BioMedical Sciences- Advice needed

Hi there

Can anyone tell me if you don't get into Medicine and you hence take up BioMedical Sciences and you end up with this degree, then do you have good career prospects in this field?

Are there many jobs in this field.

Sorry I don't know much about the career prospects in this field.

Also Is this your best choice if you don't get into Medicine.
In other words Does Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Sciences very better career prospects?? In nutshell I am looking to know what would be my best choice if I don't get into Medicine (which I can put as 5th choice in UCAS application)

Thanks very much

Best regards
Nomita

Reply 1

hassyrocks

I have applied for bio med science as well. I am not either sure of the career prospects. People say it's very low wages job like 25 grandish. Yo work in labs testing people blood samples ? Seriously I don't know, how bad this would be ? We be called blood checkers ??

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Reply 2

Going_To_California

I've just finished biomed, and a lot of people in my year have gone on to do jobs that you don't specifically need a science degree for. Many people have gone on to further study, but with just a BSc there aren't loads of obvious career prospects. A year in industry is a big advantage I think, but not everywhere offers it.
Also, you can become a biomedical scientist with the NHS, but only if your degree is accredited, so it may or may not be an option.

Reply 3

nomita

Thanks for the information.

You mention that the course must be accredited??

What do you mean??

How do you find out if the course you are joining is accredited??

Is the course B100 http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/medicalsci/medicalsci/ accredited??
How to find out.

I will appreciate your help

Cheers
Best regards
Nomita

Reply 4

JadeN92

Original post by nomita

In order for you to work in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist, your degree will have to be accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and you can find the list of accredited courses here.

https://www.ibms.org/go/qualifications/ibms-courses

The course you posted a link to isn't accredited but that just means that you won't be able to work in the NHS without having the IBMS evaluate your degree first in order to get accreditation.

If you don't plan on working within the NHS and instead want to go into other related fields like medical research etc. then this degree would be fine :biggrin:

Reply 5

nomita

Original post by gapyearstudent

Thanks very much for this information

Best regards
Nomita

Reply 6

ana_ducu

But what can we do in order to get the accreditation needed besides undergoing an IBMS accredited one?

Reply 7

topgear1987

I laughed a lot at the 25k low wage comment above. People live on 15000 a year and less and I would have sold body parts to earn that level of money in the past couple of years.... I don't think even junior doctors earn that much till later!!

Had I done everything again I would have chosen Biomedicine over my undergraduate degree - I just didn't know enough at the time and nobody told me. Had I not gone into medicine this year, biomed careers was the route I was going to take - I would have been happy in that role and im confident I could have done really well, certainly gone past 25k eventually.

If I was doing Biomed I would chose a degree that is IBMS accredited. If theres an option to do a year in industry I would absolutely take it. Accredited degrees allow immediate registration with IBMS and then eligibility to apply for trainee positions to complete registration with HCPC to act as fully registered biomedical scientist in the NHS. I found most private companies also want at the least want BMS accreditation with most specifying HCPC registration. Going back to the low wage comment, salaries at this level are very well paid.

Degrees not recognised by the BMS accept independent applications and you have to supply your academic history. From my friends experience (similar background to my own) despite studying Biomed and an MSc was advised to complete two modules at an accredited institute. She did tell me after doing MSc the undergraduate topics were easy to fly through. That and the fact she could work with no problem allowed she could save.... Now she completed IBMS accreditation she can apply for trainee positions which are competitive, but these days, so is a job at Tesco, which unless your management wont pay more than 25k.

The graduate scientist trainee programme like UCAS to medicine is ridiculously over subscribed and there aren't many opportunities available - maybe 80 training positions a year? This is a three year programme where you complete a portfolio ahead of HCPC registration blah blah blah but it is paid (not yet 25k) and leads on to a career - most likely where you completed your training contract as that will be where the Trusts wants you.

There are other routes which is the way I was going to do it by applying to Medical Laboratory Assistant positions. Yes this works in the medical labs. Yes you might be called a blood dude, and yes they rarely pay more than 15k. That is still a liveable wage, but essentially, you have to do your research first to which Trust you apply to (not all NHS Trusts offer training contracts despite all this) and then jump on those opportunities.

I found some trusts were more cloak and dagger and others were really helpful and reassuring and I was committed to this pathway, though cancelled my interviews as my med school offer came though - an offer I could not refuse.

Its a long hard slog but I think definitely worth it, especially if you love life sciences. You can reach consultant level after years of progression (much more than 25k).

Honestly when I started uni I had the preconception about biomedical sciences which people need to lose. Im certain had I done it first by now I would have a stable, rewarding and well paid job. I only got where I am now because (arguably stubbornly I refused to take no for an answer) and kept applying. Otherwise I might have had to continue stacking shelves earning far less than 25k :frown:

Reply 8

University of Bradford

Official Rep

Hi Nomita

To answer some of your questions...Biomedical Sciences is a good back up if you miss out on medicine. Biomed will give you a solid grounding in the sciences from which you can specialise in a particular area if you wish.

It's best to choose a programme that has IBMS accreditation because you can then work in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist. For example at Bradford our Biomedical Sciences course has IBMS accreditation and can lead to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Students who complete the IBMS portfolio during an NHS placement will be issued with a Certificate of Competence by the IBMS - this will allow the holder to become a registered Biomedical Science Practitioner.

Aside from this, Biomedical Science opens doors to many other careers. Here are profiles of some of our graduates which might help you make a decision: http://www.brad.ac.uk/life-sciences/medical-sciences/ug-profiles/

You should also have a look on the NHS Careers pages here: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/healthcare-science/careers-in-healthcare-science/careers-in-life-sciences/biomedical-science/

Hope this helps

AM

Original post by nomita