Going from a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences to a Doctor of Medicine can be a challenging leap. In the United States, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has nine schools that have transfer agreements with other colleges to allow students to continue their studies in medicine after graduating from a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program.

Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences are commonly accepted transfer courses. Some universities also consider transfers from courses including Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Optometry and Pharmacology. You will need to check the specific requirements of each transfer scheme to find out if you are eligible.

Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences are popular transfer courses among universities, providing students with a strong foundation in the field of healthcare. However, it is not limited to just these two courses as some universities also accept transfers from related courses such as Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Optometry, and Pharmacology. To determine if you are eligible for transfer, it is essential to carefully review the specific requirements of each transfer scheme offered by universities.

For students interested in transferring to a university for a degree in Biomedical Sciences or Medical Sciences, there are typically some basic admission requirements to meet. These may include a certain GPA in prerequisite courses, completion of specific coursework, and possibly letters of recommendation or a personal statement. Some universities may also require standardized test scores such as the MCAT or GRE, depending on the program.

When applying for transfer to a university for a degree in the mentioned fields, it is important to follow the specific admission process outlined by the institution. This may include submitting an application online, sending official transcripts from previous colleges or universities attended, providing letters of recommendation, writing a personal statement, and possibly participating in an interview. It is crucial to carefully follow all instructions and meet all deadlines to ensure a successful transfer process.

Transfer From Biomedical Science To Medicine

This research and science division is a complex multidisciplinary field of research concerning the application of technical methods to assist physicians and doctors in their healthcare practices. The research of this division also aims to rehabilitate injured people.

While many universities offer Graduate Entry as a route into Medicine for students, few schools offer internal transfers from Biomedical Science to Medicine early into your degree.

This transfer from Biomedical Science to Medicine is highly competitive, but it can be done. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the UK universities with a formal Biomedical Science to Medicine transfer scheme, those with a very competitive transfer scheme and other ways of accessing Medicine.

These are guidelines only and all information is correct at the time of writing – however, there is no guarantee of transfer to Medicine at these schools. If you’re unsure about the process, we strongly recommend contacting the universities themselves.

Biomedical Science to Medicine: Formal Transfer Schemes

The following universities in Australia have a formal transfer scheme from Biomedical Sciences to Medicine after one year of study:

University of Newcastle

Newcastle has a formal Biomedical Science to Medicine transfer scheme. The university considers applications from students who have completed Stage 1 of Biomedical Sciences to transfer to Stage 1 of the Medicine or Dentistry courses.  

The university considers applications from students have completed the first year of study of any of the following programmes: BSc Honours in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Genetics, Pharmacology or, Physiological Sciences.

This transfer scheme is highly competitive – they offer up to seven places and you’ll need to fulfil the same criteria as the other applicants to Medicine. If successful, you would start the first year of the course. 

However, they state on their website that you won’t be eligible for this transfer scheme if you’re studying BSc Sports and Exercise, BSc Food and Human Nutrition, BSc Nutrition and Psychology or BSc Food Marketing and Nutrition with Placement.

University of Leicester

The transfer scheme is a relatively new initiative at Leicester, and is available to students who have completed the first year of BSc Biological Sciences, BSc Medical Biochemistry, BSc Medical Genetics BSc Medical Physiology or BSc Medical Microbiology and want to transfer into the first year of the Medicine programme.

The university also state that students applying to transfer into the first year of the Medicine programme must meet the following requirements: you must have achieved strong A-Level grades (including Chemistry) and excellent grades in the first year of your Biomedical Sciences degree; you must demonstrate a strong commitment to Medicine (in the form of work experience and a strong personal statement) and must have sat the UCAT. Leicester also stress that transfers are not guaranteed and that places are highly competitive.

University of Bradford and Leeds Medical School

The University of Bradford has a widening participation scheme which means that students who fulfil the widening participation criteria and have completed the Foundation Year or Year 1 of Clinical Sciences will be considered to transfer to Leeds Medical School.

Leeds offers 20 places on the Year 1 Medicine course at Leeds for the Foundation Year students. In order to be transferred, these students must meet strict academic criteria – but the academic section is based on performance in the Foundation year, not on A-Levels and GCSEs. Students are then ranked and shortlisted for an MMI interview.

Most students continue into Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) Clinical Sciences degree at Bradford. This is accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC) as the equivalent of studying Year 1 Medicine at Leeds, and so Leeds Medical School also offers another 20 places in Year 2 Medicine for first year students to transfer into (still reliant on academic criteria).

University of Manchester

The University of Manchester accepts a small number of transfer students (approximately 10) who have performed exceptionally well in the first year of their degree programmes in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Manchester. Details of this scheme are published internally to eligible students.

Birmingham

Students at University of Birmingham who have successfully completed a Biomedical Sciences course are eligible apply. Up to ten graduate students are considered for a guaranteed interview scheme for the medicine course. The success rate of those gaining an interview was 70%, 40%, 43% and 50% in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Cardiff

Cardiff University has a number of places reserved for students completing a three year course from a recognised feeder stream. If successful, students will enter the second year of the five year undergraduate medical course after completing the three year BSc.

Students choosing this option are required to complete the GAMSAT admissions exam before applying via UCAS. It should also be noted that this degree is only for students on Cardiff’s recognised feeder streams who are graduating with one of the following degrees: BMedSci Degree from the University of Bangor (B100), BSc (Hons) Medical Science Degree from the University of South Wales (B901), BSc (Hons) Medical Pharmacology Degree from the School of Medicine at Cardiff University (B210) or BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences from the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University.

A small number of selected students from the feeder streams also take additional modules during their first degree. This makes them eligible to apply to be accepted onto the four year course, however you must graduate with a first or upper second class degree.

Biomedical Science to Medicine: Highly Competitive Transfer Schemes

The following universities do allow transfers from Biomedical Sciences to Medicine, but these are highly competitive and not a recommended route to Medicine:

University of Edinburgh

While you can transfer from Medical Sciences to first year Medicine, the university stresses that it’s highly, highly competitive – only three students have transferred in the last eight years, so it’s not a recommended route!

University of Plymouth

The university states that there is a chance of transferring from Biomedical Science to Medicine and Dentistry after completion of year one. However, they stress that this is highly competitive and there are only five places available each year.

Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University offers a transfer scheme for students who complete the first year of the BSc Medical Science or BSc Biomedical Science course to an exceptionally high standard. This is a highly competitive route and there is no guarantee of a place on the MBChB Medicine course due to limited availability of places.

Applicants for this competitive option are required to apply through UCAS. You must have a minimum average mark of 75% across the first year of their degree course, with no less than 65% for any individual module (achieved by 1st September of the year of entry). You also need to provide evidence of a current UCAT score (previously known as UKCAT).

Universities That Allow Transfer From Biomedical Science To Medicine

Biomedical Science to Medicine: Other Ways To Access Medicine

These universities do not offer internal transfers from Biomedical Science to Medicine early into your degree, but do provide other ways of studying Medicine after completing a Biomedical Sciences degree. This list is not exhaustive – many universities provide Graduate Entry Medicine programmes, which you can see here.

University of Exeter

The Medical School no longer allows accepts transfers from Biomedical Sciences to Medicine, however BSc Medical Sciences graduates who apply in their final year of study and are predicted to achieve a 2:1 or First Class honours will be shortlisted for interview, as long as there has been no professionalism issues during the degree.

University of Sussex

Sussex state that students who have completed the third year of their Biomedical Sciences degree are eligible for their Guaranteed Interview Scheme (not a transfer) for Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School provided they meet the following criteria: an excellent academic record in your first year of Biomedical Sciences and A-Level grades (they require three As, to include Biology and Chemistry).

St. George’s, University of London

Students currently studying the BSc Biomedical Sciences course can apply in the second year of their course to enter the second year of the medicine course, upon completing their three year course. UK and international students are eligible to apply for this route, however students are required to submit their second year results for consideration and then they may be invited to an MMI in July.

University of Sheffield

University of Sheffield do not currently have a formal transfer scheme, however they encourage students to complete their Biomedical Sciences degree and then apply for a traditional or graduate-level medicine course afterwards.

Students from other universities are not accepted into the second, third or fourth year of one of their Biomedical Science degree. This is because any modules you may have already studied at a different university are unlikely to match the modules Sheffield offer and this is seen as an unfair advantage.

Applicants must apply through UCAS to join one of the degree programmes in the first year. You must also meet the entry requirements, although your performance at your previous university may be taken into consideration.

Queen Mary, University of London

The 19 highest-ranked students from their Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience and Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics programmes are guaranteed an interview for the five-year A100 Medicine MBBS (Barts and The London). Students are selected at the end of the second year on the basis of an aggregate of academic ranking (50%) and UCAT score (50%). Of these students the top five will also be considered for the four-year A101 MBBS Graduate Entry programme.

Aston University

If your high school qualification alone is not enough to gain entry to Aston Medical School, you will be required to complete a UK foundation programme.

You can attend one of the following foundation programmes that Aston Medical School accept but you are required to attain the following grades:

Abbey College Manchester Medicine Foundation Programme: You must achieve a score of 75% overall with 70% or above in Chemistry and Biology.

CATS Canterbury, Cambridge and London Medics Programme: You must achieve grades of AAB, which must include Chemistry and Biology.

Kings Advanced Level Foundation Course: You must achieve a score of 75% overall with at least 70% in Chemistry and Biology.

This is in addition to the other stages of the application process (such as the personal statement, reference, UCAT, interview and English Language requirements).

Study Biomedicine or Biomedical Sciences: All you need to know

Author: Dee Lawlor — Last update: 18 May 2020

Biomedicine, sometimes Biomedical Science (or “BioMed”), is an academic field dedicated to the advancement of human medicine. It is a very diverse discipline – offering students an opportunity to explore the biological sciences and to work towards a career that can make a real difference in the world.

What is Biomedical Science?

Biomedical Science (Biomedicine) is the field of study that focuses on the areas of biology and chemistry that are relevant to healthcare. The discipline is very wide-ranging, and there are three general areas of specialty – life sciences, physiological sciences, and bioengineering. Careers in Biomedical Science are mostly research- and lab-based, with the aim to improve and advance medical knowledge.

The broadness of this discipline gives graduates many opportunities to specialise already during their studies, and thus offers many career options. It is a very ‘real-world’ discipline. Biomedical scientists regularly make headlines with advances in their fields, with results that you can see first-hand. As a biomedical scientist, you might be growing embryos for IVF, 3D-printing a heart, or finding a new medicine to fight cancer. Biomedicine is the field where biology, chemistry, and changing the world meet.

Where can I study Biomedical Science?

Biomedical Science is a very popular degree, and it is widely available across Europe. Note that some universities call it “Biomedicine”, which is the same discipline.

Universities that offer Bachelors in Biomedicine:

• Jacobs University Bremen (Germany)
• NUI Galway (Ireland)
• University of Kent (UK)

Universities that offer Masters in Biomedicine:

• Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) (Lithuania)
• University of Helsinki (Finland)
• University of Würzburg (Germany)

Is there a difference between Biomedicine and Biomedical Sciences?

“Biomedicine” and “Biomedical Sciences” usually refer to the same thing. Degree programmes might be named one or the other, but this is mostly driven by how a university wants to present their curriculum to students like you. To be sure about the course content, check a programme’s list of mandatory and elective modules.

What can I expect to study in a Biomedicine Bachelor’s programme?

An undergraduate course in Biomedicine covers an extremely diverse range of topics, making it an excellent choice for those who are yet unsure of where they would like to specialise.

As you advance through your degree, you will be offered many elective courses to choose from. It is a good idea to not specialise too early in your degree, as this will limit your options later on. You can expect to study subjects such as (but not limited to):

• Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology
• Microbiology, Cell Biology
• Toxicology, Pharmacology
• Epidemiology, Virology, Bacteriology, Immunology
• Biochemistry, Molecular Biology
• Phlebotomy
• Genetics, Embryology
• Bioinformatics
• Bioengineering

A standard degree in Biomedical Sciences is three years long and will result in a Bachelors of Science (BSc). Some universities alternatively offer four-year programmes that result in an “honours” degree, BSc (Hons). This will make it easier to pursue a Masters or PhD later on.

Entry requirements for Bachelor programmes in Biomedicine will differ depending on the university, but you can expect to need good grades in Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry.

What can I expect to study in a Biomedicine Master’s (MSc) programme?

It is at the Master’s level that most Biomedicine students choose a speciality, although a broad qualification is also an option. Your choices for postgraduate study will usually align with what courses you chose at undergraduate level. For example, a Master’s programme that is based heavily on genetics will be a good choice if you have covered genetics in detail during your Bachelor’s, but would be difficult if your focus previously lay elsewhere.

The Masters that you choose will have a significant impact on your career path, so this is a good time to really think about where you want your career to go. Likewise, if you want to do a PhD, you need to ensure that your MSc aligns with the career or research field that you want to go into. Therefore, pay attention to the course content laid out in the curriculum when you decide which Masters to apply to.

Postgraduate courses are usually one or two years long and, as in undergrad, will be a mix of classroom-based and lab-based learning. You will usually need to have achieved a good final mark in your BSc degree to qualify for an MSc. In the UK, that often means an upper second-class Bachelor’s (or “2.1”); in other countries, criteria can differ.

What should I know about doing a PhD in Biomedicine?

If you want to become an expert in your area of Biomedical Sciences, then pursuing a PhD is for you. Like other STEM subjects, a Biomedicine PhD usually takes a minimum of three years. Anything less than this is considered too short a time to have achieved anything significant enough to deserve a doctorate. Most PhD programmes are three or four years long, but they can last several years, depending on your project and the available funding.

It is possible to go straight from a BSc into a PhD programme, but you will need to have achieved very good marks. The application process for an PhD will usually include an interview and you will need to provide references from your lecturers and/or advisors.

PhD students will work closely with an advisor, who will guide and support them through their project. PhD projects involve a lot of research, experimental work, and data processing. At the end of the PhD programme, if you are successful in contributing something new to your field of science, you will earn the title of Doctor.

The best universities for Biomedical Science

Teaching and research standards in Europe are high and you can expect to get high-quality education. If you are looking to get your Biomedicine degree from a top university, rankings can serve as one indication.

There is no ranking specifically for Biomedicine. But what comes close is the “Life Sciences” ranking by Times Higher Education. Here are the top universities in 2020 in a selection of European countries:

• Best in the United Kingdom: University of Cambridge (1st worldwide)
• Best in Switzerland: ETH Zurich (11th worldwide)
• Best in the Netherlands: Wageningen University & Research (20th worldwide)
• Best in Sweden: Karolinska Institute (25th worldwide)
• Best in Germany: LMU Munich (31st worldwide)
• Best in Finland: University of Helsinki (71st worldwide)

How to pick the right university for Biomedical Science?

Biomedicine is a very popular course, and most universities that offer it are well-practiced at delivering a valuable curriculum. Some universities (especially in the UK) offer degree programmes with industrial placements. If you think you want to work in the private industry, then a course that includes a work placement will be a great choice. If no placement is embedded in the curriculum, you can always use semester breaks for internships.

Also, look for a university in a city where there are nearby pharmaceutical companies or large hospitals. They will always be interested in hiring graduates as they finish university, or hiring students as interns.

If you think you are going to be more interested in staying in academia, check out what research facilities the university has. Explore their website, try to find out what their lecturers specialise in, and try to learn more about the research projects that current PhD students are doing. It will give you an idea of the research areas that the university invests in.

Can studying Biomedical Science get me into Medicine?

Some universities accept Biomedical Science as an alternative entry into studying Medicine, i.e. to become a medical doctor. However, do not consider Biomedicine merely a feeder course! Most universities offer a very limited number of transfer places – many offer less than ten each year – and competition for those places is very high. So, while it is possible to use Biomedicine as a path into Medicine, it is not a recommended tactic.

Different universities have different criteria for transferring. Some universities will allow high-performing Biomedicine students to transfer into medicine after year one or two of their BioMed degree. Others will ask you to complete your degree in BioMed first.

Criteria for a transfer usually include that

• you have performed excellently in your university exams and course work,
• you have studied certain subjects previously, such as chemistry, and
• you pass an interview, and have demonstrated excellent conduct and professionalism during your time in university.

Transfers between courses are usually internal, meaning you cannot transfer to a different university. However, if you have finished your undergraduate degree, you can then apply to Medicine somewhere else.

If you are considering trying to use Biomedicine as a way to transfer into medicine, contact the university directly and discuss your options with them first.

How is studying Biomedical Science different from Biotechnology?

Biomedical Science and Biotechnology (“BioTech”) or Bioengineering overlap in many places, but they differ in their ultimate goal. In Biomedicine, everything is aimed at medical applications, ranging from diagnostics to research. In Biotechnology or Bioengineering, the end goal may be more open, and your methods may be different. As a Biotechnologist, your work can be aimed at agriculture, green energy, technology, food science, or the environmental industry.

Top reasons for studying Biomedical Science

Choosing your course is a big decision and there is a lot of information to take in. Here, put simply, are the three main reasons that make studying Biomedicine a great choice:

1. It’s very broad: BioMed is an incredibly diverse field. You will have the chance to explore lots of different areas of life science before choosing which path you want to take. Don’t specialise too early in your education, though, so as not to restrict your career and postgraduate options.
2. It’s a desirable qualification: Many industries require biomedical scientists and the skills learned are highly transferable.
3. You can make a real difference in the world: Advances in medicine, cures for diseases, environmental investigations – Biomedical scientists are at the forefront of it all!

Career options for Biomedicine graduates

The careers available to you as a Biomedicine graduate are as wide ranging as the subjects you can study during your degree programme. Biomedical career paths are usually focused on research, analysis, or development. You can choose to stay in academia and pursue a PhD, researching and developing new diagnostic or medical treatments. Or you can go out into the world and start an exciting career in the private sector. The sky’s the limit!

Examples of careers you can have with a qualification in Biomedical Sciences include:

• Research scientist: Make new discoveries and develop cures, treatments, and diagnostic techniques. Research scientists can work in nearly every industry, not just healthcare.
• Biotechnologist: Have a deep understanding of the building blocks of life. Use this knowledge to discover and develop novel uses and treatments for cells, tissues, and organs.
• Forensic scientist: Use science to identify and analyse evidence from accidents and crime scenes.
• Bioengineer: Build artificial organs, design machines and devices for healthcare.
• Lab Technician or Lab Manager: Run a laboratory and support researchers in their work.
• Toxicologist: Investigate toxins and their effects. Work in healthcare or help protect the environment.
• Virologist: Study, identify and fight viruses.
• Clinical scientist: Be able to test for and identify a wide range of samples, research and develop new techniques for diagnosing illnesses.
• Medical chemist: Be an expert in how medicines work, discover and develop new medicines.
• Microbiologist: Study and work with microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, yeast, etc.
• Epidemiologist: Study and analyse how diseases spread and advise on how to contain and treat them.
• Phlebotomist: Know how to test blood for diagnostics, conduct transfusions, and take donations.

Remember that this is just a small sample of the careers you can pursue with a qualification in Biomedical Science.

What advice do you have for a Biomedicine student?

Learn good lab skills! Learning to be confident and competent at basic laboratory tasks such as micro-pipetting, titrations, preparing microscope slides, balancing a centrifuge, etc. will make a huge difference to your biomedical career.

When applying for jobs – especially at the beginning of your career – laboratories will prefer candidates with strong lab skills. It means they can trust you to perform tasks, and that saves them time and money. Experience and skills in laboratory work are highly desired and transferable across all areas of science.

birmingham biomedical science transfer to medicine
st georges transfer to medicine
transfer from biomedical science to medicine St. George’s, University of London

What are similar subjects I could study?

Biomedicine is a cross-disciplinary subject that not only combines Biology, Chemistry, and Medicine, but also incorporates aspects of many other subjects. Some of these may suit you better, depending on your personal preferences:

• Medicine: If you want to interact with patients directly and help them get well, consider studying Medicine. Studying Medicine will make you an MD (Medical Doctor).
• Biology: Biology is an incredibly diverse science with many more areas to specialise in.
• Biotechnology / Bioengineering: Use Biology to explore and solve real-world issues in a range of industries.
• Biochemistry: For those who love Chemistry as much as they love Biology. Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within the body.
• Life Sciences: Many universities offer degrees in what they call “Life Sciences”, and this is often a broad term for a variety of Biology-related subjects. Check the curricula to find something that excites you.
• Bioinformatics: Research in Biology often heavily relies on data. Bioinformatics is the science of handling and analysing large amounts of scientific data. Some universities also call this “Life Science Informatics”.
• Pharmacology / Pharmacy: If you are specifically interested in pharmaceutical applications and researching potential new medicines, this is your area.