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MSc Biomedical Laboratory Science

Study Mode Full-time
Year of Entry 2025/26
Students in lab coats preparing experiments

MSc

Biomedical Laboratory Science

Work in industry-standard facilities, gaining an understanding of human disease from the biological mechanisms that underpin disease pathology to the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £10,620 for the course
    International/EU: £17,725 for the course

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    1 Year

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2025


Course summary

  • Gain an in-depth understanding of modern biomedical laboratory sciences.
  • Develop applied research techniques using state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
  • Build confidence in presenting your work to academic and professional audiences.
  • Enhance your investigative skills, including the design, execution and interpretation of practical work.

Biomedical science plays a crucial role in healthcare, driving innovations in disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Our MSc course equips you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills required to understand normal and pathological cell processes, linking them to clinical features, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic responses in various model diseases. To complete an extended research project, see our MRes Biomedical Laboratory Science course.


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How you learn

You’ll study in an engaging and supportive environment, designed to develop your independence, critical thinking and professional skills. The course follows our Hallam Model, ensuring an applied, collaborative and industry-relevant approach to your learning.

Lectures introduce key concepts, with interactive discussions and problem-solving exercises to encourage deeper learning. You'll engage with recent scientific developments and apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Key skills are embedded in your modules and research project – including scientific writing, literature and database searching, data handling and critical analysis. 

You’ll progress from tutor-led to student-centred learning, encouraging independence and professional growth. You’ll receive continuous guidance and constructive feedback to support your academic journey.

You learn through:

  • lectures and seminars
  • interactive workshops
  • practical laboratory classes
  • independent research project work
  • small group academic tutorials

Key themes

The Biomedical Laboratory Science MSc offers a comprehensive exploration of a range of scientific disciplines applicable to modern biomedical science, providing the advanced knowledge and research skills you’ll need for a career in academia, industry or healthcare. Through a combination of taught modules and practical research, you’ll gain expertise from cell structure and function through to full disease systems.

Course-level support

  • You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
  • access to academic and career development support
  • one-to-one guidance from student support advisers
  • online and in-person resources from the Skills Centre, including assignment planning and structuring assistance

Course leaders and tutors

Sarah Forbes
Sarah Forbes
Senior lecturer microbiology, MSc/MRes Molecular Microbiology, MSc/MRes Biomedical Laboratory Science

I am a lecturer in biomedical sciences working within the fields of antimicrobial chemotherapy and microbial ecology

Applied learning

Networking opportunities

You’ll benefit from strong links with NHS hospitals – including Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Rotherham General Hospital, and Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. These partnerships ensure the course delivers up-to-date knowledge and research skills that enhance your employability.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

  • academic research or a PhD
  • the health biotechnology sector
  • the industrial biotechnology sector
  • the pharmaceutical industry

Previous graduates have gone on to work for:

  • the NHS
  • Public Health England
  • Novartis
  • ThermoFisher Scientific

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.


Learn more about your department

Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour

Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.

Department page

Equipment and facilities

Teaching takes place in lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and specialist laboratory facilities. Through our virtual learning environment Blackboard you’ll be able to access learning materials, interactive resources and course information – both on-campus and remotely.

You’ll have access to industry-standard equipment, gaining hands-on experience in scenario-based practical sessions. You’ll gain the technical expertise and practical experience needed for a career in biomedical science, using facilities such as:

  • award-winning cell culture suites
  • aseptic microbiology facilities
  • high-powered fluorescent microscopes for cell and tissue analysis
  • state-of-the-art mass spectrometry equipment
  • molecular biology facilities allowing quantification of nucleic acids and proteins
  • an extensive range of analytical equipment, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC)

360 tour - biosciences and chemistry facilities

Entry requirements

All students

A 2:1 in a relevant Honours degree is normally accepted as the entry requirement for the course. Applicants with a 2:2 are also actively encouraged to apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants with alternative qualifications with academic attainment or skills in subjects which are directly relevant to the course will also be considered.

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Laboratory And Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ Practice
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Applied Diagnostics
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Exam(50%)
Applied Laboratory Practice
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Case Studies In Pathology
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Mechanisms Of Disease
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Exam(50%)
Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ Project
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Case Studies In Infectious Disease
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Cell And Molecular Biology
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Exam(50%)
Cell Biology
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Exam(50%)
Cellular And Molecular Basis Of Cancer
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Genomics And Proteomics
Credits 15
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,858 is available in 2025/26 for home students on most masters courses.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 131.3KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

Rated Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and graduate outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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