The Student Room Group

Biomedical Science

Hi everyone, I'm currently doing my A levels. I originally took Biology, Chemistry and Computer science. I was struggling with chemistry as I had come to the UK only at the start of A levels and the chemistry here was really different from what I was studying back in Oman (C.B.S.E), then again because of COVID, I missed 2 years of school (online classes) and after coming to the UK in November 2021, I would not be entered into any sixth form as I was 2 months late, so I missed another year and because of that I lost all the base in chemistry and I had to start from scratch in Y12. Now in Y13, due to low grades in Chemistry, I won't be entered in for the Chemistry A level exam 😭, but I can write the computer science and biology papers. I am currently 19 years old, is there anyway to write the Chemistry paper separately ? I've currently got offers from Bangor and Plymouth, where they only require 2 subjects to enter biomedical science with a foundation year. I'm an international student, how long will I have to live in the UK to get home fees ? If I wanted to go abroad like say Australia or New Zealand, will having just 2 A levels prevent me from getting into a Uni ?

Sorry for the long essay, but I had questions I wanted to know the answers for. Thanks in advance.🙏
what do you mean by the chemistry here is really different, the way its taught or are you saying theres a different chemistry?

Do you have another thread on this or is that coincidental?

if the school have withdrawn you for examination that seems (seems) to be pretty big, did they give you an explanation?
Reply 2
Original post by wanga_wanga
what do you mean by the chemistry here is really different, the way its taught or are you saying theres a different chemistry?
Do you have another thread on this or is that coincidental?
if the school have withdrawn you for examination that seems (seems) to be pretty big, did they give you an explanation?

By different, I mean that the topics the kids here learn from lower years are different to what I've learnt since my lower years.
Yes, they said that my grades for chemistry is low so to help me get good marks in bio and cs they're gonna withdraw me from Chem.
Original post by Timothya
By different, I mean that the topics the kids here learn from lower years are different to what I've learnt since my lower years.
Yes, they said that my grades for chemistry is low so to help me get good marks in bio and cs they're gonna withdraw me from Chem.

ah OK,
how did this take so long to pick up by your sixth form/college,
Reply 4
Original post by Timothya
Hi everyone, I'm currently doing my A levels. I originally took Biology, Chemistry and Computer science. I was struggling with chemistry as I had come to the UK only at the start of A levels and the chemistry here was really different from what I was studying back in Oman (C.B.S.E), then again because of COVID, I missed 2 years of school (online classes) and after coming to the UK in November 2021, I would not be entered into any sixth form as I was 2 months late, so I missed another year and because of that I lost all the base in chemistry and I had to start from scratch in Y12. Now in Y13, due to low grades in Chemistry, I won't be entered in for the Chemistry A level exam 😭, but I can write the computer science and biology papers. I am currently 19 years old, is there anyway to write the Chemistry paper separately ? I've currently got offers from Bangor and Plymouth, where they only require 2 subjects to enter biomedical science with a foundation year. I'm an international student, how long will I have to live in the UK to get home fees ? If I wanted to go abroad like say Australia or New Zealand, will having just 2 A levels prevent me from getting into a Uni ?
Sorry for the long essay, but I had questions I wanted to know the answers for. Thanks in advance.🙏

Hi! My a second year biomedical student. Forgive me if i dont cover all the questions correctly but i will try and help! So i dont know about A Levels because i did a Access to higher education course instead. I took Biology, psychology & sociology. BUT im under the impression that because you havent met the criteria for the chemistry exam, then unfortunately i dont think you’d be able to take it. But again thats not the end of the world. You can still enter university starting from foundation year. The course with the foundation year depends on what you want to do really. The minimum is 4 years, where you will do a level 3 upto a level 6. OR if you wanted to do a placement year inbetween levels 5 & 6 you can but that will make it 5 years. If you are considering a degree in biomedical science then i would really consider the placement year & read up about it before committing to the degree. ALOT of students are unaware about it & it can be a make or break for people. Hope ive answered at least one of your questions! Good luck in the future!
Reply 5
Original post by Riobhca_eml
Hi! My a second year biomedical student. Forgive me if i dont cover all the questions correctly but i will try and help! So i dont know about A Levels because i did a Access to higher education course instead. I took Biology, psychology & sociology. BUT im under the impression that because you havent met the criteria for the chemistry exam, then unfortunately i dont think you’d be able to take it. But again thats not the end of the world. You can still enter university starting from foundation year. The course with the foundation year depends on what you want to do really. The minimum is 4 years, where you will do a level 3 upto a level 6. OR if you wanted to do a placement year inbetween levels 5 & 6 you can but that will make it 5 years. If you are considering a degree in biomedical science then i would really consider the placement year & read up about it before committing to the degree. ALOT of students are unaware about it & it can be a make or break for people. Hope ive answered at least one of your questions! Good luck in the future!

ALSO MAKE SURE YOUR UNIVERSITY COURSE YOU CHOOSE IS ACCREDITED BY THE IBMS!!! I cant stress that enough (i forgot this part) if your degree is not accredited then you will not be able to work in NHS laboratories and it is ALOT harder to progress. Bangor uni is but im not sure about your other option 😊
Reply 6
Original post by wanga_wanga
ah OK,
how did this take so long to pick up by your sixth form/college,

Basically, I was fine till end of Y12 (just pass) but in Y13 content gets really tough especially organic chemistry. We only have 2 terms before the main exam (2 mocks). So in the first mock it was really bad so they said that I need to get at least an E in the next mock. I tried hard but still fell short of 15 marks from E ( chem grade boundaries are extremely high!) so now they won't let me write the chemistry exam as they think I won't be able to get E, even though I told them I'm working harder (which I am) and that I am 100% sure I can get an E. Is there any way to write Chem separate ?
Reply 7
Original post by Riobhca_eml
Hi! My a second year biomedical student. Forgive me if i dont cover all the questions correctly but i will try and help! So i dont know about A Levels because i did a Access to higher education course instead. I took Biology, psychology & sociology. BUT im under the impression that because you havent met the criteria for the chemistry exam, then unfortunately i dont think you’d be able to take it. But again thats not the end of the world. You can still enter university starting from foundation year. The course with the foundation year depends on what you want to do really. The minimum is 4 years, where you will do a level 3 upto a level 6. OR if you wanted to do a placement year inbetween levels 5 & 6 you can but that will make it 5 years. If you are considering a degree in biomedical science then i would really consider the placement year & read up about it before committing to the degree. ALOT of students are unaware about it & it can be a make or break for people. Hope ive answered at least one of your questions! Good luck in the future!

My main intention for taking biomed was so that I can do medicine after the biomed degree. Thank you for your advice.
Reply 8
Original post by Riobhca_eml
ALSO MAKE SURE YOUR UNIVERSITY COURSE YOU CHOOSE IS ACCREDITED BY THE IBMS!!! I cant stress that enough (i forgot this part) if your degree is not accredited then you will not be able to work in NHS laboratories and it is ALOT harder to progress. Bangor uni is but im not sure about your other option 😊

Thanks, I will confirm. I also got offers from USW, but they need Chemistry.
Original post by Timothya
Hi everyone, I'm currently doing my A levels. I originally took Biology, Chemistry and Computer science. I was struggling with chemistry as I had come to the UK only at the start of A levels and the chemistry here was really different from what I was studying back in Oman (C.B.S.E), then again because of COVID, I missed 2 years of school (online classes) and after coming to the UK in November 2021, I would not be entered into any sixth form as I was 2 months late, so I missed another year and because of that I lost all the base in chemistry and I had to start from scratch in Y12. Now in Y13, due to low grades in Chemistry, I won't be entered in for the Chemistry A level exam 😭, but I can write the computer science and biology papers. I am currently 19 years old, is there anyway to write the Chemistry paper separately ? I've currently got offers from Bangor and Plymouth, where they only require 2 subjects to enter biomedical science with a foundation year. I'm an international student, how long will I have to live in the UK to get home fees ? If I wanted to go abroad like say Australia or New Zealand, will having just 2 A levels prevent me from getting into a Uni ?
Sorry for the long essay, but I had questions I wanted to know the answers for. Thanks in advance.🙏

Hi there! Glad to hear you have an offer to study with us here in Plymouth! 😄

Unfortunately, I'm not sure on the answer to your query but if you have any questions about the university or want to know more about Plymouth in general, feel free to let me know!

Best of luck with your decision 😊

-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Ambassador
Reply 10
Original post by University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep
Hi there! Glad to hear you have an offer to study with us here in Plymouth! 😄
Unfortunately, I'm not sure on the answer to your query but if you have any questions about the university or want to know more about Plymouth in general, feel free to let me know!
Best of luck with your decision 😊
-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Ambassador

Hey, is the course accredited by IBMS ?
Reply 11
Original post by University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Rep
Hi there! Glad to hear you have an offer to study with us here in Plymouth! 😄
Unfortunately, I'm not sure on the answer to your query but if you have any questions about the university or want to know more about Plymouth in general, feel free to let me know!
Best of luck with your decision 😊
-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Ambassador

Also, is the foundation year cheaper than the rest of the 3 years of the course ? And if it's 3 years of residency in the UK will I be eligible for home fees ?
Original post by Timothya
Hey, is the course accredited by IBMS ?

Hi! Yes, our BSc (Hons) Biomedical science course is accredited by IBMS 😊 You can find out more about the course here!

I'd advise checking out this page to find out about our admissions fees, and to contact the admissions team at [email protected] to enquire about fee eligibility.

I'd also recommend chatting to our students via our Unibuddy page! We have a biomedical science student on the platform to speak to for any course-related questions, as well as international students too for any related queries. 🙌

Best of luck!

-Alfie, University of Plymouth Undergraduate Student Ambassador

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