Biomed without chemistry?

7

I would really like to study something medical at uni (biomedical science/medical science/biology/dentistry) but all the universities I’ve looked into require chemistry which I don’t take. I study biology, English lit and French so I was wondering if there are any pathways into these degrees without chemistry?

Reply 1

UniofLawstudent2

Official Rep

11

Original post

by Okcomputer1

I would really like to study something medical at uni (biomedical science/medical science/biology/dentistry) but all the universities I’ve looked into require chemistry which I don’t take. I study biology, English lit and French so I was wondering if there are any pathways into these degrees without chemistry?

Yes pathways exist, but they’re limited and require planning.

Most Dentistry and Medicine-adjacent degrees need Chemistry, so without it, those routes are mostly closed unless you resit or take Chemistry later. However, Biomedical Science, Medical Science, and Biology remain options.

Some universities accept Biology without Chemistry, especially for Biology or Biomedical Science degrees.
Foundation years or access courses are common alternatives, they include Chemistry and lead into the main degree. You could also take A-level Chemistry privately or in an extra year if you aim for highly medical courses.
In short: Dentistry = unlikely without Chemistry;
Biomedical/Medical Science and Biology = possible via foundation years or flexible universities.

Here are some uni's which from what I gathered, provide the 'medical' feel your looking for, and don't require chemistry.

University of Essex – BSc Biomedical Science (inc. Foundation Year)
https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/ug00039/2/bsc-biomedical-science--including-foundation-year

University of Salford – BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science with Foundation Year
https://www.salford.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/biomedical-science-with-foundation-year

Lancaster University – BSc Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year)
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/biomedical-science-with-a-foundation-year-bsc-hons-b99f/2026/

University of Leicester – Biological Sciences with Foundation Year
https://le.ac.uk/courses/biological-sciences-with-foundation-year-bsc/2026

Theres' honestly quite a lot of options besides this but they do all require foundation years, etc. Keep searching and you may find one which doesn't require the foundation year.
Hope this helped,
Alfred.

Reply 2

McGinger

20

Original post

by Okcomputer1

I would really like to study something medical at uni (biomedical science/medical science/biology/dentistry) but all the universities I’ve looked into require chemistry which I don’t take. I study biology, English lit and French so I was wondering if there are any pathways into these degrees without chemistry?

There are some special Foundation style courses for those who want to do science degrees but who have taken the 'wrong' A level subjects :
Science With Foundation Year - The University of Nottingham
Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc | University of Leeds

Reply 3

Scienceisgood

21

Hi, I’m a trainee Biomedical Scientist in Clinical Biochemistry (BSc and MSc in Biomedical Science, specialism, Clin Chem).

Can I ask, do you want to work in a hospital or do you just want to study the degree but work in research?

If you want to work in a hospital, ENSURE your degree is IBMS accredited (I will explain this further if you wish). 🙂

Reply 4

Scienceisgood

21

Also, it is DEFINITELY possible to go into Biomed with those courses, I went in with less than you and came out with a 2.1 and a Merit.

Link: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7619124&p=100828857

Reply 5

Okcomputer1

OP

7

Original post

by Scienceisgood

Hi, I’m a trainee Biomedical Scientist in Clinical Biochemistry (BSc and MSc in Biomedical Science, specialism, Clin Chem).
Can I ask, do you want to work in a hospital or do you just want to study the degree but work in research?
If you want to work in a hospital, ENSURE your degree is IBMS accredited (I will explain this further if you wish). 🙂

Thanks so much for your reply! I would like to work in a hospital or use the degree as a ‘stepping stone’ towards a different career if that makes sense!

Reply 6

Scienceisgood

21

Original post

by Okcomputer1

Thanks so much for your reply! I would like to work in a hospital or use the degree as a ‘stepping stone’ towards a different career if that makes sense!

If you want to work in a hospital, I would recommend (actually, more a necessity) an IBMS accredited degree. Translation, avoid RG unis like the plague as absolutely none of them are IBMS accredited as they focus on research as opposed to diagnostics.

In order to work as a Band 5 or higher, you require an IBMS accredited degree as you cannot do the IBMS portfolio and by default, get the Health and Care Professions Council membership without it (unless you do top up modules which comes out of your own pocket (unless your employer pays for it)) and will require you to go back to uni to do top up modules, taking potentially years longer… not worth it.

The portfolio itself takes about a year to do but when I was asking about it before getting the trainee BMS post, I was told I may potentially wait 2-3 years in the queue (when asking about it in interviews) before being allowed to do it… that’s how long the queue is and in demand it is.

So fair warning, you will be playing a waiting game before being allowed to do your portfolio unless you are lucky enough to nab a trainee BMS post (or do a placement year in the NHS on a placement year).

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 7

University of Salford

Official Rep

12

Original post

by Okcomputer1

I would really like to study something medical at uni (biomedical science/medical science/biology/dentistry) but all the universities I’ve looked into require chemistry which I don’t take. I study biology, English lit and French so I was wondering if there are any pathways into these degrees without chemistry?

Hey @Okcomputer1 ,

There are definitely options for University with just Biology for your science, so please don't be disheartened! As Scienceisgood mentions, if you're interested in working as a Biomedical Scientist getting an undergraduate degree with IBMS accreditation is really crucial, so just make sure you're double checking that as well as the entry requirements on University websites.

We only ask for Biology as your science, with a minimum grade of a C. Our course is very lab focused and practical, and we have quite a few students choose to do a placement year in the middle of their degree to increase that practical, work-focused element of the course. Its worth not just looking at the entry requirements for the degree, but also how that university teaches and if it suits you as a learner. It might be the best university in the world, but if its not going to be the right place for what you want from teaching/University experiences it won't be the right space for you. You might find some places more traditionally academic in teaching style, or more practical like ourselves. Visiting on Open Days is a great way to get a feel for things - if you're looking for University this year you might find the next series of University Open Days begin in the summer (as we've just finished the cycle for 2026 entry), but if you're looking for Sept 27 and beyond you'll see lots of us offering dates in the Autumn.

Good luck with your decisions! If you have any queries let me know, happy to help :smile:

All the best,
Becky
University of Salford Rep

Biomed without chemistry?

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