A biomedical science degree from the University of Plymouth will prepare you for a range of diagnostic roles in pathology and research laboratories in the NHS and private sector hospitals. It also opens up opportunities in the commercial life sciences sector, for example in pharmaceutical, bio-pharmaceutical and medical technology organisations.
Biomedical scientists are regulated professionals and you will need to gain registration from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise in the NHS. This is achieved by completing the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) portfolio while working in an approved laboratory. Students at Plymouth have the opportunity to complete their professional registration as part of a 1-year placement at the end of their second year, leading to a degree in applied biomedical science. Alternatively, it is possible to complete the IBMS portfolio after graduation, while working as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist or perhaps as a laboratory assistant in the NHS. Such opportunities can be fiercely competitive.
Biomedical science is a strong foundation for a broad range of patient and non-patient facing roles in healthcare, including medicine, dentistry, healthcare science, nursing, allied health professions, public health and management. Medicine and dentistry are often popular choices, though students should be aware that the high academic and personal requirements of these programmes mean that it is wise to have a back-up plan. Emerging professions such as physician associate could also be worth exploring.
Graduates are also found in the commercial sector, for example in drug discovery, product development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, operations and sales. Those with an interest in data may wish to explore the growing field of informatics, where organisations seek to create value out of the wealth of data now available. A few graduates carve out careers in science communication through roles in the media, science policy or public relations.
Research-based careers are another pathway. This is a very competitive field, so exploring a wide range of options across higher education institutions, research institutes, charities and industry can be advantageous.
Researching your career options
With such a wide range of careers open to you as a biomedical graduate, it is important to make sure you explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed decisions about your future.
The following websites provide helpful information for career research:
Employment opportunities
Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth biomedical science graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as stepping stones to other roles by providing relevant workplace experience:
- Account Manager
- Accounting Associate
- Associate Consultant
- Associate Practitioner
- Biology Science Technician
- Biomedical Scientist
- Biomedical Support Worker
- Business Development Executive
- Cardiac Physiologist
- Central Nervous System Project Specialist
- Genetic Technologist
- Information Officer
- IVF Technologist
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Medical Technical Officer
- Multidisciplinary Biomedical Scientist
- Research Assistant
- Sample Analyst
- Science Teacher
- Scientific Officer / Labatory Technician
- Senior Cardiac Physiologist
- Software Support Analyst
- Specialist Cardiac Physiologist
- Trainee Biomedical Scientist
- Trainee Clinical Scientist
- Trainnee Perfusion Scientist
- Vaccines Sales Associate
Employers
- Altus Limited
- Alzheimer's Research UK
- Ashfield Healthcare
- Axiom
- Barnstaple Hospital
- Basildon NHS Trust
- Birmingham Children's Hospital, NHS
- Bishop Perowne High School
- Breno Cancellieri
- Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine
- Cambridge University Hospitals
- Cornwall Council
- Derriford Hospital, NHS
- Dorset County Hospital
- EY Global
- Frimley Park Hospital Trust
- Glow Green
- Liverpool Heart And Chest NHS Foundation Trust
- Manchester Foundation Trust
- NHS – Southmead Hospital Bristol
- North Bristol NHS Trust
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Bournemouth Hospital
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Saragossa
- Southwest Pathology Services
- Syneos Health
- UK Sports
- University Hospital Southampton
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Welsh Blood Service
- WH Smithing
- Woven
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys of 2017/18 and 2018/19. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 50 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.