Biomedical sciences vs biomedicine

[LoniceraJaponica]

DD has had offers from a couple of universities for biomedical sciences. One is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and the other by the IBMS. Another option is to study biomedicine which is not accredited by any organisation as far as I can see.

Does anyone know which degree is going to be the best in terms of future employability? I know that IBMS degrees mean that you can work in the NHS, and we have been told by the university that has the RSB accreditation that their accreditation will open more doors.

Any advice anyone?

I spent about 20 years in basic medical science research before becoming a full-time teacher/manager. I have no idea what "biomedicine" is.

As you said, a graduate with a biomedical sciences degree accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) can register with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a biomedical scientist and work in this role in the NHS without having to do an additional period of laboratory work to gain a certificate of competence. It's not a role with great career prospects but it suits some people very well. Accreditation by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) doesn't have any specific meaning: it's just a kind of quality kite mark, but that doesn't mean a degree that doesn't have it isn't just as good as one that does.

In terms of employability, it depends what kind of employment. If you actually want to be an NHS biomedical scientist, having an IBMS-accredited degree will save a bit of time. Otherwise, having a high degree class, having some additional experience to demonstrate transferrable skills, and being able to make a case for selection in an application/interview will be more important than having an extra logo on your degree certificate.

Thank you for your reply Harry. I am sceptical about the way universities sell themselves these days. DD is a good prospect as far as a university is concerned as she has excellent A level results and is currently on a gap year. She is working just now.

DD did a Biomedical degree that was BioMedicine ie: not accredited. She specifically chose a course not accredited as she was not interested in working in the NHS, but was interested in Medicine and Medical Research but not Lab based. She will be starting a job soon as a Health Economist.

Encourage your DD to look at the way the biomedical world is changing.

When doing the rounds with DD1 a few years ago she was often lumped in with the BioMed group (DD1 applying for BioChem). In one uni they were very proud of their accredited course. 2 years at uni, one year at local hospital path lab, final year at uni then off you go to work in a path lab.

In another uni we were shown some of their research. This included development of technology which would allow 'on site' testing for various conditions.

DD1 has now graduated and has started work as a research assistant in a company which develops testing equipment. This is the way it is going, more and more diagnosis will be done by spitting, bleeding, weeing, pooing on a stick.

This will only mean less and less work for path labs.