should I firm exeter or bristol for biomed?

I am completely on the fence because I love the idea of both unis despite their differences. I got given ABB grade requirements for both. Are either of them typically more flexible with grades than the other, like if I miss my grade by 1 they will still consider me? I know a lot of people from my school got into bristol despite missing their grades, not sure about Exeter.

Reply 1

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post by laurac25

Hey @laurac25

It all depends on what path you're thinking of after your undergrad. Both Exeter and Bristol are Russell Group universities I believe, so while they are very good research degrees, neither are accredited by the institute of biomedical science (IBMS).

The university of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol has an accredited degree but I'm not sure that's the uni you mean when you say Bristol.

Here's a full list from the IBMS, of the universities that offer an accredited biomedical science degree. If you are thinking of a career in the NHS working as a biomedical scientist then this is pretty essential. There are top up modules you could do after graduating if you do an unaccredited degree,

To register as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC, you must meet their Standards of Education and Training. This requires you to complete an IBMS Accredited biomedical science degree or apprenticeship (or HCPC approved Healthcare Science/Life Sciences degree) and successfully complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio in an IBMS approved training laboratory.

Hope this helps :smile:

Best wishes,
Essex Student Rep - Hayley

Reply 2

McGinger

The accredited degrees are only essential if you want to just work in a lab. Thats the sort of career that Unis like UWE aim their grads at. For the Uni of Bristol and Exeter, their grads will tend to work in research or in industry - the accreditation is therefore meaningless.

Reply 3

EssexStudentRep

Official Rep

Original post by McGinger

I agree, the accreditation is only essential if you want to work in the NHS. That's why a research-focused degree might be better suited. It's just good to think ahead at the early stages, of the sort of career you're looking to go into :smile:

Best wishes,
Essex Student Rep - Hayley