Course Comparison

Course
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Integrated Foundation Year BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Integrated Foundation Year
Award
Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons) Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)
Duration
4 years 4 years
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Full-time Full-time
Placement
(+ optional placement) (with placements)
Location
Plymouth Plymouth
Provider
School of Biomedical Sciences Peninsula Medical School
Entry requirements
Suitability interviews, DBS and occupational health assessments may also need to be undertaken by applicants considering progression to certain professionally recognised programmes.
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without science qualifications at level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (i.e. the equivalent of a grade C at GCSE level)
A level:Typical offer 32-48 points from a minimum of 2 A-levels including grade E in a Science subject. Excluding General Studies
GCSE:Mathematics and English language grade C/4.
International Baccalaureate:24 overall to include 3 at Higher Level science subject. English and mathematics must be included.
BTEC: PPP in a science related subject.
T level: Accepted – preference pathways would be Health or Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.
Access: pass an Access to HE Diploma (e.g science/combined studies/natural sciences/nursing).
Other qualifications and professional experience may be considered. Interview may be required, please refer to institution for individual consideration.
We are aware of the various education systems throughout the world and make offers based on equivalent qualifications to those listed in our entry requirements. You should be able to possess the ability to study in the English language and be familiar with this in a scientific context. To that end, we will ask for a minimum IELTS score; this will not differ from that required for any other science degree, and support in scientific English is offered.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. 
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.
Please note the following information concerning entry requirements for this course:
  • None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.
  • All applicants must meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements in order to be considered
  • We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2016 would still be valid when applying in September 2021.
Academic Entry Requirements
GCSEs
Applicants need to achieve GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) in the following subjects: 
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
Plus one of the below Level 3 qualifications
Level 3 qualifications must include the equivalent of one A Level in one of the following subject: 
Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.
GCE A level
A minimum of 2 A levels to include at least one pass in a Science subject.
BTEC Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma (13 units)
PPP in a Science related subject.
BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (8 units)
MP in a Science related subject.
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a relevant subject, such as Science, Combined Studies, Natural Sciences or Nursing.
International Baccalaureate
24 points overall to include English, Mathematics and one Science subject.
GNVQ and AGNVQ
Passes in Science subjects.
Other UK Qualifications
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without Science qualifications at Level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This programme is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications. Please note that the GCSE criteria outlined above, or equivalent qualifications, are essential.
Military veterans
Applications from military veterans are welcomed and each application is assessed on an individual basis, as we realise that some military courses are not externally validated.
Non-Academic Entry Requirements
For the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Integrated Foundation Year programme there are additional contextual entry requirements. All applicants, in addition to meeting or exceeding the published academic criteria above will need to meet a minimum of three from the following seven contextual indicator options: 
  • POLAR4
    Living in a low participation neighbourhood as determined by your postcode (POLAR4 quintiles 1 and 2).
  • Indices of Mass Deprivation
    Living in an area categorised as being in Indices of Mass Deprivation (IMD) 1–4 or 20% most deprived as determined by your English postcode. Northern Ireland postcode, Scottish postcode, and Welsh postcode.
  • School type
    Receiving schooling that is not paid for, for example by attending or having attended a state school, or attending or having attended an independent school that is fully funded by a scholarship whilst completing your level 3 qualifications. Receipt of scholarships must be evidenced by a school letter submitted at the point of application to meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • School performance
    Attending or attended a low performing school/college whilst completing your level 3 qualifications e.g. 16–18 performance in the ‘below’ or ‘well below average’ classifications. If you attend a secondary school or college in Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • UCAT
    Bursary entitlement to be evidenced by an official award letter or a school letter submitted at the point of UCAS application to meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • EMA or 16–19 bursary
    Bursary entitlement to be evidenced by an official award letter or a school letter submitted at the point of UCAS application to meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • Free school meals
    Being in receipt of free school meals whilst completing your level 3 qualifications – evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
  • In care/care leaver
    Being in care or a care leaver – evidenced by school letter submitted by applicant at the point of application to meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.
  • Returner to study after more than five years
Subject to the quantity and quality of applications received, the faculty reserves the right to refer to additional contextual indicators in order to select suitable applicants for interview. These additional contextual indicators could include being a Carer, Refugee, belonging to a Romany/Gypsy/Traveller community, or being a local resident in the South West of England. Please note this additional list is not exhaustive and is for indication purposes only. The contextual markers are weighted and this data will be used in order to select suitable candidates for interview
International Applicants
We welcome applicants from outside of the UK, however, you must be able to demonstrate that you meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements of this programme. 
International applicants need to meet the equivalent admissions criteria described for home students as outlined above. Applicants applying with overseas qualifications should contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:
If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent of a GCSE grade A/8 in English Language providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). 
  • GCSE or IGCSE grade A in English Language 
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 7.0 or above with no element below 6.5 taken within 12 months prior to entry. The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre.
We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International student advice also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.
Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.
Selection and admissions process
Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically the 15th January.
All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.
The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:
1. Shortlisting for interview– Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications and non-academic criteria alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants
2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, please see our medicine and dentistry selection and admissions process 
Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course
3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.
Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.
The University is supportive of students with special needs and disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to disclose any needs or disability so that appropriate adjustments can be made in learning support and their individual needs met. A comprehensive procedure is in place involving Student Services and the Admissions team to ensure that all applicants are treated equitably.
The Diagnostic Radiography programmes follow the guidance for Occupational Practitioners when providing adjustment for students in regulated professions.
The Faculty of Health has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The webpage associated with this committee has a link you can access for more information and support.
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise