Subject

Biomedical science

Impatient for a world without cancer?

Biomedical science
Biomedical science applies the concepts of biochemistry and cell biology to the study of health and disease in the human body.

Exploration of how the body works is endlessly fascinating. At Essex, you will learn about the onset, progression, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and are taught by research-active academic experts and practicing Biomedical Scientists from our local hospitals. You’ll be equipped with skills that allow you to follow a professional career or to continue for further academic qualifications, such as Masters or PhD. You will have the opportunity to study Medicine or Dentistry.

Why study here?
  • You have the opportunity to spend a year working in an NHS lab.
  • We are ranked 7th in the UK for overall student satisfaction for Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology in the National Student Survey 2022.
  • Local NHS practitioners contribute to teaching, giving you real-world insight and experience.
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Chat with Phoebe, a BSc Biomedical Science student

Fancy discovering what student life at Essex is like? Want to learn more about the School of Life Sciences? Find out more by talking to Phoebe, an undergraduate student studying BSc Biomedical Science.

Chat with Phoebe
Photo of Andrew Robinson, BSc Biomedical Science student
"I completed a placement in the pathology lab at Ipswich Hospital. The placement gave me so much experience; it enabled me to apply my knowledge like I had never done before. The rotation within the pathology labs gave me a fantastic insight into how each lab works and how they work together in a multidisciplinary nature. Being able to see things I’ve learnt in books and lectures in a practical and professional way has ingrained that knowledge and made it much easier to recall due to having first-hand experience of the processes."
Andrew Robinson BSc Biomedical Science
Biomedical science is rapidly expanding and there has never been a more exciting time to study the subject. 

Our curriculum is constantly evolving to reflect the latest findings and their applications in biomedical sciences and biotechnology, from cancer to synthetic biology. At Essex you learn in a friendly and supportive atmosphere and benefit from a research-led education, taught by world-leading experts.

Why study here?
  • Undertake practical work in our new cutting-edge research labs.
  • Our teaching is underpinned by research – new ideas and theories are tested in the classroom.
  • We insist on small-group tutorial teaching to complement your formal lectures.
"I studied both my undergraduate and Masters degrees at Essex. Studying MSc Biotechnology, I was fortunate to conduct research at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, where I learnt a lot both in terms of the science and working with people. I really appreciate the steep learning curve and independence I had with the research project. It was probably the most enjoyable time of my Masters course."
Matthew Lee MSc Biotechnology, 2015
Our School provides a stimulating environment for research training.

The research being conducted by members of staff and research students in our School of Life Sciences covers the whole spectrum of biology from genes, proteins, and cells through to whole organisms, communities, and entire ecosystems. We employ a range of state-of-the-art techniques covering all the biological sciences including biochemistry, biomedical science, environmental microbiology, marine biology, ecology, statistics, and computational approaches for biologists.

Why study here?
  • As one of the largest schools at our University, we offer a lively, friendly and supportive environment.
  • A dedicated study room allows all our students to have office space, a desk and a computer outside of the research laboratories.
  • We offer an innovative professional development scheme for doctoral students, unique to the University of Essex.
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Explore our research

Discover cutting edge research from the University of Essex. Browse our site to find relevant publications, projects, groups, centres, postgraduate opportunities for research supervision and wider areas of interest. Simply search our site to find information relating to your subject.

Search our research
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