Program Overview

From cancer-screening to blood transfusions, from infections to genetic diseases; Biomedical Scientists research the causes and diagnosis of diseases and the effectiveness of the medicines that cure them. You apply the concepts of biochemistry and cell biology to the study of health and disease in the human body. Our multidisciplinary approach means you learn skills that are at the forefront of advances in medical research.

At Essex, our research focuses on genetic diseases, infection and immunity, and age-associated conditions such as cancer.

On our BSc Biomedical Science, you study areas including:

• The human immune system
• Pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria
• Haematology and blood transfusion
• Cell pathology
• Mechanisms of neurological diseases

You discover the molecular basis of cellular dysfunctions, and describe modern strategies to diagnose and treat them.

Placement year

You can spend your third year on a placement year with another external organisation. This is usually focused around your course, and enables you to learn about a particular sector, company or job role, apply your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receive inspiration for future career pathways. Organisations our students have recently been placed with include GlaxoSmithKline, Proctor & Gamble, Aquaterra, Astrazeneca, Genzyme, Reckitt Benckiser, Thermofisher, and Isogenica.

If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

Our first-year students will have the opportunity to participate in the Science Week at Public Health England (PHE) in Colindale. We have fantastic collaboration with several hospitals in the Eastern Region and beyond, and part of this collaboration is to send all of our second-year students to visit hospitals to have a clear picture about the biomedical science profession.Our final-year students have the opportunity to participate in our Employability Day at Essex, and also contribute to the IBMS Congress.