Biomedical sciences or nursing?
Hi there! I am in a huge dilemma. I have recently received all my offers from my university choices to study. I have firmed Nottingham but have realised in the last few weeks my heart isn’t really in law at all, I was thinking about the money it makes and how much i wanted to specialise in medical law, but people have told me medical law cases are also very rare so it would be rarer for me to get a job in it anyways. I’m a hard worker but I don’t think im someone who would STAND OUT in the field of law considering how competitive it is and I think I’d be uncomfortable doing the degree.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases
. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?
I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases
. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Reply 1
Hi there,
As someone who’s in the Biomedical sciences course and currently in my third year, I thought to help you out with weighing the pros and cons of this degree. I dont know much about nursing but as you said with lots of nursing degrees, there is placement provided usually as an applied year which helps you in securing a job after. However with Biomed, you can either apply for the placement year, given that the course for said uni is IBMS accredited, which you can then continue your studies with a lab and they will provide training for a year which can secure you a position; however this is highly competitive as there are very few spots available. My university for example could only provide 8 spots for about 150 students with associated hospital labs. Although the pro about this degree, is that you are taught lots of general topics and can open so many doors for you; you can go into any field such as dentistry, forensics, clinical research, teaching etc. I don’t regret choosing this degree even though it was not my first choice, especially as right now I’m not sure what to do after with the end of the academic year coming to an end. But I know there are so many other opportunities.
I hope this helped! And if you have any questions feel free to pm me.
As someone who’s in the Biomedical sciences course and currently in my third year, I thought to help you out with weighing the pros and cons of this degree. I dont know much about nursing but as you said with lots of nursing degrees, there is placement provided usually as an applied year which helps you in securing a job after. However with Biomed, you can either apply for the placement year, given that the course for said uni is IBMS accredited, which you can then continue your studies with a lab and they will provide training for a year which can secure you a position; however this is highly competitive as there are very few spots available. My university for example could only provide 8 spots for about 150 students with associated hospital labs. Although the pro about this degree, is that you are taught lots of general topics and can open so many doors for you; you can go into any field such as dentistry, forensics, clinical research, teaching etc. I don’t regret choosing this degree even though it was not my first choice, especially as right now I’m not sure what to do after with the end of the academic year coming to an end. But I know there are so many other opportunities.
I hope this helped! And if you have any questions feel free to pm me.
Reply 2
If I’m going to be brutally honest, I would say choose nursing.
I am a Biomedical Scientist (registered, got the degree etc…) in Clinical Biochemistry and it is a NIGHTMARE getting the portfolio and it is such a saturated market it’s a joke to get the experience, whereas nursing will provide that experience as part of the course. Meaning you are fully prepared when you graduate, I only managed to get as far as I did because COVID hit and they were taking anyone and everyone with a medical based degree (including marine bio?).
Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and will continue to do it but it is REALLY difficult to get into and to get the registration portfolio is HARD, I just got lucky and managed to get a trainee post meaning they HAD to give me my portfolio, other places will drag their feet (when I was applying elsewhere, it would take 2-3 years before I’d be allowed to start it, followed by a further 12-18 months to finish it).
I know you said you want to get a job within Bioethics but if that falls through, getting a job in Biomedical Science (ensuring the degree is IBMS accredited) is hyper difficult…
There are times where I’d just wished I’d gone into nursing (quite frequently actually and/or tried my luck at medicine), but if I’m honest, I don’t want to spend another 4 years without income.
Best of luck!
I am a Biomedical Scientist (registered, got the degree etc…) in Clinical Biochemistry and it is a NIGHTMARE getting the portfolio and it is such a saturated market it’s a joke to get the experience, whereas nursing will provide that experience as part of the course. Meaning you are fully prepared when you graduate, I only managed to get as far as I did because COVID hit and they were taking anyone and everyone with a medical based degree (including marine bio?).
Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and will continue to do it but it is REALLY difficult to get into and to get the registration portfolio is HARD, I just got lucky and managed to get a trainee post meaning they HAD to give me my portfolio, other places will drag their feet (when I was applying elsewhere, it would take 2-3 years before I’d be allowed to start it, followed by a further 12-18 months to finish it).
I know you said you want to get a job within Bioethics but if that falls through, getting a job in Biomedical Science (ensuring the degree is IBMS accredited) is hyper difficult…
There are times where I’d just wished I’d gone into nursing (quite frequently actually and/or tried my luck at medicine), but if I’m honest, I don’t want to spend another 4 years without income.
Best of luck!
Reply 3
you said ...."So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse!" please do not do nursing if you don't want to be a nurse! You do realise you have to actually pass all your placements , so if you don't have the vocational desire to care for peope then it isn't the degree for you. Take a gap year, do work experience and think what works for you as you seem to very influenced by what other people are saying . I'm not sure where those poeple get the idea that medical law cases are rare, have they seen the NHS and how much they pay out in compensation for negligence every year, it's literally billions. Litigation is only 1 part of it, think about work options within the wider field in terms of mental health law, court of protection,end of life care,research ethics etc etc so if you have an interest in bioethics you should be able to find a niche somewhere. If you have a passion for a particular area its always best to start with that ....when you are an A level student you often don't hear about all the career options that are open to you, and it might be that eg. you take a MSc in bioethics once you have done your undergrad and head down the research route.
(edited 6 days ago)
Reply 4
Original post
by miarichxHi there! I am in a huge dilemma. I have recently received all my offers from my university choices to study. I have firmed Nottingham but have realised in the last few weeks my heart isn’t really in law at all, I was thinking about the money it makes and how much i wanted to specialise in medical law, but people have told me medical law cases are also very rare so it would be rarer for me to get a job in it anyways. I’m a hard worker but I don’t think im someone who would STAND OUT in the field of law considering how competitive it is and I think I’d be uncomfortable doing the degree.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?
I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases
. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Hey there, have you heard of LSBU? It could be a really good option for you based on what you’ve shared, especially as we offer both Biomedical Science and Nursing and both are very career-focused.
Biomedical Science at LSBU is great if you’re more interested in lab work, research, and the science behind healthcare. We also offer foundation pathways, which can be really helpful if you’re changing direction or do not have the exact subjects needed for the standard route.
Nursing at LSBU is also a strong option and includes placements, so you get hands-on experience and a clear route into healthcare. Even if you do not see yourself staying in traditional nursing long term, it can still lead into wider clinical and research-based environments.
So really, if you are drawn more to science, labs, and research, Biomedical Science sounds like the better fit. If you want clinical experience and a direct healthcare route, Nursing could suit you more.
Honestly, you haven’t put yourself in a mess at all. You’ve just realised what isn’t right for you, which is actually a really important step before starting university.
You are very welcome to come to a Southwark Open Day on Saturday 4th July where you can meet lecturers, explore the facilities, and get clear answers about courses and support (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days). If you cannot make it for an open day, you can book a campus tour on a day that suits you (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/study/study-at-lsbu/open-days). You can also chat with our current students on Unibuddy to hear their experiences and ask your questions directly (https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/student-life/chat).
LSBU Admissions Ambassador
Reply 5
Original post
by miarichxHi there! I am in a huge dilemma. I have recently received all my offers from my university choices to study. I have firmed Nottingham but have realised in the last few weeks my heart isn’t really in law at all, I was thinking about the money it makes and how much i wanted to specialise in medical law, but people have told me medical law cases are also very rare so it would be rarer for me to get a job in it anyways. I’m a hard worker but I don’t think im someone who would STAND OUT in the field of law considering how competitive it is and I think I’d be uncomfortable doing the degree.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?
I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases
. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Hi there,
I am someone who done a degree in Biomedical Sciences at UCL and then decided to become a nurse and did a post graduate diploma in nursing. I am a nurse working in the NHS, and worked in hematology inpatients (looking after patients acutely unwell with different blood cancers, did a chemotherapy course, and also worked clinical trials. I agree with the 3rd responder Whatswhat.... please do not apply to for nursing as a stepping stone to do something else, if you do not want to become a nurse. Do you want to have direct patient contact, care for people who are acutely unwell, manage routine things like administering medication, record and respond to their vitals and generally a people person? I chose to become a nurse because I really enjoyed human biology but cant stand beign in a lab sweating over the tiniest details to get the right cell lines to proliferate, or go through tons and tons of research papers (ironically I am finding that I need to do this increasingly as I have progressed in more senior roles), but wanted to apply my biomedical science background into hands on patient centered role so nursing it was!
As part of my masters top up, I actually did a bioethics module at CitySt georges uni which was really interesting, we did a case study on ABC vs St georges hospital
Case of note: ABC v. St. George's University Hospital NHS FT, SW London & St. George's Mental Health NHST and Another (High Court, 28 February 2020 – Yip J.) - NHS Resolution
If you want to learn more about being a bioethicist you can contact lecturers in Bioethics and try and reverse engineer the career path.
However to be committed to something so specific at such an early stage in your life is both noble and a bit of a gamble. Try to keep an open mind as from my experience, my goals in life changed so much as I grew. It would be interesting to hear from you what you are motivated. You mentioned you love research, have you been to any open days to speak to people in research? Most would have done undergrad, postgrad and post doct. Also research in healthcare... is there a field you especially enjoy? Biomedical sciences would be a good starting point. Having done Chemistry A level would be useful.
I also agree with Scienceisgood... to become a registered biomedical scientist is super competitive I believe many people reapply for a few years before get a training position. But based on your post you are wont be interested in that career.
But , I would be interested in hearing more from you, your motivations so that we can better advise....
Reply 6
Original post
by miarichxHi there! I am in a huge dilemma. I have recently received all my offers from my university choices to study. I have firmed Nottingham but have realised in the last few weeks my heart isn’t really in law at all, I was thinking about the money it makes and how much i wanted to specialise in medical law, but people have told me medical law cases are also very rare so it would be rarer for me to get a job in it anyways. I’m a hard worker but I don’t think im someone who would STAND OUT in the field of law considering how competitive it is and I think I’d be uncomfortable doing the degree.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?
I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases
. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Based on LSBU, I would say this student should choose Biomedical Science if they are genuinely interested in science and research, and choose Nursing only if they are comfortable training to become a nurse first. At LSBU, Nursing is not set up as a “research without nursing” route, it is a professional practice degree that leads to registration as a nurse, with 50% academic study and 50% clinical practice. LSBU says the Adult Nursing course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, leads to registration as a qualified adult nurse, and most LSBU nursing students receive a job offer from their Host Trust.
So if this student is already saying, “I do not want to be a nurse”, then on the LSBU side that is a strong sign that Nursing may not be the right fit. Nursing at LSBU is designed for students who want a patient-facing clinical career, with placements across hospital and community settings and multiple practice blocks during the course. It can absolutely open doors and is very employable, but it is still fundamentally nurse training.
By contrast, Biomedical Science at LSBU sounds much closer to someone who likes healthcare, science, and the research side of medicine. LSBU says its Biomedical Science degree prepares students for careers in health and wellbeing, biomedical research and pharmaceuticals, and the course is IBMS accredited, which supports progression toward professional biomedical scientist routes and HCPC-related registration pathways in approved labs. LSBU also highlights strong links with the NHS, private healthcare, and placement organisations including Richmond Pharmacology, The Francis Crick Institute and the University of Cambridge.
For entry requirements, this is where the two LSBU options differ quite a lot. For Biomedical Science, LSBU specifically asks for 104 to 112 UCAS points and says A-level applicants should have Biology or Human Biology, plus a second STEM subject from Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, or Psychology. Since this student does Applied Human Biology, Law and Psychology, they may actually be a realistic fit for LSBU Biomedical Science because Human Biology and Psychology are both listed in the acceptable profile.
For Adult Nursing, LSBU asks for 112 UCAS points and five GCSEs including Maths and English at grade 4 or above, and if someone slightly misses the requirements or has been out of study for a while, LSBU points them toward its Health and Social Care Foundation Year or the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree as alternative routes.
If you would like to explore the course and speak with staff in person, LSBU’s next Open Day is on Saturday 4 July 2026 from 9:30am to 3:00pm at the Southwark campus. You can also chat with current LSBU students through the Unibuddy platform on the LSBU website, which is a helpful way to ask about student life, the course experience, and support available.
Unibuddy platform: Chat with our students.
Southwark Campus: Saturday 4 July 2026 - 9:30 to 15:00
Reply 7
Original post
by Meow2mewoHi there,
I am someone who done a degree in Biomedical Sciences at UCL and then decided to become a nurse and did a post graduate diploma in nursing. I am a nurse working in the NHS, and worked in hematology inpatients (looking after patients acutely unwell with different blood cancers, did a chemotherapy course, and also worked clinical trials. I agree with the 3rd responder Whatswhat.... please do not apply to for nursing as a stepping stone to do something else, if you do not want to become a nurse. Do you want to have direct patient contact, care for people who are acutely unwell, manage routine things like administering medication, record and respond to their vitals and generally a people person? I chose to become a nurse because I really enjoyed human biology but cant stand beign in a lab sweating over the tiniest details to get the right cell lines to proliferate, or go through tons and tons of research papers (ironically I am finding that I need to do this increasingly as I have progressed in more senior roles), but wanted to apply my biomedical science background into hands on patient centered role so nursing it was!
As part of my masters top up, I actually did a bioethics module at CitySt georges uni which was really interesting, we did a case study on ABC vs St georges hospital
Case of note: ABC v. St. George's University Hospital NHS FT, SW London & St. George's Mental Health NHST and Another (High Court, 28 February 2020 – Yip J.) - NHS Resolution
If you want to learn more about being a bioethicist you can contact lecturers in Bioethics and try and reverse engineer the career path.
However to be committed to something so specific at such an early stage in your life is both noble and a bit of a gamble. Try to keep an open mind as from my experience, my goals in life changed so much as I grew. It would be interesting to hear from you what you are motivated. You mentioned you love research, have you been to any open days to speak to people in research? Most would have done undergrad, postgrad and post doct. Also research in healthcare... is there a field you especially enjoy? Biomedical sciences would be a good starting point. Having done Chemistry A level would be useful.
I also agree with Scienceisgood... to become a registered biomedical scientist is super competitive I believe many people reapply for a few years before get a training position. But based on your post you are wont be interested in that career.
But , I would be interested in hearing more from you, your motivations so that we can better advise....
I am someone who done a degree in Biomedical Sciences at UCL and then decided to become a nurse and did a post graduate diploma in nursing. I am a nurse working in the NHS, and worked in hematology inpatients (looking after patients acutely unwell with different blood cancers, did a chemotherapy course, and also worked clinical trials. I agree with the 3rd responder Whatswhat.... please do not apply to for nursing as a stepping stone to do something else, if you do not want to become a nurse. Do you want to have direct patient contact, care for people who are acutely unwell, manage routine things like administering medication, record and respond to their vitals and generally a people person? I chose to become a nurse because I really enjoyed human biology but cant stand beign in a lab sweating over the tiniest details to get the right cell lines to proliferate, or go through tons and tons of research papers (ironically I am finding that I need to do this increasingly as I have progressed in more senior roles), but wanted to apply my biomedical science background into hands on patient centered role so nursing it was!
As part of my masters top up, I actually did a bioethics module at CitySt georges uni which was really interesting, we did a case study on ABC vs St georges hospital
Case of note: ABC v. St. George's University Hospital NHS FT, SW London & St. George's Mental Health NHST and Another (High Court, 28 February 2020 – Yip J.) - NHS Resolution
If you want to learn more about being a bioethicist you can contact lecturers in Bioethics and try and reverse engineer the career path.
However to be committed to something so specific at such an early stage in your life is both noble and a bit of a gamble. Try to keep an open mind as from my experience, my goals in life changed so much as I grew. It would be interesting to hear from you what you are motivated. You mentioned you love research, have you been to any open days to speak to people in research? Most would have done undergrad, postgrad and post doct. Also research in healthcare... is there a field you especially enjoy? Biomedical sciences would be a good starting point. Having done Chemistry A level would be useful.
I also agree with Scienceisgood... to become a registered biomedical scientist is super competitive I believe many people reapply for a few years before get a training position. But based on your post you are wont be interested in that career.
But , I would be interested in hearing more from you, your motivations so that we can better advise....
Hi what kind of postgraduate nursing diploma and how long it was? everywhere I read about masters in nursing it says you need to have 600hr experience or something like that. Could you please give me a full name of the course as I am doing biomedical science now but my heart is in nursing and would love to do that after biomed .
Reply 8
Original post
by miarichxHi there! I am in a huge dilemma. I have recently received all my offers from my university choices to study. I have firmed Nottingham but have realised in the last few weeks my heart isn’t really in law at all, I was thinking about the money it makes and how much i wanted to specialise in medical law, but people have told me medical law cases are also very rare so it would be rarer for me to get a job in it anyways. I’m a hard worker but I don’t think im someone who would STAND OUT in the field of law considering how competitive it is and I think I’d be uncomfortable doing the degree.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?
I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Therefore, I can see myself in a biomedical science setting as since year 11, and my a level choices (applied human biology, law, and psychology), were based on my dream career of becoming a bioethicist. Which means going through clearing to change my degree. I have spoken to my head of year about this and he said this is a good choice to make but because I don’t do chemistry or a level biology it may be likely I’ll have to do a foundation year if I want to do the degree at a Russel group like Nottingham, which I am fine wifh, and so are my parents, but I also don’t want to put me and my parents under the pressures of extra student debt. So I want to know if it’s worth it for me to try a general 3 year biomedical science course through clearing or..
Try my luck with nursing. Because, people have also told me it is very unlikely to find a job within bioethics as there are rarely any clinical cases
. So doing a nursing degree would garuntee me a job due to placements while being able to specialise in the research side of clinics as I do not want to be a nurse! I would just love to work in the research side of healthcare if that makes sense. So my question is.. biomedical science (4 or 3 years), or nursing?I really need help and I’ve put myself in such a mess, but I would really appreciate some advice and I hope this makes sense. Thank you
My predicted grades are also distinction (A),A,B.
Hi!
you’re doing the right thing by questioning your choice before starting the degree.
Don’t choose nursing unless you want to be a nurse.
A nursing degree trains you for hands‑on clinical care, placements, shifts, and NMC registration. Even roles like research nurse still require you to be a practising nurse first. So if you already know you don’t want to work as a nurse, that route won’t suit you.
Biomedical Science fits your interests much better. You’ve said your long‑term goal is bioethics, and your A‑levels (psychology, applied human biology, law) actually line up really well with that. A foundation year is completely normal for students without Chemistry/Biology, and it’s worth it if it leads you to the right field.
Bioethics isn’t “rare” — it’s just niche. People work in:
•
NHS ethics committees
•
clinical trials governance
•
research organisations
•
public health policy
•
medical law and regulation
So the real choice is: If you want science, ethics, research and policy → Biomedical Science (with or without foundation year).
If you want to be a nurse and enjoy clinical care → Nursing.
From everything you’ve said, Biomed is the route that actually matches your interests and long‑term goals.
Best of Luck
Reply 9
Original post
by Wanesa1996Hi what kind of postgraduate nursing diploma and how long it was? everywhere I read about masters in nursing it says you need to have 600hr experience or something like that. Could you please give me a full name of the course as I am doing biomedical science now but my heart is in nursing and would love to do that after biomed .
I believe there is no longer the option of a Pg diploma now, its just an MSc. I went to City university (back then) and did not have care experience, so I just needed to do another 500hrs of additional placements. University of hertfordshire does not require this, so you just have to check each programme individually!
MSc Adult Nursing - Master's degree • City St George's, University of London
MSc Nursing (Adult) | Courses | Uni of Herts
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