BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science

Discover how biomedical scientists diagnose and treat diseases, by studying for a degree in Biomedical Science in our specialist laboratories in Cambridge or Peterborough.

As a biomedical science student at ARU, you’ll learn about the human body at molecular, organ and systems levels, and how to investigate and treat disease.

Our passionate, highly-qualified lecturers will teach you the latest findings about conditions such as cancer, diabetes, antibiotic resistance and haemostasis.

Biomedical science is an exciting and dynamic subject, where research is constantly leading to breakthroughs and medical advances that have an impact on the health and well-being of society.

In Cambridge, you’ll study in our state-of-the-art Science Centre, in lecture theatres and laboratories, where you’ll have the opportunity to use specialist equipment.

In Peterborough, our brand new Science Lab has been purpose-built to support this course.

Biomedical science is the field that underpins modern medicine. It’s always changing and developing, so it’s an exciting and rewarding subject to study.

We’ll begin by studying general biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology and cellular and molecular biology. Then we turn our attention to modern diagnostic techniques and learn about biomedical disciplines including haematology and transfusion science, clinical biochemistry, cellular pathology, medical genetics, medical microbiology and clinical immunology.

In your final year, with support from a supervisor, you’ll carry out a research project and explore an area of biomedical science that’s of particular interest to you.

There’s also the option to take a placement year as part of this degree, and gain valuable work experience.

Our three-year course in Cambridge is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science, setting you up for a trainee position in an NHS laboratory as a Health and Care Professions Council-registered biomedical scientist. Both our three-year and four-year (placement) courses in Cambridge are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. As well as preparing you for a career in biomedical science, they’ll equip you for further study in science or medicine. We are currently seeking accreditation for this course in Peterborough, from September 2022.

There's a limited opportunity to transfer to Year 1 of our MBChB Medicine degree, following the successful completion of your first year of Biomedical Science, application and interview.

ARU is an innovative global university with students from 185 countries coming to study with us. We've once again been named as one of the top 350 institutions in the world in The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 – and one of the top 40 universities in the UK.

Our community is incredibly important to us, and we're proud of the role we play in our cities and the wider region – including the positive effect on jobs and the local economy.*

Students, businesses, and partners benefit from outstanding facilities, which include our new School of Medicine in Chelmsford, and the Science Centre in Cambridge. Many of our facilities, activities, and events are open to the wider community.

Why choose ARU?

There are many reasons.

Ambition

We’re not only academically ambitious for ourselves but for our students.

We’ve been named one of the top 350 institutions in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, for the fifth successive year – and one of the top 40 universities in the UK. We're also listed in the Top 10 for social inclusion in The Times Good University Guide 2021.

Students are at the heart of our University, and we're delighted that our final-year undergraduates also rate their educational experience highly

Excellence

We were named as the UK’s leading university for education and sports science courses in the 2021 Guardian League Table. We're especially pleased to be one of the Guardian's top 20 UK universities for ‘Value added’, which measures how well we support our students, regardless of background, towards achieving their potential.

As well as this, our Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Silver award recognizes the quality of our courses and high levels of student satisfaction.

Collaboration

We’re a place where collaboration, research, and scholarly activity inform everything we do. Many of our courses are recognized by industry and a large number are professionally accredited, making our students career-ready.

Each year, we also help 2,000 businesses grow with interns, training, research, and collaborative programs.

Impact

We’re purposeful, challenging, and curious about our world. Our academic excellence has been recognized by the UK’s higher education funding bodies, with 12 areas classed as generating world-leading research. We deliver impactful research that tackles pressing issues and makes a difference, from saving lives to conserving water.

Enterprise

While our head is full of ambition, our feet are planted in the world around us. We pride ourselves on being as enterprising as we are innovative and nurture those qualities in our students, with mentorship, support, and start-up funding on offer through the Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy.

Enthusiasm

Our sheer can-do attitude sets us apart from others. We find that enthusiasm is infectious, letting the results speak for themselves and being the only UK university to be named a global 'rising star'.*

* Research carried out by Hatch Regeneris for the University and College Union, 2020

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014

* Higher education consultants Firetail, table published in the Times Higher Education, August 2016

Our History

Our story starts in 1858 when the art critic, patron, and philanthropist John Ruskin opened the Cambridge School of Art. The art school grew to become Anglia Ruskin University, shortened to ARU, and it’s still at the heart of our modern-day campus in Cambridge.

Becoming ARU

Over the years, a number of colleges and institutes have become part of ARU. They include the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (CCAT) and the Essex Institute of Higher Education (formerly the Chelmer Institute – itself formed from the Mid-Essex Technical College and the Brentwood College of Education). At first, these colleges combined to become Anglia Polytechnic, and then Anglia Polytechnic University in 1992.

A national and international presence

As well as our four main campuses, we have a number of partner institutions in the UK and overseas, giving you the chance to study for an ARU qualification near to home. The first partnerships were formed in the early 1990s.

Our International Office, set up in 1992, fosters further links and makes sure that our international students receive the support and information they need.

Courses

Our early expertise in the arts and education has broadened, and today we offer courses in computing and technology, engineering, law, business, economics, life sciences, and more.

We’ve been a leader in the field of health and social care since 1992 when nursing training was transferred from local health authorities to ARU. As well as our three highly regarded nursing courses, we train midwives, paramedics, operating department practitioners, and social workers.

Of course, the arts and education are still important to us. We train early-year professionals on our Chelmsford campus and at our partner college in Peterborough. Our MA Children’s Book Illustration is a world-renowned course that builds on the long tradition of the Cambridge School of Art. We’ve embraced 21st-century variations on our more traditional arts courses, too – including computer games art, and music technology.