BSc Biomedical Science with a Year Abroad

On this course you’ll spend your third year studying biomedical science at another top university in Europe, or a country such as the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore or Hong Kong. While abroad, you’ll have the freedom to study both biomedical science and other subjects at your host university, while also experiencing life in another part of the world. You’ll pay reduced fees for the year you’re abroad.

During your time at Sheffield you’ll cover everything from human physiology and pharmacology, to molecular and cell biology. You’ll study the basis of diseases such as coronavirus and cancer, and tackle challenges such as hearing loss. You’ll explore therapies that use stem cell technology, and discover how we develop drug treatments for inflammatory disease.

From your first year you’ll study a range of biomedical science modules, with the freedom to explore optional topics from across the biosciences, such as genetics, microbiology, evolution and biochemistry. This flexibility allows you to study biomedical science in greater depth, broaden your interests or switch to another biosciences degree programme. No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop the practical skills that make our graduates attractive to employers, including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.

We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals, learning about the human body through cadaveric dissection and sharing your knowledge through peer assisted study sessions.

As you progress through your degree you’ll be able to specialise in key areas such as stem cells and cancer, neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology and developmental and cell biology. Whichever your specialism, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.

Modules

In your first year, you’ll cover the basic concepts and skills that biomedicine is based on including molecular, cell and developmental biology; pathobiology; physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience. In practical lab sessions, you’ll learn the scientific research techniques that you’ll use throughout your degree including isolation and cloning of DNA, preparing and staining tissue samples and zebrafish embryos, and taking physiological measurements to determine human fitness. You’ll have lectures and take part in small group tutorials where you’ll be introduced to the latest research findings from our world-leading academics. You’ll also have the opportunity to share knowledge and benefit from others’ expertise through optional peer-assisted study sessions.

In your second year, you’ll begin exploring more advanced scientific techniques, both in the lab and in lectures, with topics including molecular physiology and cell and developmental biology. Many students choose to take our ‘Introduction to Human Anatomy’ module, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the human body by performing cadaveric dissection.

You’ll spend your third year studying at another top university in a country such as the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore or Hong Kong.

You’ll return to Sheffield in your fourth year and complete a research project alongside your chosen specialist modules. If you choose to be lab-based, you’ll be embedded in one of our research groups, working within a team to conduct and report research findings. If you choose to undertake your project in a non-laboratory setting, you could complete an extended library project, gain experience of teaching in local schools, or even join the “Patients as Educators” scheme to interact with and discuss clinical conditions with patient volunteers.

Entry requirements

English language requirements | 

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Fees and funding

Fees

Applications for places on courses starting the following September (except Medicine and Dentistry) should be submitted to UCAS between:

• 1 September and 25 January to be guaranteed equal consideration with other applicants
• 26 January and 30 June for further consideration, although we may not be able to consider your application if all the places on the course you’ve applied for have been filled

Applications for places on Medicine and Dentistry courses must be submitted between 1 September and 15 October.