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University course??

Hi everyone,
I am currently in year 12 studying biology, chemistry, and maths. I'm currently unsure of what course to take at uni.
The unis I was looking at were bath, Oxford, kings, Exeter, reading/ Cardiff.
I originally wanted to study medicine however I soon realised how difficult I would find it and that I would probably be overwhelmed with the work as I would prefer to study something where I can have more of a life balance, for example be able to come home from uni etc.
I then considered biomedical sciences but pretty much all of my uni options don't offer an accredited course.
I'm also looking at biochemistry and/ or pharmacy/ pharmacology (in which not many unis offer it).
Im also unsure if a masters/ PhD would be helpful in any way, or if I should/ can apply for masters later on in my degree and potentially do it elsewhere?
I'm unsure if I will actually enjoy biochemistry and if I'll find it difficult. I'm also unsure if biochemistry/ pharmacy/pharmacology will open many job opportunities.
I know for sure I would like to study something along those lines of bioscience but unsure which specific source will best suit me.
Any advice or help would be much appreciated :smile:

Reply 1

Scienceisgood

Hi;

I studied at an accredited course for Biomedical Science (both my BSc and MSc and specialised in Clinical Biochemistry for my MSc) if you wish to ask anything about the course.

Long story short, I'm assuming you've fallen into the RG uni pit for Biomedical Science and thinking that you MUST attend an RG uni to do well but, in Biomedical Science, if you want to work in diagnostics, it's a pitfall trap. If you want to work in diagnostics, for the love of god, stay away from these!

I originally graduated back in 2018 for my BSc, worked in a diagnostic lab for several years (after attempting teaching and left after two years) before heading back to get my MSc in Biomedical Science (23-24 academic year). So I have some experience from uni both pre and post plague. =D

I can't verify about other courses however so it may be biased, so take it with a grain of salt!

Reply 2

Scienceisgood

The reason why RG unis are not accredited is primarily because they focus on the research side and money is poured into research whereas non-accredited courses are primarily focused on diagnosis with some emphasis on research. That's why RG unis (where most money for research is poured) are not accredited vs accredited unis.

Reply 3

matylda1111

Thanks so much for the reply!!
Is it more worth it to go to a RG uni without an accredited degree or a non RG uni but an accredited degree, also is the accreditation really worth it, although I know that in order to work in the NHS you need to have an accreditation? However can you still work in the NHS/ diagnostics if for example you do a non-accredited BSc and do an MSc in something else, e.g. biochemistry?

Reply 4

Scienceisgood

I will say primarily, the NHS requires IBMS accredited courses because it focuses on the diagnostic side of things, as well as some ethical or legal side of things (including patient's opinions) such as the data protection act, human tissue act and consent to treatment and when is consent not needed i.e. the patient is passed out on the floor and bleeding out but you do now know if they have a religious or ethical issue with blood transfusions, this prevents lawsuits.

The generic consensus if if you wish to work in a NHS lab, you must have an IBMS accredited course. You can do a non-accredited course and then do top up modules but this will have to be done at your own expense and time. I once had a colleague who wished to work in a lab but, having done a non-accredited course, they would need to take up an additional 7 modules which would take 3 years to complete (may as well do a whole new degree in that time). I would suggest if you wish to work in the NHS, pick up an accredited course as, if you don't have an accredited course, you will not meet the job requirements in the NHS.

In order to meet the standards to work in the NHS as a Band 5 or higher (it does not necessarily have to be a medical lab as even paramedics fall under the HCPC but I am focusing on a medical laboratory perspective for this perspective), you would need to be a member of the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) which can only be done by completing your IBMS accredited degree and then completing your IBMS portfolio in a UKAS accredited lab. This is typically done as a MLA or an AP but can also be done as a trainee BMS but these are HIGHLY competitive (I have applied for dozens of these and only succeeded in obtaining two interviews).

There are other jobs available such as clinical scientists but these also require IBMS accredited courses (or topped up courses) and require you to complete the NHS STP programme but again, this is highly competitive.

TL;dr, I think from my understanding (I'm not an authority on this but I have some experience), most jobs will require some form of an IBMS accredited degree and for you to be registered under the HCPC. For a full list of HCPC registered jobs, please click below and select "choose a profession".

https://www.hcpc-uk.org/education/approved-programmes/

EDIT:
Changed the word prefers to requires.

EDIT2:
Having read what I did, I edited causing it to kind of not make sense or be vague (mix of lab and non lab jobs). Fixed now.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 5

matylda1111

Thank you so much, that really helps!!! :smile:

Reply 6

captainmandrake

Original post by Scienceisgood

I will say primarily, the NHS requires IBMS accredited courses because it focuses on the diagnostic side of things, as well as some ethical or legal side of things (including patient's opinions) such as the data protection act, human tissue act and consent to treatment and when is consent not needed i.e. the patient is passed out on the floor and bleeding out but you do now know if they have a religious or ethical issue with blood transfusions, this prevents lawsuits.
The generic consensus if if you wish to work in a NHS lab, you must have an IBMS accredited course. You can do a non-accredited course and then do top up modules but this will have to be done at your own expense and time. I once had a colleague who wished to work in a lab but, having done a non-accredited course, they would need to take up an additional 7 modules which would take 3 years to complete (may as well do a whole new degree in that time). I would suggest if you wish to work in the NHS, pick up an accredited course as, if you don't have an accredited course, you will not meet the job requirements in the NHS.
In order to meet the standards to work in the NHS as a Band 5 or higher (it does not necessarily have to be a medical lab as even paramedics fall under the HCPC but I am focusing on a medical laboratory perspective for this perspective), you would need to be a member of the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) which can only be done by completing your IBMS accredited degree and then completing your IBMS portfolio in a UKAS accredited lab. This is typically done as a MLA or an AP but can also be done as a trainee BMS but these are HIGHLY competitive (I have applied for dozens of these and only succeeded in obtaining two interviews).
There are other jobs available such as clinical scientists but these also require IBMS accredited courses (or topped up courses) and require you to complete the NHS STP programme but again, this is highly competitive.
TL;dr, I think from my understanding (I'm not an authority on this but I have some experience), most jobs will require some form of an IBMS accredited degree and for you to be registered under the HCPC. For a full list of HCPC registered jobs, please click below and select "choose a profession".
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/education/approved-programmes/
EDIT:
Changed the word prefers to requires.
EDIT2:
Having read what I did, I edited causing it to kind of not make sense or be vague (mix of lab and non lab jobs). Fixed now.

I word of caution - courses recognised by the HCPC will be recognised by IBMS, the reverse is not always true.

St Georges is recognised by IBMS but not by the HCPC. To upgrade to the recognised qualification you need the "certificate of competence" awarded by the IBMS as a part of a training job. These training jobs are exceptionally rare to non-existant. In practice, you get hired as a lab assistant and stick around long enough/pester your manager into facilitating the opportunity.

As for the HCPC courses, it depends massively on your course title and your placement. There have been instances where the supply of IBMS compatible placements is fairly small compared to the number in the cohort.

Buyer beware. Do check my post history, including within the epic "biomedical science is a pointless degree"

** Edit **
St Georges biomedical science has not been recognised by IBMS since 2019. That said, their current course offers a placement year which could include a NHS lab opportunities. I studied there in 2008 and I liked the course and the environment, hence my enthusiasm.