探花直播

What's the difference between Biomedical Science and Human Biosciences?

Biomedical Scientist with a urinalysis machine

If you鈥檙e thinking about studying a science degree but aren鈥檛 sure which one to choose, you鈥檙e not alone!

In this blog, we鈥檒l break down the key differences between聽Biomedical Science听补苍诲听Human Biosciences. Both degrees explore how the human body works, and what happens when things go wrong, but each opens doors to very different career paths.

Biomedical Science聽

For students aiming for a clinical science career.

If your goal is to work in a聽hospital laboratory聽or within a聽clinical diagnostic setting, Biomedical Science could be the right choice for you.

Key features:

  • IBMS Accredited:聽This degree is accredited by the, meaning it鈥檚 tailored to meet the professional standards needed to become a聽registered Biomedical Scientist.

  • Structured and specialised:聽Because of the accreditation, the course follows the standard practised used across the professional industry, meaning you'll be well-equipped when you graduate to succeed.聽

  • Clinical focus:聽You鈥檒l develop the practical and theoretical skills required to work directly in healthcare science, supporting disease diagnosis and medical research.

Human Biosciences

For students who want flexibility and variety.

If you鈥檙e passionate about human biology but want a degree with more聽choice听补苍诲听variety, Human Biosciences might be the perfect fit.

Key features:

  • Broader career opportunities:聽A great option if you鈥檙e considering聽postgraduate medicine,聽research,聽public health, or聽nutrition. It also offers wide possibilities within the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

  • Graduate entry pathways: Human Biosciences students can also apply for graduate medicine programmes, as well as a range of other postgraduate opportunities in healthcare, science and research.
  • Flexible curriculum:聽Offers optional and adaptable modules that evolve with the latest developments in the health and science sectors.

  • Placement year available:聽Gain valuable industry experience and explore different career paths through a placement year.

  • Diverse content:聽Topics can include areas such as聽nutrition,聽human performance, and聽health promotion.

So which one鈥檚 for you?

Both degrees share a fascination with the science of life and human health. The difference lies in how structures or flexible you want your journey to be:

  • Choose Biomedical Science聽if you鈥檙e aiming for a clinical laboratory career and want a course that鈥檚 professionally accredited and tailored to that path.
  • Choose Human Biosciences聽if you want broader scientific foundations, more freedom to specialise, and a variety of career options after graduation.

Whichever you choose, you'll be part of a community of scientists exploring how to improve health, understand disease, and make a real difference to people's lives.

What should you do next?

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