosis and where my assessments showed I would benefit from extra time for exams to take the pressure off.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
The course fee is shared between the Government and your employer (£27,000 paid over 4 years), meaning no cost to you as the degree apprentice.
Please see our Degree Apprenticeships page, or contact us, for further information about the EPA.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each modules.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You'll need to cover the cost of travel to the university.
Apply
Application deadline
- The application deadline to start in September 2025 is to be confirmed.
Applications received after this date may not be considered.
I'm applying with my current employer
If you're already in full-time work, and your employer is interested in you studying this course, get them to contact us and we'll work out how to work together.
If your employer isn't interested yet, you might find it useful to share our information for employers page with them.
Employer contact form Information for employers
I'm looking for a job with a Degree Apprenticeship role
If you're not in full-time employment, or your current employer is not interested in degree apprenticeships, you'll need to find a role that does offer a degree apprenticeship. You can search the gov.uk list of open degree apprenticeship vacancies, or contact us with your details and we'll let you know when degree apprenticeship vacancies come up.
When you apply for a role that includes one of our degree apprenticeships, you'll follow the company's standard recruitment process for the job, while we assess your academic suitability for the course.
Search degree apprenticeship roles (gov.uk) Contact us
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.