Biosciences at Lancaster
Find out more about the Biosciences at Lancaster University.
Lancaster University’s MSci Biomedical Science is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). An IBMS-accredited degree, along with a training period in an NHS lab, represents a core route to employment in the NHS as a biomedical scientist.
The MSci is a four-year integrated master’s with three years of undergraduate study followed by a year of study at master’s level. The additional year of study and higher qualification can enhance your job prospects, or give you the experience to decide whether a research career might be for you.
The degree will provide you with a thorough grounding in the theory and laboratory techniques associated with biomedical science – a subject dealing with the study of life processes within the context of human health and disease. It is ideal for those with a broad interest in human life processes and disease as teaching places an emphasis on the molecules and mechanisms fundamental to life processes and how these are disrupted by disease.
The biomedical science MSci degree is designed to focus on the key aspects of modern day biomedicine. The course is highly-specialised and is taught jointly with clinical and biomedical staff from local hospitals. The course content is very structured and the majority of the modules are compulsory. If you would prefer a more flexible degree in this subject area, you might want to consider one of Lancaster University’s biomedicine degrees instead.
You will begin your biomedical science degree with the study of 15 wide-ranging modules, including Biomedical Science in Practice, Biomedicine and Society, and Diagnosis in Biomedical Science. In your second year, you will study subjects including Biochemistry, Cellular Pathology and Medical Microbiology.
In your third year of study, you will focus on aspects of human disease by studying modules on Cancer, Medical Genetics and Pathobiology. There are optional modules to select from in your third year, such as Neurobiology, Tropical Diseases, and Cell Signalling, Transport and Disease.
You will also carry out a laboratory-based project, drawing on the expertise of our academic staffs’ vast biomedical research experience. This includes research into skin, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers; Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases; arthritis and other human conditions and diseases.
In your final year you will gain additional practical skills by undertaking an extended project along with a variety of Master's-level modules. This experience will stand you in particularly good stead should you want to apply for subsequent research-based careers.
Our IBMS accredited BSc Biomedical Science is a path to employment as a biomedical scientist in the NHS. The degree can also open up research-based careers in the biochemistry of human diseases and conditions, as well as in biomedicine.
In addition to the NHS, there are many opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, with recent graduates employed by Glaxo SmithKline and ALcontrol Laboratories.
The transferable skills and analytical training you will gain during your biomedical science degree will allow you to enter science or diverse fields such as management, marketing and finance. You will gain practical skills such as laboratory competence and experimental design; numerical skills such as statistical analysis, data recording and presentation; and interpersonal skills such as team working, communication and negotiation.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
A Level AAA
Required Subjects A level Biology and one other science subject from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics
GCSE Mathematics grade B or 5, English Language grade C or 4
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.
International Baccalaureate 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in one further HL science subjects from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics
BTEC Only considered for entry to the BSc Hons course variant. Subject to academic progression and availability students can transfer to the MSci Hons course.
We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.
Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of applicants whose personal circumstances may have impacted their exam results.
Contextual offersDetailed module information for this undergraduate programme will follow shortly. However, if you have any questions please contact the department.
Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.
Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2024/25 are:
Home | International |
---|---|
£9,250 | £28,675 |
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.
In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
Fees are set by the UK Government annually, and subsequent years' fees may be subject to increases. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:
International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will be charged the same percentages as the standard International fee.
Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.
You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
Scheme | Based on | Amount |
---|---|---|
Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} | Amount {{item.amount}} |
We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
Explore what Lancaster University can offer you. From accommodation, study spaces, sports facilities, cafes, restaurants and more, we've got you.
Start your tour