Entry requirements

Degree:

2.2 Honours degree (or predicted) in a relevant bioscience subject.

Further entry requirements may apply

Key facts

Study mode:

Full-time, Part-time

Start dates:

September (One year full time, or two years part-time)

Fees:

2027/28 tuition fees for UK students: £10,400

2027/28 tuition fees for EU and international students: £18,300

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Overview

Accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, this course will provide you with a portfolio of advanced knowledge and skills relevant to biomedical science in clinical and research environments.

You will integrate and explore the contemporary knowledge and understanding of disease pathophysiology, current and emerging diagnostic and monitoring procedures and therapeutic strategies in relation to human health and disease. You will be taught by a team of experienced research-active academic staff and practising biomedical scientists.

Leadership & Quality Management is also available as an important topic for the IBMS.

Benefit from the opportunity to choose optional specialisms from Cancer Biology, Nutrition & Public Health, Advanced Biotechnology and associated assessments.

Develop your transferable and employability competencies with the Advanced Professional Laboratory & Employability Skills module, for example additional laboratory skills, cv surgery, interrogating the scientific literature, critical analysis and critical writing.

This course is an ideal post-graduate progression route for graduates of a BSc. in Biomedical Science, Medical Laboratory Science or other relevant bioscience disciplines and will enhance your career prospects. This course will strengthen your expertise and enhance your chances to secure skilled laboratory-based roles, such as research scientist and Biomedical Scientist, working in writing and communication, or in scientific sales. Additionally, the course will give you strong basis for postgraduate research, leading to PhD or professional doctorates in Biomedical Science.

Subject to relevant further training, you may also progress as an HCPC registered biomedical scientist.

Institute of Biomedical Science Logo
  • Professionally accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science.
  • Developed in conjunction with local health trusts and taught by a team of experienced research-active academic staff and practising biomedical scientists ensuring your learning is relevant to current practice.
  • Benefit from major investment in state-of-the-art laboratories and specialist equipment.
  • An ideal progression route for graduates of Biomedical Science BSc or other relevant bioscience disciplines.
  • Develop advanced employability skills valued by the NHS and other employers in medical laboratory science and research.
  • Develop laboratory skills with research techniques and a 2-block full-time laboratory project.
  • Enables Health and Care Professions Council registered biomedical scientists to enhance their opportunities for progression within their practice.
  • Benefit from block teaching, where students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

What you will study

Modules

Anatomy & Physiology (15 credits)

This module will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology. The knowledge gained on anatomical structure will be complemented with functional knowledge through teaching on medical physiology topics.

Community Health (15 credits)

This module provides an in-depth view of community health, with a focus on populations and communities rather than individual patients. Content includes primary care, mental health and public health, with discussion on the impact of significant health issues upon local and national health services. 

Clinical & Professional Skills (30 credits)

In this module, you will develop key clinical and professional skills related to working as a Physician Associate. For example; clinical skills, history taking, physical examination, ethics, communication skills, professional guidelines and regulation, evidence-based medicine and inter-professional education. 

General Medicine (30 credits)

This module provides a systemic approach to learning about organ systems and clinical pharmacology. Content will include diseases and health conditions associated with major organ systems (e.g. muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, urinary, and digestive), and how they are treated. The role of the Physician Associate in therapeutics and prescribing.

Specialist Medicine (30 credits)

This module will equip you with a sound knowledge of different areas in the clinical setting, and the role of such specialisms in primary and secondary care. Content includes Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT (ears, nose and throat), Haematology, Neurology and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Practice-Related Project (60 credits)

This module involves completion of an independent (but supervised) evidence-based, practice-related project. The project will develop your ability to relate research concepts and topics to a clinical setting.

With the support of a clinical supervisor, you will identify a research question or area for development and design an original project that highlights potential solutions. You will also complete a clinical portfolio. While this module is not credit-bearing, it is essential for the qualification and eligibility to sit the Physician Associate National Exam (PANE), administered by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).

On successful completion of the exam, graduates are eligible to practise as a Physician Associate. The cost of the exam is covered by the applicant. All modules are compulsory and must be passed to achieve the MSc in Physician Associate Studies.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, discussions laboratory practicals. Amongst the assessment strategies for this programme there are critique essay, oral presentation, reflective piece, dissertation, oral viva, written examination, assessment portfolio etc.

You are encouraged to be a self-directed, proactive and independent learner. You will be expected to work in groups, deliver presentations, challenge and discuss ideas with academics.

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will offer pastoral support

Industry links and professional accreditation

The course has been developed in conjunction with local health trusts some of whom contribute to the teaching. Input from practitioners means that you will benefit from the insight into current practice in healthcare.

As an Institute of Biomedical Science accredited course, the content and teaching on the programme is regularly monitored and validated by the professional organisation for Biomedical Scientists in the UK.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Why choose DMU?

Your future career

Many of our recent graduates have progressed on to working as Biomedical Scientist practitioners, R&D laboratory analysts (e.g. pharmaceutical, healthcare and food companies), research coordinators, environmental scientist, scientific writers, or engaged with postgraduate research, leading to PhD or professional doctorates in Biomedical Science. (Data obtained from validated alumni records).

Subject to relevant further training, you may also progress as an HCPC registered biomedical scientist.

Careers and employability

An award-winning Careers Team, the #1 UK university for careers support (TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards, 2024), we provide you with all the support you need.

Our careers commitment doesn’t end at graduation. With DMU for Life, you’ll have access to lifelong career support throughout your entire career.

How we support you

Unlimited one-to-one careers coaching

Get tailored advice and guidance from our expert careers advisors whenever you need it.

Professional development programme

Boost your employability with workshops, bootcamps, training sessions, and employer-led events.

Inside Edge Mentoring

Connect with professionals from dynamic industries to expand your career insight, network and knowledge of the world of work.

24/7 access to digital employability tools

Access LinkedIn Learning, personalised CV feedback, mock interviews and more – anytime, anywhere.

Entrepreneurship support

Bring your business ideas to life with events, networking opportunities, expert speakers, workshops and links to funding opportunities.

Job search assistance

Get support finding part-time work, placements, internships and graduate jobs.

Employability projects and placements

Gain real-world experience through academic business consultancy projects or work placements (course-dependent).

Industry-informed teaching

Learn from real-world experience and academics, guest lecturers and business leaders who share their industry expertise.

Discover postgraduate careers

Fees and funding

UK and Channel Island students

2027/28 tuition fees for UK students: £10,400

EU and international students

2027/28 tuition fees for EU and international students: £18,300

Funding

Postgraduate Master's Loan (Student Loans Company)

A Postgraduate Master’s Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master’s course.

Funding for postgraduate loans is different if:

  • you normally live in Scotland
  • you normally live in Wales
  • you normally live in Northern Ireland

Find out more about a Master's loan

Additional postgraduate loans and grants

Sir Thomas White Loans Charity

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for 9 years from the Sir Thomas White Loans Charity for postgraduate study. Applicants must be resident in Leicestershire or Rutland for more than three years and be aged over 18 years old and under 45 years old.

Telephone number for Sir Thomas White Loans Charity: +44 (0)116 204 6620

Sir Harry James Riddleston Charity of Leicester

Applicants may be able to borrow up to £10,000 interest-free for five to 10 years for business, vocational or education purposes from the Sir Harry James Riddleston Charity of Leicester. You must be aged over 18 and under 45 and reside in Leicestershire or Rutland.

Telephone number for Sir Harry Riddleston Charity of Leicester: +44 (0)1858 463322

Educational grants, trusts and charities

Some educational trusts and charities provide small grants to help towards books, fees or equipment. There are several searchable online Grants databases such as Turn2us.

Funds for women graduates

Funds for Women Graduates offer grants towards living expenses for the final year of a PhD or DPhil for UK, EU or international students.

Going to university represents a real investment in your future and there is plenty of financial support available to students for both tuition fees and living expenses.

Find out more about funding

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the Kimberlin Library, and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from your myDMU login.

Some students like to purchase their own text books or print course documents and we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

All students are required to pay for their DBS check if required for your programme or placement.

In addition, students will be required to pay for their travel costs to placements or project locations.

All students are provided the opportunity to participate in DMU Global trips. These trips are subsidised by the University, and the cost and subsidy vary by location.

Scholarships

20% Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

This scholarship provides DMU graduates with an exclusive tuition fee discount of 20 per cent. The discount is available on selected full-time, part-time and distance learning postgraduate taught courses running across multiple start dates.

Read more about the Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship
20% Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

Global Access Scholarship

This scholarship rewards eligible prospective international students joining a postgraduate taught degree at DMU with up to a £3,000 fee reduction.

Find out more about the Global Access Scholarship
Global Access Scholarship

Entry requirements

Degree:

2.2 Honours degree (or predicted) in a relevant bioscience subject.

  • Minimum 2:2 Hons or equivalent in relevant bioscience subject
  • Experienced practitioners are encouraged to apply

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

If you are considering registering with the Health and Care Professionals Council as a Biomedical Scientist, you would need to achieve a minimum of the equivalent to level 7 of the International English Language Testing System, with no element below 6.5.

Key facts

Course title

Advanced Biomedical Science

Award

MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert

Programme code

B90074

Study mode

Full-time, Part-time

Study level

Postgraduate

Start dates

September

Duration

One year full time, or two years part-time

How to apply

How to apply for a masters degree

Save these details for your application
Programme title:
Advanced Biomedical Science MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert
Programme code:
B90074

You can apply using the DMU Application Portal. This method allows you to save, revisit and review your application before submitting it at any time of the day.

The following should be submitted with the application form:

  • Where required, one current reference on official headed paper or from a professional email address. This can be a work or academic reference and must be signed and recently dated
  • Copies of your academic transcripts
  • Copies of your degree or diploma certificates
  • Your personal statement
DMU Application Portal