Uni choice

Hii, in year 12 too and thinking of applying for geography at lancaster! all I know is that lancaster is ranked rly high for research, and that a current student came to talk in our school about placements and years abroad, so i think the university would help a lot with that - hopefully someone who's already been in this position has an answer, hope this was still useful in some way 😭 (btw your predicted grades are amazing, well donee)

Hi! I am currently studying biology, maths, and chemistry, and my UCAS predicted grades are A*A*A. I’m considering studying Biomedical Science and am particularly interested in universities that offer ibms accredited degrees, such as Lancaster, Keele, Plymouth, and Exeter. I’m wondering whether these universities provide strong practical training as well as support for research opportunities.

I understand that having a placement year during the degree is important, but I’d like to ask when universities say you have the option to take up a work placement, does that mean they guarantee one for every student, or is it offered on a competitive basis?

Also, regarding the STP, can someone with a biomed degree apply for roles in physiological sciences, or are they limited to life sciences only?

Thank you!

Hi! I am currently studying biology, maths, and chemistry, and my UCAS predicted grades are A*A*A. I’m considering studying Biomedical Science and am particularly interested in universities that offer ibms accredited degrees, such as Lancaster, Keele, Plymouth, and Exeter. I’m wondering whether these universities provide strong practical training as well as support for research opportunities.
I understand that having a placement year during the degree is important, but I’d like to ask when universities say you have the option to take up a work placement, does that mean they guarantee one for every student, or is it offered on a competitive basis?
Also, regarding the STP, can someone with a biomed degree apply for roles in physiological sciences, or are they limited to life sciences only?
Thank you!

Hi! I am currently studying biology, maths, and chemistry, and my UCAS predicted grades are A*A*A. I’m considering studying Biomedical Science and am particularly interested in universities that offer ibms accredited degrees, such as Lancaster, Keele, Plymouth, and Exeter. I’m wondering whether these universities provide strong practical training as well as support for research opportunities.
I understand that having a placement year during the degree is important, but I’d like to ask when universities say you have the option to take up a work placement, does that mean they guarantee one for every student, or is it offered on a competitive basis?
Also, regarding the STP, can someone with a biomed degree apply for roles in physiological sciences, or are they limited to life sciences only?
Thank you!

If your goal is to work as an HCPC registered biomedical scientist in the NHS, a placement year is essential (specifically, at an approved NHS pathology lab where you can complete the HCPC portfolio). Without that you won't be able to register with the HCPC on graduation and would need to look for MLA roles which allow you to complete the portfolio while working. Placements are not guaranteed, and it's up to the student to arrange them - if you don't secure a placement for yourself you would be transferred to the non-placement version of the course. The university may be able to provide some support in the process but it is really up to the student to ensure they get a placement lined up and meet the requirements. Note that this is separate to the STP - you can apply to the STP normally with any relevant degree programme and I don't believe you need a placement.
I think you may need to decide if you want to focus on a more professionally/clinically oriented career or a more research oriented. Courses that are probably good programmes to begin a career in biomedical research are probably less likely to be IBMS accredited and have opportunities to undertake a placement in an approved NHS pathology lab. Whereas if you wanted to e.g. directly go into work in the NHS as a physiological scientist then your best bet is probably the healthcare science courses that are part of the PTP i.e. healthcare science (cardiac physiology) and similar, such as this one at Southampton: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/cardiac-physiology-healthcare-science-degree-bsc as these integrate placements through the course as a healthcare professions degree rather than a general science degree based at a uni with no specific connection to professional roles in the NHS.
For going into biomedical research, for better or worse the universities that are usually most research aligned tend to be those considered conventionally "high ranking" e.g. Oxbridge, UCL, Imperial and similar. However they tend to have little or no association with professional roles in the NHS as far as I'm aware (although of course, one could do a degree at one of those unis then apply to the STP).

Hi @Jessiefin
Glad to hear you're considering Lancaster! I'm a biochemist at Lancaster and I've loved my time here and found the department really supportive.
In terms of the NHS placement, it is not guaranteed. You'll have to apply for roles and, while the university will give you support with applications and interviews, it'll be up to you to secure a placement year. I only have experience applying for industrial placements and I know the NHS placement application process is slightly different so it may be worth emailing [email protected] with more specific questions. I can say I know a lot of Biomedical Sciences students who went on an NHS placement, and many of them were offered a place at the lab they were on placement at when they graduated.
Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Hi, thank you so much your reply! May I ask if you know approximately the proportion of students that were able to find a placement every yr? Thank you 🙏🏻

Hi Jessiefin,
Those are all the right questions to ask before applying!
If you would like to ask these questions to current students I highly recommend talking to a current student on our service called UniBuddy - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/life/ask-a-student/?utm_source=studentroom&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=uoe-acquisition-enquiry
Even though I do not study Biomedical sciences, I am a strong believer in doing a placement year - I just completed mine and I believe it was one of the best choices I ever made when it comes to my education and prospects for the future. As for how they are organised - it is completely up to you to find a placement, the university is there to guide you through the process (they were very helpful during my application process) as well as when you are out on placement. So in summary, the university doesn't provide you with a placement, you have to find one yourself. This is also great practice for future job applications, as when you do it for placement you have a lot of guidance and you get practice in before appplying for grad roles.
Hope that helps!
Klaudia
University of Exeter Ambassador

Hi @Jessiefin
I don't know the proportion unfortunately, and it'll likely vary by cohort. There's a chance the department might have that information if you drop them an email?
Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Hi;
Trainee Biomedical Scientist here (specialising in clinical biochemistry). Happy to answer these and any further questions you have!
I would HIGHLY recommend an IBMS accredited course if you’re interested in Biomedical Science as it is essential to becoming a state registered BMS as unaccredited courses do not meet the standard.
Fair warning though, Biomed is fairly saturated so if you want to get ahead of the game, PLEASE do the lab placement if you can. I didn’t and really regret it as it set me back about a year… and if it wasn’t for the pandemic, I don’t think I’d have even had it for a while longer! You can also do your portfolio during your placement year which is highly beneficial, particularly because it gives you a MASSIVE leg up!
Sadly, it is not guaranteed to get the placement and they are highly competitive to get, so please choose wisely.
Personally I didn’t both my bachelors and masters at UWE which I absolutely LOVED. Great uni and I would recommend looking into the university too!
Afraid I can’t offer much advice on the STP though I’m afraid, I am considering applying soon (was going to do it last year but got offered this job which I couldn’t say no to…).
Fair warning though, placement is unpaid meaning you will need to find a means to fund it if living away from home, yes student finance give you some funds but it is not enough for rent (please forgive me if wrong)!

Hi! I am currently studying biology, maths, and chemistry, and my UCAS predicted grades are A*A*A. I’m considering studying Biomedical Science and am particularly interested in universities that offer ibms accredited degrees, such as Lancaster, Keele, Plymouth, and Exeter. I’m wondering whether these universities provide strong practical training as well as support for research opportunities.
I understand that having a placement year during the degree is important, but I’d like to ask when universities say you have the option to take up a work placement, does that mean they guarantee one for every student, or is it offered on a competitive basis?
Also, regarding the STP, can someone with a biomed degree apply for roles in physiological sciences, or are they limited to life sciences only?
Thank you!