Biomedical Scientist Degree Apprenticeship - Level 6

Biomedical scientists carry out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They play a key role in screening for hereditary and acquired diseases.

Biomedical scientists are mainly found working in hospitals, but they may also be found working in other healthcare settings including primary care and in public health. Biomedical scientists may also be employed in industry working in laboratories and research facilities and there maybe opportunity for employment in higher education.

This occupation is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and biomedical scientist is a protected title. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, including the HCPC approved degree or the HCPC approved Certificate of Competence delivered by the IBMS, the apprentice will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a biomedical scientist. Biomedical scientists can apply to be members of a professional body e.g. the Institute of Biomedical Science.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to carry out a range of laboratory and scientific tests to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Biomedical scientists investigate a range of medical conditions, including for example cancer, diabetes, blood disorders (e.g. anaemia), meningitis and hepatitis.

Biomedical scientists perform a key role in screening for hereditary and acquired diseases, identifying those caused by bacteria and viruses and monitoring the effects of medication and other treatments.

They must be able to work with computers, sophisticated automated equipment, microscopes and other hi-tech laboratory equipment and to use a wide range of complex modern techniques in their day-to-day work.

Who is it for?

Individuals working within laboratories carrying out tests or research who want to gain IBMS accreditation. Specific job roles may include Apprentice Biomedical Scientist; Trainee Biomedical Scientist; Medical Laboratory Assistant.

Location: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration: 3 years including a 1-month Apprenticeship Assessment
Start date(s): October

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Course content

This apprenticeship combines biological science theory, laboratory training and research experience to prepare apprentices for careers in pathological healthcare. It focuses on understanding diseases at molecular, cellular, and clinical levels while developing practical laboratory and professional skills.

Apprentices will develop an understanding of the core theories and biological processes that support disease diagnosis, explore how different biological systems interact and investigate disease diagnosis. The apprenticeship concludes with an independent research project where students design, conduct and analyse their own scientific investigation.

The University has a wide range of specialist technical facilities which are supported by a large team of technical staff. We have a specialist laboratory, simulation suites and apprentices even take part in multi-disciplinary teams to show the journey of a sample from collection, through to testing, results and back to the patient.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) meaning upon completion apprentices will have gained the knowledge, skills and behaviours to apply for registration as a Biomedical Scientist. This professional register provides graduates with registration as a competent scientist and allows employers to see that they are capable of working as an autonomous professional within a clinical laboratory.

What qualification will be achieved?

BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science (Life Sciences)
Biomedical Scientist Degree Apprenticeship Certificate
Eligible to register as a Biomedical Scientist with the Institute of Biomedical Science

Modules

Year 1:

Professional and Practical Skills for Biomedical Scientists 1, 2, 3
Building Blocks of Life
Cells to Systems
Global Health

Year 2:

Genomics, Data, and Bioinformatics
Health, Disease, and Detection 1, 2, 3
Applied Healthcare Science 1, 2

Year 3:

Contemporary Issues in Biomedical Science
Diagnostic Healthcare Science
Research Project
Good Scientific and Clinical Practice

Entry requirements

To be eligible, apprentices will need to provide evidence of the following:

Achievement of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR demonstrate ability at Level 2 in both Maths and English, this would be determined by an initial assessment conducted by University of Staffordshire.

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £27,000 per apprentice.

For non-levy paying organisations there may be a financial contribution of 5% which equates to £1,350 per apprentice.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

This programme is delivered using a blended learning model including 9 face-to-face sessions on campus a year, complimented by online webinars.

Assessment

Throughout the apprenticeship a variety of assessment methods could be used, these include:

Written assignments
Examinations
Reflective activities
Group assessments
Presentations
Professional discussions
Academic assignments
Critical analysis

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support provided by the course teaching team, our central Academic Skills Team provide resources, group and one-to-one help to support learning in a number of areas. These include:

study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
academic writing (including how to reference)
research skills
critical thinking and understanding arguments
revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

The Student Life Team offer support, advice and guidance to apprentices with inclusion requirements. The team can arrange reasonable adjustments to support with learning needs, long term health condition, mental health condition or disabilities

Feedback

Progress feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, written feedback will be made available to all apprentices who take written examinations or assessments.

Responsibilities

Employers must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning.
Ensure apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week of their time on off-the-job training.
Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire.
Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice.
Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
Recognise that apprentices must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours.
Support the apprentice to gain new skills.

If they are a citizen of the UK or a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area with Pre-settled or Settled status, they must have been an ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
If they are a non UK national or EEA National without pre-settled or settled status, they must hold a visa (not for educational purposes) for the full duration of the apprenticeship at the start of the programme and been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours.
Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Be in a job role relevant for the apprenticeship where significant new knowledge and skills are required.
Be in full-time employment for typically 30 hours a week.
Has the right to work in England.
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs.
Not enrolled on another apprenticeship or accessing other government funding at the same time.
Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.

Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable level of quality and in compliance with the DfE’s requirements.
Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice.
Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP.
Provide support on selection of the apprenticeship assessor, if applicable. The apprenticeship assessment will be completed by University of Staffordshire for all integrated degrees.

Careers

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices can continue working as a registered biomedical scientist within their workplace and may seek further development opportunities such as postgraduate study.

Apprentices will also have access to career support, our dedicated careers team can support with professional branding, career mapping and accessing potential.

Facilities

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Read more

Find out more about our Science Centre Facilities.

Molecular Cellular Biology and Genetics

Facilities for genetic and gene expression analysis, cellular imaging, and growth of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Read more

Find out more about our Sequencing Hub and Sequencing Room.

Human Physiology Suite

This facility measures the effects of different procedures on human physiological parameters. Read more

Find out more about our Human Physiology Suite here.

Cell Culture Facility

A specialist environment for the culture and study of both cancerous and non-cancerous human and mammalian cell lines. Read more

Find out more about the cell culture facility.

Enquire

To join a higher degree apprenticeship programme or recruit an apprentice for your business, enquire with us today.

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