Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

SQA National Qualifications

YEAR 1 ENTRY
SQA Highers
Standard Entry: ABBB including Biology or Human Biology or 114 UCAS Tariff Points
Minimum Entry: BBBB including Biology or Human Biology or 108 UCAS Tariff Points

YEAR 2 ENTRY
SQA Advanced Highers: BBC including Biology, and Chemistry at least at Standard Grade/Nat 5/Int2 or 136 UCAS Tariff Points

or GCE

YEAR 1 ENTRY
A-LEVEL: BCC including Biology or Human Biology or 104 UCAS Tariff Points including Biology or Human Biology

OTHERS:
Irish Leaving Certificate: H1H2H2H2 (including Biology or Human Biology), International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 24 points (including 3 subjects at HL one should be Biology or Human Biology)

YEAR 2 ENTRY
GCE A-Levels: BBC (including Biology) or 112 UCAS Tariff Points

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 30 points (including Biology at HL plus Chemistry at OL) or 136 UCAS Tariff Points

or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation

YEAR 2

SQA HNC / BTEC Level 4 HNC: Applied Science; Biomedical Science/Applied Biomedical Science; Industrial Biotechnology

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

There is a minimum entry qualification for competence in the use of the English language of attainment of level 7 in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with no score below 6.5.

For the BSc Applied Biomedical Science degree entry to the HCPC register is dependent on the necessary character and health checks.

Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.

Further desirable skills pre-application

General Overview

Biomedical Science is the branch of medical science specifically concerned with the laboratory diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The aim of the programme is to provide the student with training as a Biomedical Scientist according to the criteria set out by the Health and Care Professions Council, which facilitates entry into NHS accredited hospital laboratories. The degree programme has accordingly been approved by the HCPC. The degree is also accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). It is an integrated degree in which academic study is integrated with work-based learning in an accredited National Health Service (NHS) laboratory.

Graduates are exceptionally well qualified to enter a range of medically-related professions in a very buoyant employment market. Their skills are sought after by a wide range of employers: NHS clinical laboratories, National Blood Service laboratories, Health Protection Agency, medical/pharmaceutical/veterinary/food/etc research & development laboratories, sales & marketing in health-related commerce, and a wide range of research laboratories.

The programme is carefully prescribed to ensure that the key areas regarded as essential for a Biomedical Scientist have been addressed i.e. human anatomy & physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, and microbiology. The theoretical aspects are fully integrated with a high proportion of practical work, so that much of the student's experience involves 'learning by doing'. Experience has shown that students value this approach and become more involved with the subjects so that their motivation to produce high quality work increases. The Honours level research project further refines practical abilities and intensifies the development of independent learning skills, providing an excellent introduction to research-based skills for those intending to pursue a higher degree and consequent research orientated career. Many of the past graduates are now employed in promoted positions throughout the medical and health sector both at home and abroad.

Students are taught using a wide range of innovative teaching approaches that are fully supported by the University Virtual Learning Environment, which also helps provide linkage between different learning environments (e.g. Home, University, & Placement) and aids the transition towards independent learner. There are a wide range of quality facilities, including well-equipped laboratories within the University to support students during the tenure of their degree, and the Life Science staff are renowned for their approachabilty and concern for student success.

This particular programme places a strong emphasis on the transition from student into Biomedical Scientist, which involves more than just the acquisition of the relevant scientific and technical information. The University places focus on Personal Development Planning (PDP) to emphasise the importance of employability skills. Following graduation, a Biomedical Scientist engages with Continuing Professional Development as a mandatory aspect of their employment, and since this is the natural successor to PDP, the student will be ideally prepared for the transition. In addition to this, students on the programme are encouraged to engage with the professional governing bodies (HCPC and IBMS) as soon as they embark on the programme and then receive a wide range of opportunities to participate in professionally related activities, including a 15 week period spent in an approved clinical laboratory (SCQF L9 or year 3 of the programme).

Students may register for this programme on entry to the University (L7 or L8 if they have appropriate qualifications), but they will undergo a competitive selection procedure prior to the placement in Level 9 based upon a variety of criteria including development of a professional attitude and their academic achievement, assessed partly through interview.

Students who are unable to progress on this programme will be given the opportunity to transfer to a related programme. 

Graduates from this degree programme would be very well equipped to enter a range of health-related professions and would also possess a range of very valuable skills that would make them most suitable for further post-graduate training in life-based scientific research.

The teaching strategy associated with the programme seeks to foster the following:

• To develop critical, analytical problem-based learning skills and the transferable skills to prepare the student for graduate employment.
• To enable the student to engage in lifelong learning, study and enquiry, and to appreciate the value of education to society.
• To assist the student to develop the skills required for both autonomous practice and team-working.
• To develop in the student a knowledge and understanding of the principles governing the biological & biomedical sciences.
• To enable the student to extend knowledge and understanding to a critical assessment of current views and theories in the biological sciences.
• To enable the student to acquire competence in a range of practical methods in biological/biomedical science.

The above, particularly work-related skills, will be enhanced where a student undertakes a placement. All of the modules that support the above utilise a blend of formal lectures and practical work. Practical work includes both laboratory work and field trips. In addition, students at all levels are supported by personal tutors. E-learning is specifically enabled through the use of the Virtual Learning Environment, which is utilised by all modules in the programme to support the delivery of material.

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

This programme places a strong emphasis on the transition from student into Biomedical professional, which involves more than just the acquisition of the relevant scientific and technical information. The University places focus on Personal Development Planning (PDP) to emphasise the importance of employability skills. Following graduation, a Biomedical Scientist engages with Continuing Professional Development as a mandatory aspect of their employment, and since this is the natural successor to PDP, it provides an ideal preparation for the transition. In addition to this, students will be encouraged to engage with the professional governing bodies (HCPC) as soon as they embark on the programme, in addition to which they receive a wide range of opportunities to participate in professionally related activities, including a 15 week period spent in an HPC approved clinical laboratory (SCQF L9 or year 3 of the programme).

The development of skills from SCQF 7 through to SCQF 10 follows a carefully planned progression combining generic graduate skills with practical and subject-specific based aspects to encourage independent learning over a supported transition period of 3-4 years. The PDP aspects are being designed to emphasise and encourage self-reflective analysis.

Students will be supported and empowered to develop the skill of purposeful reflection which will lead into planning for, and throughout, their entire educational experience. By engaging with these twin processes of reflection and planning they will develop a set of skills and attributes that will underpin their employability.

Graduate Attributes

The development of UWS graduate attributes is embedded within all years of the programme. Our aim is to provide students at UWS with opportunities to develop academically, professionally and personally: to broaden their ambitions, extend their attitudes, challenge their assumptions, and assist towards unlocking their potential to succeed in their studies and future lives.

Critical Thinker The ability to evaluate yourself and your own thinking; assessing and evaluating complex information from different sources, challenging and questioning presented knowledge and facts, drawing reflective conclusions and articulating knowledge. Thinking reflectively and logically, being able to explain your thought processes, forming you own conclusions, constructing coherent arguments and taking actions based on your own thinking and relevant information.

Ethically-Minded Understanding ethical principles, awareness and appreciation of the values and beliefs of others in relation to own actions. Knowledge of moral decisions; respect for other people’s beliefs and the environment; being non-judgmental.

Collaborative Ability to work with a range of people, receptive to others’ views and working well with others to reach shared goals. Being a good communicator, open-minded, flexible, empathetic, a good listener, and pro-active.

Autonomous Taking responsibility for own actions to help become an independent learner. Applying learning and knowledge outwith university, having confidence in self, taking responsibility for own actions and making informed decisions. Self-directed, disciplined, using initiative and being self-motivated.

Resilient The ability to weather challenges and setbacks, utilising adversity to build new skills and support others in the future. Being determined, motivated, self-confident and demonstrating will-power. Not fearing failure.

Driven Ambitious; highly motivated to achieve desired outcome; focussed. A willingness to work hard; committed to achieving objectives; highly engaged with self-determination. Pushing personal boundaries and having the confidence to gain new experience.

Problem Solver Identifying what the problems are, including both what is known and what is unknown. Showing the application of knowledge to problematic situations/issues and evaluating a range of creative options; Identifying a problem and then finding solutions. Ability to be creative and knowledgeable enough to ask the right questions and to step up to take ownership of tasks/activities.

Effective Communicator To adapt what you are communicating to a specific audience. Communicating effectively to present ideas, discuss, persuade, negotiate, debate and challenge. Possessing skills to communicate verbally and non-verbally in an engaging and articulate manner. Listening.

Ambitious Aiming to achieve. Know where you want to be, setting goals, targets and making progress to accomplish these.

Individual modules will specify where opportunities to develop these skills occur.

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

Work related learning forms an integral and compulsory part of this programme, as the student engages with a 15 week placement in an approved hospital laboratory during the second term of their third year (SCQF 9).  

Students engage with the 15 week placement to provide them with the practical opportunity to acquire evidence of experience for completion of the HCPC Standards of Practice (additional work is undertaken for this in the University). This range of work is described in the Student's Placement Handbook and the accompanying document Record of Competence which is based on the generic West of Scotland Laboratories Clinical Placement Training Manual. The 40 point module Professional Laboratory Training in BMS outlines the work which is taken in conjunction with the module Professional Practice in Biomedical Science. 

Students must fulfil certain criteria in order to gain a placement position, which is competitive and involves: a satisfactory Disclosure Scotland check, good academic progress, and development of a professional attitude.

The placement experience has been designed to match the criteria laid down in the HCPC guidelines (e.g. SOP & SETS). The Work Placement is in compliance with University's regulations and criteria for placement settings.

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Where a programme has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:

Engagement with all classes and asynchronous activities associated with the programme is required.

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

The programme should be suitable for all students who are capable of attending formal lectures, working in computer laboratories and practical laboratories.

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of CertHE / DipHE or BA / BSc in Combined Studies.

For students studying BA, BAcc, or BD awards the award will be BA Combined Studies.

For students studying BEng or BSc awards, the award will be BSc Combined Studies.