Biomedical sciences accreditations and how to become researcher in genetics

2

Hello, I have offers to study Biomedical sciences at Newcastle and Essex.
My goal is to become Researcher in genetics but I'm very confused with accreditations and what and where can I actually do/work when I graduate.
Can someone please explain to me the differences between RSB and IBMS accreditations?
Where can I work with one and where with the other? Any advice on which accreditation you find best suited for this type of degree please let me know.
I don't want to make wrong decision but I don't have anyone to explain to me like Instructions for dummies.
Any help would be apricated. Thank you

Reply 1

EssexOfficialRep

Official Rep

11

Original post

by mucek07

Hello, I have offers to study Biomedical sciences at Newcastle and Essex.
My goal is to become Researcher in genetics but I'm very confused with accreditations and what and where can I actually do/work when I graduate.
Can someone please explain to me the differences between RSB and IBMS accreditations?
Where can I work with one and where with the other? Any advice on which accreditation you find best suited for this type of degree please let me know.
I don't want to make wrong decision but I don't have anyone to explain to me like Instructions for dummies.
Any help would be apricated. Thank you

Hello @mucek07 👋

🎉 Congratulations on your offer to study at the University of Essex! Check your emails for your invite to an Offer Holder Day where you can tour our campus and accommodation, chat to current students and academic staff within your department, and meet your future classmates. 📨🤝

Studying BSc Biomedical Sciences with us is a brilliant start to becoming a researcher in genetics. 🧬

Our course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and we are the top university in the country for providing NHS placements. Registration with the HCPC is a legal requirement to work as a Biomedical Scientist in the UK, crucial for NHS careers, which the IBMS accreditation and approved laboratory work (in your studies and on your NHS placement) is necessary for. This could lead you to working in a clinic pathology lab as a researcher in genetics. 🥼🧫

The University of Essex is 1st in the UK for biology and 2nd in the UK for biosciences (The Mail University Guide 2025). You would have access to great, wide-ranging facilities including the STEM centre and new laboratory spaces with digital microscopes, bioimaging and spectroscopy technology for cutting-edge research developments - have a look at the research currently happening in our School of Life Sciences. Our range of Masters courses and Postgraduate Research Degrees can further help you on your path to becoming a researcher in genetics, if you continue studying at the University of Essex with the Alumni Loyalty Discount. 🔬🧪

The University of Essex is just outside of Colchester, less than one hour away from London on the train (with three stations near to campus). Our Students' Union is amazing (top 10 in the UK), with over 165 societies to join, a library (open 24/7), gym and sports centre (free if you live on campus), cinema, two bars and a nightclub on campus. Students are supported by the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service and we are now ranked 29th in the British Universities and Colleges Sport table. 🌟

You can chat to current students on Unibuddy to find out more! 📱

I hope this helps, please let us know if you have any more questions 😊

Essex Official Rep - Amy 🌞

Reply 2

HealthcareSci

11

Original post

by mucek07

Hello, I have offers to study Biomedical sciences at Newcastle and Essex.
My goal is to become Researcher in genetics but I'm very confused with accreditations and what and where can I actually do/work when I graduate.
Can someone please explain to me the differences between RSB and IBMS accreditations?
Where can I work with one and where with the other? Any advice on which accreditation you find best suited for this type of degree please let me know.
I don't want to make wrong decision but I don't have anyone to explain to me like Instructions for dummies.
Any help would be apricated. Thank you

Simply IBMS accreditation is required to become registered as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC. As you want to do research in genetics it's not important.

RSB accreditation just means the university has submitted their degree to the RSB, received credit and paid for the privilege. There is no advantage/block to your career for it.

My main query - if you want to do genetics research it would be far more useful to do a genetics degree. Why biomed?

(From a biomed graduate who had one module of genetics in the whole degree...)

Reply 3

mucek07

OP

2

Original post

by HealthcareSci

Simply IBMS accreditation is required to become registered as a biomedical scientist with the HCPC. As you want to do research in genetics it's not important.
RSB accreditation just means the university has submitted their degree to the RSB, received credit and paid for the privilege. There is no advantage/block to your career for it.
My main query - if you want to do genetics research it would be far more useful to do a genetics degree. Why biomed?
(From a biomed graduate who had one module of genetics in the whole degree...)

I'm taking Genetics module under Biomedical sciences.

Reply 4

HealthcareSci

11

Original post

by mucek07

I'm taking Genetics module under Biomedical sciences.

Honestly I think that's a bigger problem than your worries about accreditation. If you are aiming for genetics research (which is a good career choice) you will need a PhD in that area. If you do a biomed degree with some genetics you will be behind applicants with a genetics focused degree.

And PhDs can be very competitive. So you want the best opportunity that you can.

Reply 5

GeneticsNerd

8

Original post

by mucek07

Hello, I have offers to study Biomedical sciences at Newcastle and Essex.
My goal is to become Researcher in genetics but I'm very confused with accreditations and what and where can I actually do/work when I graduate.
Can someone please explain to me the differences between RSB and IBMS accreditations?
Where can I work with one and where with the other? Any advice on which accreditation you find best suited for this type of degree please let me know.
I don't want to make wrong decision but I don't have anyone to explain to me like Instructions for dummies.
Any help would be apricated. Thank you

In my experience accreditation isn't important for genetics, or research. Research is a broad term really and there are lots of roles in that that both do and don't need a PhD. My role didn't need a PhD but last a certain point they were post doc fellowships. I was a research assistant which suited me because I wanted to do the wet work and contribute to the direction of the research but didn't want to be "in charge" applying for funding etc etc. Loved it. However your experience in research very much depends on the research group. Our group head was very into developing everyone, letting you get stuck into stuff that wasn't necessarily your remit so even though I was the assistant I was asked for my opinion, encouraged to do all sort of extra courses and learning and I was allowed as much responsibility as I wanted. Other people in my position didn't have a good experience and were treated like trained monkeys and looked down on by PhDs, so like any workplace, your experience varies massively with your colleagues.

As for genetics, registration for things matters more in NHS labs but genetics falls outside the remit of BMS. Things that you have to be a HCPC BMS for, the equivalent in genetics doesn't require registration. Genetic Technologist is a band 5 role that would be equivalent to a band 5 BMS. You can get registration with an equivalent genetics body but that's based on career experience not what degree you did.

I'm sure there are outlying cases but I'd say a PhD is more important to being a researcher than doing an IBMS accredited degree. Also remember your career path doesn't have to be completely linear! You could do your BSc then get a job in research to check you enjoy it before committing years to education 😊

Biomedical sciences accreditations and how to become researcher in genetics

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated