I am currently studying BSc Biomedical Sciences at Roehampton, and approaching the end of my first year.
I would definitely recommend Roehampton to prospective students. Although Roehampton has been educating people for nearly 200 years, it has officially been a university for just over a decade. This is why some people have not heard of the university and assume that it is "bad". Roehampton is ranked the best modern university in London according to all three major UK league tables - the Complete University Guide 2016, the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016 and the Guardian University Guide 2016. In just one year (2015-2016) Roehampton overtook 27 universities according to the Complete University Guide 2016. The university is often compared with the nearby Kingston University. In the Complete University Guide 2016 Roehampton was ranked 38 places above Kingston!
So far, the experience has been great! The majority of my peers feel the same way. I have noticed that the people who dislike the course tend to put little or no effort into it, and then begin to complain after receiving poor results (they expect to be spoon-fed). My friends doing the same course at St. George's University London and the University of Kent, are having to put a lot more work in than I am, so I am very grateful. From speaking with 2nd and 3rd year students, I have learnt that the course improves each year, because the lecturers take into account feedback from students and their results.
The university is currently spending several millions of pounds on improving the facilities and services available to students. This includes 30 million pounds for a brand new library and student accommodation, which are currently under construction. In the short space of time that I have been here, I have already seen many positive changes take place. The lecturers are most definitely experts in their specific fields and as with all universities, some lectures teach better than others. It is very easy to make appointments with lecturers and academic learning advisors, who are very supportive.
Although the university is near some council estates, the grounds of the university itself are very nice (some of the best in London). There are several beautiful buildings like Parkstead House at Whitelands College, which looks over Richmond Park. Froebel college has its own lake with koi and swans and pretty water fountains. The laboratories are modern and are well-equipped.
The Biomedical Sciences course at Roehampton is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), so you do not have to worry about whether you are being taught the appropriate content for this course.
I have 5 x 2 hour lectures per week as well as a weekly laboratory session. There are also additional labs such as physiology labs, which take place less often. Some lectures are boring and many involve the lecturer reading directly from presentation slides. At the end of the day, they write the exams and so are including relevant information. From using the lecture content alone, I have been able to get a 1st (above 70%) in every assessment so far.
These are the modules which are studied in the first year of Biomedical Sciences:
Biometrics: Physiology, Statistics and Maths - (covers physiology, statistics and mathematics).
Biomolecular Science: Practical Methods - (covers laboratory techniques and procedures).
Cell Biology
Chemistry of Life
Human Disease
Human Nutrition
I have tried to provide an honest review and would strongly recommend that you attend an open day. Good luck wherever you choose to go.