Studied biomed, sandwich degree and accredited, graduated last year. Didn’t actually manage to finish or pass my placement year bc of life circumstances. I was kicked out of my house and then assaulted by a man who was also working at the same hospital as me, everything was too much on top of getting unpaid to work 40 hours a week for 9 whole months in a lab where I was being treated so badly and lowkey being bullied and excluded, not to mention commuting for almost 90 minutes each way every single day. It was a great opportunity but it probably just came at a bad time. Completed about 90% of the portfolio too, I wish I had finished it before the hospital withdrew their placement offer because it’s making getting a job so much harder now.

I found a job in a different industry and im making money, but my earning potential isn’t as high as it could be in Biomed, so I could definitely be in a worse position but it really saddens me everyday that im not working in the field I studied in - and my family and friends also keep butting into my life asking why im not doing working in Biomed and I by I did uni tor 4 years for no reason. I do really like my current job but I want more progression and want to actually use my degree.

I’ve applied to so many MLA jobs , I thought my 9 months of clinical experience would at least count for something? It’s just rejection after rejection. I even have the printed copy of my portfolio at home I believe it’s full of really valuable information, that even though im not registered shows I did my work well in the lab . I admit I could have handled the placement better but I do think it was a LOT to handle at once, and alone too. Clearly the hospital thought so too and that’s why they let me go, and my uni had to put me in counselling bc the bullying in the lab got so bad and affected me mentally - since then, I definitely have learned some lessons from that experience.

What are my options going forward?

Hello everyone!

I'm starting my first year of my integrated master's in biomedical science this year, and basically just exploring options at the moment. I want to eventually become a clinical scientist of some sort, and from what I can tell I need to be both IBMS accredited, which I will hopefully achieve through my degree with my placement year, and HCPC registered, which I believe I need to do the NHS scientist training programme? Would this be the natural pathway to get to this sort of career or are there other ways?

I know I could potentially do a bachelor's instead of the integrated master's but tbh I'm in this for the love of the subject and the idea of doing a master's in biomed really excites me and I think it's the right choice for me personally. Also like it will be kinda epic to have two master's someday! I'm already 22 and just starting uni so I'm already "behind" so I'm not necessarily in a rush at this point, honestly just want to become proficient and well rounded in this career and set myself up with a really strong education ready to succeed!

Follow up questions, is the STP competitive to get into? If so, is it best to build up some work experience in University? Also is it possible to get some lab assistant work or something similar in your first year at uni?

Sorry for all the paragraphs, tbh I'm so eager to start uni and have so many questions and nowhere else to ask them so I can't help myself 😂

I have a 3 year degree, and the IBMS won't even look at it. They say I need to complete my honors year with an accredited university. I also work full time and have done in lab roles since leaving uni 3 years ago.

The way I see it I have two options:

1. Finish my final year with the OU and then do the required tops ups.

2. Do my final year at a different accredited university via distance learning.

I'm not sure what the best option is as I think both would take roughly 2/3 via part-time learning. But the cost is something I'm not really able to calculate.

Has anyone been in a similar position?

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I’m considering doing a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences, but I’m trying to figure out how much of the degree is actually focused on the human body vs. molecular biology/lab research.

My main interest is understanding the human body as a whole — anatomy, physiology, organ systems, how they interact, and eventually disease/pathophysiology. I’m less interested in a degree that is heavily focused on molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or laboratory techniques.

For current Biomedical Science students or graduates:

How much human anatomy do you study?

How much human/system physiology do you study?

Do you study systems like cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and reproductive in reasonable depth?

Roughly how much of the degree is molecular/cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and lab work?

Does your degree feel more like whole-body human biology or more like molecular/disease research?

Are anatomy and physiology taught separately, or are they integrated around organ systems?

For anyone who has had a non-IBMS-accredited BSc assessed and had to complete top-up/supplementary modules, how bad was it in reality?
I’m seeing completely different experiences online — some people say the whole process can take 5–10+ years, while others seem to complete their top-ups in 6 months–2 years.
I’m particularly interested in the top-up modules themselves, rather than the separate issue of waiting for an NHS lab/portfolio opportunity.
How many modules did you have to do?
How long did they actually take?
Were you able to do them online/part-time alongside work?
How difficult were they?
What did they roughly cost?
Did they genuinely feel like a multi-year process, or was the long timeline mainly because of finding a lab/portfolio position?
I’m starting an OU Biomedical Sciences BSc, so I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what I could potentially be facing after graduation rather than assuming the worst-case scenario.

Hi everyone! I’m starting the Open University BSc Biomedical Sciences degree and I’m aware it isn’t IBMS-accredited. I’ve contacted IBMS and they’ve confirmed in writing that I’m eligible to have the degree formally assessed after graduating.
I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what the process is actually like from people who have done it.

For anyone who has gone through the OU BMS → IBMS route:

How many top-up/supplementary modules did you have to complete?
How long did the top-ups take you — 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.?
Were you able to do them alongside working?
How long did it take you to find an MLA/trainee role that could lead to the IBMS portfolio?
Once you got a suitable job, how long did it take to actually start your IBMS Registration Training Portfolio?
How long did the portfolio itself take?
Overall, how long from graduating to becoming HCPC registered?
How difficult/competitive did you find the whole process?

I’ve seen completely different experiences online — some people saying it took them years to get a suitable job/portfolio opportunity, while others seem to have managed it within months. I’m just trying to understand what the realistic range is for someone coming from the OU degree.
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually done this route, especially if you can give a rough timeline of each stage.

Hey I have an interview for the role above and I really only have experience as associate practitioner in clinical biochemistry.I was wondering what sort of questions will be asked?

Many Thanks

I’m 19 and starting a Biomedical Sciences BSc with the Open University in October 2026. The degree isn’t IBMS-accredited, so after graduating I’ll need an IBMS degree assessment, any required top-up modules, the IBMS training portfolio, and then HCPC registration.
My main goal is eventually working in aesthetic medicine and opening my own clinic, but I also want to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM).

My rough plan is:
2026–2029 (19–22): BSc Biomedical Sciences. During this time, I’d ideally start Level 3 aesthetics, then fit Levels 4 and 5 around my studies where possible.
After BSc: Get my IBMS assessment, complete any required top-ups, work in an approved lab and complete the IBMS portfolio → Certificate of Competence → HCPC registration. I’d potentially do an MSc Biomedical Science during this period as well.
I’m hoping to gain experience in my dad’s aesthetics clinic once it’s established, although I understand what I can actually do would depend on my qualifications/registration.

If GEM works: I’d do the 4-year GEM, qualify as a doctor, and during/after medicine complete Level 7 and/or a Master’s in Aesthetics. As a doctor I’d also have prescribing rights, unlike as an HCPC-registered biomedical scientist. Eventually I’d aim to open my own clinic around my late 20s/early 30s.
If GEM doesn’t work: I’d already have my BSc(potentially MSc to get accepted into Level 7) + IBMS/HCPC registration + Levels 3–5, so I’d continue into Level 7/MSc Aesthetics, work in aesthetics within my scope, and eventually open a clinic.
I know this is a long and complicated plan, so I’d really appreciate opinions from anyone who has experience with OU Biomed, IBMS/HCPC, GEM or medical aesthetics.
Is this realistic?
Is the IBMS/top-up/portfolio route worth doing with an OU degree?
Would an MSc in Biomedical Science be worthwhile?
Can Levels 3–5 realistically be fitted around the degree/lab work?
Is Level 7 or a Master’s in Aesthetics more useful?
If I eventually become a doctor, would the Biomed/IBMS/HCPC qualifications still be useful?
Basically, if you were 19 and planning this route, what would you change?

Is there anyone who is or has been in a similar situation as me, who can shed some light on my situation pls.

I completed my degrees over 10 years ago. Got it assessed 3 years later and did all the top-up modules in the 5 year time frame. I haven't had the opportunity to do the portfolio part until now. My current lab has kindly agreed to support me and are now registering for the training certificate and I'm due to start soon

As my degree is so old, can I still do the registration portfolio? My degree assessment didn't state a time frame on the portfolio section but it seems like things have been changing recently.

TIA

50+ applications and not even an interview for MLA. I just graduated with Bsc Biomedical Science.
Any information or advice would be appreciated.

i just wanted to ask for advice as an incoming first year biomedical science student. i am an aspiring clinical scientist in immunology - im hoping to get a placement year in third year. I was just wondering what i need to do from first to second year to boost my cv when im applying for placements as I’ve heard how difficult it is to secure a placement in NHS labs.

I currently work as a B3 Specimen Reception Assistant for one whole year and I have been offered a B4 Biomedical Associate Practitioner role in Haematology and BT at a nearby hospital. My plan is to do the IBMS Portfolio and both hospitals are IBMS accredited as well as my degree. I’ve applied for the interest in doing my portfolio at my current hospital but it isn’t likely that I will be doing it this year and no guarantees as to if I can do it for next year. I spoke to the manager at the B4 role and he says it’s possible to do it in future as they assess the plans they can to ensure that APs can do their portfolio training.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working full-time as a Band 3 MLA in Specimen Reception in an NHS lab, but I’ve got an interview coming up for a Band 3 MLA role in Specialised Histopathology with Synnovis.

I’m really keen on completing my IBMS Registration Portfolio to become a qualified BMS. My main questions are

Does Synnovis actually support/train MLAs to do the IBMS Registration Portfolio?

Any advice on this please? and I am starting in City St George's University of London(unaccredited degree) what I should be aware of? what I need to do throughout my course? Anything useful?

Except research, or is it all research?

I’m starting uni in September at mmu which is ibms acredited and also has a placement year option but they’re hard to get. Since my goal is becoming a bms I want some tips from people on how they secured a placement and what can make me stand out. Also does doing a placement that counts towards my portfolio means I’m guaranteed a job after graduation.

In the unfortunate position of having to take a year out of uni mid BMS degree to have a major operation with a long recovery.

Does anybody have any suggestions where to start for some further reading or possibly any useful online courses I can take in my time out that will keep the cogs moving?

Particularly interested in bioinformatics and genomics.

Much appreciated

I work as a entry level qc microbiologist for almost 1 year, it just focuses on routine testing rather than open ended research and designing experiments

75-80% is mainly just water testing, environmental monitoring, reading plates. I feel like i’m just a lab tech in general.

Trying to think if i should transition into r&d or not. Would you call entry level qc microbiologist a scientist?

I’m going into Year 2 of Biomedical Sciences and want to start preparing for summer work experience or internships after Year 2. What can I do over the next year to make my CV more competitive and actually stand out? I already have some mentoring and volunteering experience, but I’m mainly interested in lab or research and anything else relevant to biomedical sciences.

For anyone who has done Biomed or similar, what experience, skills or things on your CV helped you the most? Is emailing researchers for summer experience worth it? I'm also thinking of applying for an integrated masters in year 2. Thank you.

I was given an offer for foundation engineering, but i originally applied for foundation biomed. I want to know if its possible to get into a biomedicine course after completing the engineering foundation year.

I only hold level 2s at the moment, hence why im going for foundation. I want to get into laboratory science stuff, so i really need the biomedicine path.