Biomedical Science at Lancaster University?

people who are studying biomedical science at Lancaster right now, what is the course like and are you enjoying it?
specifically:
- is it interesting?
- what are the labs like? what type of practicals do you do?
- is it hard and time consuming? do you understand the course or does it take a lot of extra time outside of lectures to understand the course?
- are you thinking of doing a master’s degree after?
- in your opinion, what’s the best part about the course?

thank you!!

Hello!
I'm studying a course what is very similar to Biomedical Sciences - I'll outline the differences for you! Biomedical Science is an accredited degree which will allow you to go straight into working in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientists after graduating. This does mean however there's not a lot of flexibility (none until third year). My degree is similar but it's not accredited and I'm able to have a lot of choice - however I've chosen essentially the same modules as you'd study doing Biomedical Science (but they tend to be the most interesting ones anyway!). Let me know if you have more questions about accreditation.
- yes it is! you'll study a variety of things and I can't think of anything that hasn't seemed relevant in some way. Everyone has topics they love and hate and you'll have to do a bit of both, but if you enjoy Biology A Level (if you're studying it), then you'll learn more about a lot of the topics, and learn about a lot of new topics. Note though there's no evolution side of things on this course.
- Normally we have 3 labs/workshops a week in first and second year and 2 labs/workshops a week in third year. During the labs you normally get given a protocol (usually posted online to read before you come), and you work in a pair to get through everything. Often the run from one week to the next. You work at your own pace and leave once you're done. They take on average 2 hours but sometimes as little as 1 or as long as 4. There's PhD students and lab technicians to help you as well as the lecturer. Often you'll have to do some sort of coursework analysis based on the labs. You'll do biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology and genetics practicals - all of which have different skills. It's intimidating at first but you'll become a lot more comfortable over time, especially after doing your projects at the end of second year.
- In first year you'll have more lectures but your exams will be multiple choice (unless they change it), so you'll have a lot of contact time but not expected to be doing loads of extra work outside of lectures (just learning content and doing coursework). However by third year you have much less contact time but you'll be expected to be reading outside of the course and doing your own research into literature etc. It is a hard course - I think it's recognised as one of the hardest courses. You'll have to write essays and be performing data analysis. BUT, you'll get through it, the lecturers and other students will always be there to help. Most people are on 2.1s and 1sts. I think people struggle with the volume of content as oppose to it being difficult.
- I'm not doing a masters - I'm applying to medical school! But a fair few people are doing the Biomedicine masters or applying to masters elsewhere. It will definitely facilitate you to study lots of different masters.
- My favourite part hmmm. I really enjoyed our dissertation projects, it was so great to have control over my own project and see it from start to finish, despite how stressful it was.
Let me know if you have anymore questions
Charlotte
3rd year Biological Sciences with Biomedicine

thank you so much for this!! you’ve been a big help.

a couple more questions:
1) how many people get NHS placements every year and does the uni help with them or is it entirely independent?
2) are the lectures in big halls or smaller classrooms?
3) do you get tested after every module or is there one big exam at the end of the year? if you do get tested after every module, does it count towards your final grade?
4) how much does coursework count? and is it just lab analysis or other types of coursework too?

general questions:
1) is it expensive living in Lancaster
2) how loud / quiet is the university and surrounding city? (i’m from London and really want to experience a quieter place haha)
3) what are the best things about Lancaster in your opinion? also what are the best things to do / places to go?

i really can’t wait to start biomedical science. it’s all the best parts of biology without the boring parts like
plants and evolution. right now i love learning about the kidneys, liver, hormonal communication etc. but i dread plants, biodiversity, classification and that so i can’t wait to really get into the topics i enjoy!!

thanks so much again

Sorry this is late, did you have to do an interview to get an offer or just the application??
Is there anything on plants or biodiversity etc at all because i hate it XD?
I do chemistry and biology a-level atm with psychology, how much chemistry is in the course (and is it organic or physical chemistry) compared to biology because I really enjoy organic chemistry?

Hi I'm planning to study my Msc in Uk and I'm considering Biomedicine at Lancaster. Do you have any tips on maybe the course strength, past students opinions, lecturers attitudes and the available lab facilities? Thanks