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Biomedical Science and the useless degree in reality
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Luckily in most science degrees, you can be versatile.
Original post by SophieSmall
Completely depends what you want to do with your degree.
I'm taking Biomedical Sciences at uni, and I'm quite happy with my job prospects, the statistics of graduates from my uni being employed after 6 months of graduating is higher than I had expected.
I'm taking Biomedical Sciences at uni, and I'm quite happy with my job prospects, the statistics of graduates from my uni being employed after 6 months of graduating is higher than I had expected.
Hi is it fine if you can tell me what university you go to?
So I am looking forward to applying for a Biochemistry degree in a couple of weeks, but I am a bit torn between the different options, BSc, MSc and a year in industry with research. I have heard a lot that MSc and the year in industry are much better than a BSc on its own.
1. Could anyone guide me through the advantages of doing a MSc in terms of employability in research?
2. Alternatively, what degree option would be better if I were to go into forensic science afterwards?
1. Could anyone guide me through the advantages of doing a MSc in terms of employability in research?
2. Alternatively, what degree option would be better if I were to go into forensic science afterwards?
Original post by Sunshine98
Hi is it fine if you can tell me what university you go to?
Yeah sure, I got to LJMU.
Original post by Mi02
Thank u very much, that's really helpful.
I want to ask If I apply to non accredited uni first to do biomedical science and then do an accredited MSc degree to specialise. Is there a difference or it is same as applying to accredited uni?
Also, shall I apply to do three years with an industry year and then apply to do a master degree?
If u don't mind can I ask which uni u applied? Can u give me some advise on five choices? please! Thank u
I want to ask If I apply to non accredited uni first to do biomedical science and then do an accredited MSc degree to specialise. Is there a difference or it is same as applying to accredited uni?
Also, shall I apply to do three years with an industry year and then apply to do a master degree?
If u don't mind can I ask which uni u applied? Can u give me some advise on five choices? please! Thank u
Hi, sorry have been really busy lately! In the past week have been offered a job as specialist biomedical scientist and had to finish up my PhD (still not quite there but oh well).
So my advice would be to apply to a university that;
a) offers a Biomedical Sciences degree that is accredited by the IBMS
b) offers either the co-terminus or sandwich degree course (I think co-terminus is like part-time, you work in a biomed lab while also having day release to attend university or sandwich is what I did where years 1 and 2 are at uni, third year is a funded place in a biomed lab where you complete your portfolio and your fourth year is back at uni). Either of these options will allow you to complete the certificate of competence and register as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) when you graduate which is mandatory for working in this area.
You can optionally apply for the Healthcare Science degree, this is relatively new, but I believe it's a 3 year course that fast-tracks you to HCPC registration. Presumably is 4 years crammed into 3 with hospital placements throughout the time but I'm not sure about this area, they brought in this degree after I graduated.
Be warned - an MSc degree along with an IBMS-accredited biomedical sciences degree and the certificate of competence will not increase your chances of getting a job. The experience is more important at the early stage - getting your foot in the door by having both a biomed degree accredited by the IBMS and the certificate of competence means you can come straight out of uni and be a biomedical scientist, compared with others that will have to do top up modules or find an NHS lab that will take them. Also if you do the placement year with the university then you will have a better chance of choosing where you want to work. If you come out of university having to find a lab to train you then you might resort to accepting whichever discipline has an opening, be it histology, microbiology, haematology, genetics, biochemistry. Once you are a specialist - like me (biochemistry) you will find it very difficult to retrain as another specialist and will have to start at the bottom again.
if you want to do an accredited MSc then that's fine. It will no doubt help you in career progression but it's not necessary to get your foot in the door. Hospital trusts will pay for you to do a part time MSc later down the line if you show promise and it will help you so don't worry that you're missing out.
I know I'm really hammering it home with this but you can't do an MSc in order to make up for an unaccredited BSc biomed degree. It's the one huge thing I hear so often that people moan that they can't be biomedical scientists because they studied biomedical sciences at an unaccredited degree and therefore have to go through getting their degree assessed and topped up by the iBMS AND then have to try to find a lab that will train them so they can be biomedical scientists. Do it right the first time. An accredited MSc is different and is for career progression (you generally need one to become a manager/senior BMS but the IBMS also do their own qualifications in lieu of an MSc).
I went to the Uni of Essex, top 30 uni I think. Not sure if they do it any more but they/NHS paid my tuition fees and paid me to do the training year. I can't really advise on universities since they change all the time. Look at this link:
https://www.ibms.org/go/qualifications/ibms-courses
From there is a list of accredited universities you can apply to.
I hope that helps, message again if you need help!
STP OR BIOMEDICAL
I would be careful in doing a course that has lot more supply than demand and with master level students doing clerical and administrative and low level jobs. Please be wise to understand also that cyclical changes of supply and demand takes ages and is not worth doing it.
I would say becoming a clinical scientist is harder to get into but more worthwhile as you have the industry option of doing more with it. You can literally replace a band 5 person doing a job on a analyzer by someone with a sociology degree. I am serious and concerned that IBMS dosent sell the true facts and publish exact figures of employment AT graduate level.
Please on any month of day just type trainee biomedical scientist job onto the NHS jobs website and you will find one job maybe in 4 months or 6 months depending on how lucky you are and alongwith it 1000 applications+(HR SOURCE-NHS TRUST).
I wish you the best but you are making the wrong choice IN BIOMEDICAL. For many people who are in it its too late.. You have options..Dont dig your own grave! Take it from someone who has. Thanks
I would be careful in doing a course that has lot more supply than demand and with master level students doing clerical and administrative and low level jobs. Please be wise to understand also that cyclical changes of supply and demand takes ages and is not worth doing it.
I would say becoming a clinical scientist is harder to get into but more worthwhile as you have the industry option of doing more with it. You can literally replace a band 5 person doing a job on a analyzer by someone with a sociology degree. I am serious and concerned that IBMS dosent sell the true facts and publish exact figures of employment AT graduate level.
Please on any month of day just type trainee biomedical scientist job onto the NHS jobs website and you will find one job maybe in 4 months or 6 months depending on how lucky you are and alongwith it 1000 applications+(HR SOURCE-NHS TRUST).
I wish you the best but you are making the wrong choice IN BIOMEDICAL. For many people who are in it its too late.. You have options..Dont dig your own grave! Take it from someone who has. Thanks
I'm currently in my first year of Biomedical Science, and I've already started worrying about my future job prospects. Reading this thread has been very disheartening, and I am now more confused than ever about what I can do with my degree afterwards. On top of that, my university is not accredited so being able to work in an NHS lab seems very unlikely. Right now I really want to know what options I have - I'm always told about the transferable skills the degree gives you, but branching out to other fields would probably require further studying, having to take other courses and etc.
At the moment, I also feel like I don't have the motivation to get through university work, mainly because I don't have a goal insight, nothing to aim towards in the future. I think if I was able to decide on which career path I want to take on after my degree, and move in that direction it would motivate me a lot.
I would appreciate any advice on pathways I can take on after my biomedical science degree, especially if you know of people that have gone down those routes.
At the moment, I also feel like I don't have the motivation to get through university work, mainly because I don't have a goal insight, nothing to aim towards in the future. I think if I was able to decide on which career path I want to take on after my degree, and move in that direction it would motivate me a lot.
I would appreciate any advice on pathways I can take on after my biomedical science degree, especially if you know of people that have gone down those routes.
Do other things alongside your degree. Be proactive. Network. Make yourself competitive. Do all the other [insert buzzwords].
If u r just looking for a job..then hopefully u can find coz the field is more like a factory at the rate private companies driving it. But use transferable skills n if u can opt for or change course do that n fine tune ur skills to stp or further study coz any science field u take u need further study.. N if u r money minded, my god u hve chosen wrong field.. But b positive..u hv time to think n do as one person said..to do other things n keep urself focussed on better avenues if growth..
Does anyone know why UCL or IMPERIAL or CAMBRIDGE or OXFORD universities dont do IBMS accredited BMS degrees?
pointless! i am working with people with tons of experience.. please do your stp and work towards that instead of doing mediocre admin jobs like MLA work and and wasting your time and talent on things that are less than useful. tighten up your research skills. if you want me to be blunt, you want to do donkey work go by all means and do this action of thought you have suggested which all the graduates i know do anyways. it only ends up in mediocre results.
if you want to really shine, get a pHD and show yourself out from the rest. do your own research on this matter as well. an STP position also pays much higher at the end and has more reputation and renowned worldwide. all the failures who cant get into STP or medicine end up in biomedical. and if you really want to be useful. the whole field is getting automated and so a electrical engineering degree would do you more good as you will have more exposure to companies that pay higher as product specialists. ahh man i am sorry. i feel so sorry and sad to see young graduates wasting their talent.
sorry to be very blunt! but a reality check is needed.
if you want to really shine, get a pHD and show yourself out from the rest. do your own research on this matter as well. an STP position also pays much higher at the end and has more reputation and renowned worldwide. all the failures who cant get into STP or medicine end up in biomedical. and if you really want to be useful. the whole field is getting automated and so a electrical engineering degree would do you more good as you will have more exposure to companies that pay higher as product specialists. ahh man i am sorry. i feel so sorry and sad to see young graduates wasting their talent.
sorry to be very blunt! but a reality check is needed.
yes, i would recommened that and if you can get tht 1 year experience in a research sector it will boost your chances for STP as well. coz they prefer ppl who do real science than donkey work on some machine. and if you dont get into stp do the phd. and if you want to make real money get into the electronic side of things..or finance..
but just think logically..as more automation what happens? you would still need ppl but less of them..just see the manufacturing industry..tths wht pathology is transfoming into. private companies use you as workers..nhs has no money. you gota think the whole picture .you know most graduates dont think that..i am not saying all will be unsuccessful but ya there might be places..but why waste your time if you can get more money and experience in a more financially secure and more exciting job?
but just think logically..as more automation what happens? you would still need ppl but less of them..just see the manufacturing industry..tths wht pathology is transfoming into. private companies use you as workers..nhs has no money. you gota think the whole picture .you know most graduates dont think that..i am not saying all will be unsuccessful but ya there might be places..but why waste your time if you can get more money and experience in a more financially secure and more exciting job?
! its boring work mate.. after the initial euphoria all you are doing is baby sitting machines..or just making sure you can do A+B=c.
anyways thats all i can say..do your own research as well..and end of day u will think u will be different but after sometimes when you reach a level you will realise what i mean. its upto you end of day.
get a Phd, Get a Stp, get electronics, IT, or finance. if money is your primary motivator which will be when you get your own house etc etc in reality, you are in the wrong field. all i am saying is you have options open to you. explore and take risks. dont just settle for mediocre. majority of BMS stay where they are coz they will be hopeless in the outside environment, or some hve done only tht n knw tht, some too lazy for change, some n veryy few hve real passion(dont mistke tht for desire). N if u need inspiration watch a few episodes of dragons den! U think science is tuff, try getting ur own business running
anyways thats all i can say..do your own research as well..and end of day u will think u will be different but after sometimes when you reach a level you will realise what i mean. its upto you end of day.
get a Phd, Get a Stp, get electronics, IT, or finance. if money is your primary motivator which will be when you get your own house etc etc in reality, you are in the wrong field. all i am saying is you have options open to you. explore and take risks. dont just settle for mediocre. majority of BMS stay where they are coz they will be hopeless in the outside environment, or some hve done only tht n knw tht, some too lazy for change, some n veryy few hve real passion(dont mistke tht for desire). N if u need inspiration watch a few episodes of dragons den! U think science is tuff, try getting ur own business running
Original post by Bagsworth
Top unis aren't accredited by the NHS because top unis want graduates to stay in academia pursuing PhDs and MScs. There is a lot of Ire that Biomedical Science is a bad degree but it isn't. It has pretty much identical career prospects as any other biology biochemistry based degree. The difference is whether you want to work in an NHS lab in which case not only is BMS better but the 4 year degree with placement year in NHS lab is the best route you can take. BMS 3 year or other 3 year degree leads you to the precarious position of trying to obtain a trainee BMS position of which this year I've only seen one place advertised in London. You need both the BMS degree and certificate of competence gained as a trainee to register as a biomedical scientist. Top up modules take a while. The IBMS will assess your degree and see where you fall short. If you do biology then you have a big struggle as you will have to take modules in Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Histology, Pathology etc and pay out your own money plus try to find a trainee BMS position.
If you want to do medicine I'd advise you to try to get in now. Graduate entry medicine is even more competitive as you're vying for a place against older people with more experience, MScs and PhDs.
If you need any more help let me know!
If you want to do medicine I'd advise you to try to get in now. Graduate entry medicine is even more competitive as you're vying for a place against older people with more experience, MScs and PhDs.
If you need any more help let me know!
Not bad..a optimistic approach...always good to see the people from a different view point..
Original post by jockingclown
yes, i would recommened that and if you can get tht 1 year experience in a research sector it will boost your chances for STP as well. coz they prefer ppl who do real science than donkey work on some machine. and if you dont get into stp do the phd. and if you want to make real money get into the electronic side of things..or finance..
but just think logically..as more automation what happens? you would still need ppl but less of them..just see the manufacturing industry..tths wht pathology is transfoming into. private companies use you as workers..nhs has no money. you gota think the whole picture .you know most graduates dont think that..i am not saying all will be unsuccessful but ya there might be places..but why waste your time if you can get more money and experience in a more financially secure and more exciting job?
but just think logically..as more automation what happens? you would still need ppl but less of them..just see the manufacturing industry..tths wht pathology is transfoming into. private companies use you as workers..nhs has no money. you gota think the whole picture .you know most graduates dont think that..i am not saying all will be unsuccessful but ya there might be places..but why waste your time if you can get more money and experience in a more financially secure and more exciting job?
I forgot a major sector that pays ££££££ related to biomedical products.. SALES.. much higher wages n for ppl who like to have extra bonuses n car packages outside normal pay( ahem ahem no taxes in tht) ....sales in vitro diagnostic products boooming!!
Original post by 00clarky00
Hi sorry to bother you I know this was posted a while ago but I just got told about annex pay.So am I right thinking get paid like 21k before tax or have I got this wrong?
Thanks
Thanks
Lol....hilarious...anyone get the salary average a UK graduate makes and compare that to 21k or 22k starting salary...a decent arab translator gets 24k minimum basic..!!!!
Original post by queen-bee
I regret doing the degree and wasting all my money
Hi Queenbee
could you please tell me why you say that? Very strong words indeed and was wondering if you could tell us precisely the reasons why?
Original post by jockingclown
Hi Queenbee
could you please tell me why you say that? Very strong words indeed and was wondering if you could tell us precisely the reasons why?
could you please tell me why you say that? Very strong words indeed and was wondering if you could tell us precisely the reasons why?
I did it incase I ever wanted to do medicine and only because it interested me at the time. I couldn't wait to graduate
Original post by queen-bee
I did it incase I ever wanted to do medicine and only because it interested me at the time. I couldn't wait to graduate
Hi, can I ask u why didn't u change the course then?? Cuz I have applied to Biomedical Science with a placement year, that's because I don't know what else to do and also it interested me at the time. But since I read these comments on how hard to find a job and so on, I'm think I might change the course. Probably biochemistry, not sure though! Why don't u do PGCE course to become a biology teacher then??
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