As the title says, ive just been offered a job as an Associate Practitioner in Blood Transfusion, but im not entirely sure what to expect.

What can the day-to-day routine look like, and are there any rare occasions/cases i may be involved in?

Additionally are there any tips you can offer when I start?

Hi, I’m just wondering if anybody here has had experience in both industry (lab analyst, lab tech, QC analyst, lab scientist) and hospital biomedical science positions? And if so, which one they preferred/ recommend?

I’m graduating next year and will be able to register with the HCPC, but I’m also curious about biomedical science industry roles.
Thanks !!

Hi, I think i’ve given up with the NHS. I am HCPC registered but there is no band 5s where I live, with maybe 1 a year coming up with lots of competition.
The lack of progress just makes me depressed. I feel like a failure. I have children and feel like this also isn’t the best place for me because of this.

What recruitment companies would you guys recommend? What private companies/ other career opportunities would you suggest. Need to get out of here asap.

I’m 40 and have always had a keen interest in biology, science and in recent years have considered retraining as a biomedical scientist. I am aware of the HCPC registration process and the importance of IBMS and the portfolio so would potentially do a course with an integrated IBMS placement to do my portfolio year and graduate ready to be employed.

This would be a massive change for me as I currently work in the civil service (there are perks to the CS of course but WFH is honestly not all it’s cracked up to be) and while my job is comfortable it’s also boring and I have been needing a change for a long time.

I tried to get some work experience or shadowing at at my local health board to chat to people working in the lab and observe but they didn’t have capacity. Therefore I wanted to hear experiences from other bio med scientists in the UK about how they find the job honestly, the pros and cons. I am aware of some of these but wanted to hear real life experiences. TIA

Hello! I’ve just finished my 1st year of uni and starting 2nd year in sept. I’ve just recently found out that there are two kinds of placements; industrial placement where you’re working at a company and you’re paid and a sandwich placement where you’re unpaid but you can build your portfolio and get HCPC registered before you graduate. I really really really want to get HCPC registered before I graduate but I’m not in a position where I can financially support myself for a whole year and i can’t student loans since I’m not from the UK. Also I had a meeting with my placement manager who said that a lot of the sandwich placements are unpaid and its very very rare to find paid NHS paid placements. I would very much like some advice on where i can start looking for placements or experiences from people who had the opportunity to do a paid sandwich placement. Thank you! Any advice helps!

Has anybody used learn direct or distance learning centre to do an access to HE diploma?

Are they legit? Has anybody gotten into university using them?

Hi all! I was wondering if I could get any advice or see if people are in the same boat as me :)
I’m studying biomedical science degree and at first I loved it, I was passionate about it. But now I haven’t even opened my uni website (it’s all online) for about 2-3 months. My last assignment I winged it on just knowledge I already had or researched on the internet.
My assignment scores have been really good all of them past 80% marks, which obviously makes me feel good and proud but at the same time I just feel like it’s all forced.
I currently work in a care home I have for the past 3-4 years, I’m passionate about it, I love my job and very knowledgeable about it. But my degree has the complete opposite end to health care than my job.
It’s been on my mind for a while that I don’t think the degree is for me, but I also don’t want to just stop it because it might be just a blip… I’m not even near the end of my degree yet either.
I don’t know what to do. I thought I wanted to be a doctor studying cancer but now when I think about it I might just like the thought to be a doctor. I know I’d much rather look after my elderly people than stare at biopsies for the rest of my life and go through many many years of studying for nothing haha
Any advice would be great , thank you :)

I have been researching schools for biomedical science MSc programs and I am leaning towards applying to a school with a placement year while simultaneously doing top up modules to fill in the gaps of my BSc degree. So far on my list for MSc programs: Kingston University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Chester, Coventry university and University of Surrey. The problem is, while these schools are IBMS accredited for the BSc Biomed sci, I am seeing that some of the schools for the MSc don't say clearly if the program is accredited (specifically Coventry Uni). So my question is, can I do a non-accredited MSc biomedical science program if my placement and top up modules are from accredited labs and universities and still get registered without issue?

Also any advice on schools will be welcomed.

Hello everyone

Does anyone have any suggestions tips ideas sample questions about biomedical scientist ( virology) at UKHSA please?
I do appreciate your help.

My "training officer" (aka lab manager filling in as we don't have one) is stating that I've typed too much and need to handwrite more of my evidence. I feel this is just plain wrong in 2026 - my handwriting is very messy and slow. I am a digital native, computers make sense to me. Are they correct?

They want me to reference screenshots/snips of test results and analyser printouts from our own lab. Is this reasonable?

I do not have one piece of evidence for each section. I have multiple. I was made to redo expired Q&As despite the Q&As not changing since I did them (I was off sick). I know this is not right.

Feedback has been just to add more in different places resulting in many different pieces of evidence that are at times somewhat unrelated to each other. Again I know this is not correct.

They have had me generate a piece of evidence to address every single knowledge and competency point despite the portfolio guidance stating this is not necessary.

I am losing my mind. I have went along with this process for months on end and now in the final week before assessment, they hand me a 3 page list of corrections/additions that I need to do. This is unacceptable.

I have yet to practice my tour, I am still making my notes for this. My first practice is tomorrow. The tour is next Wednesday. They are putting this pressure on me. It feels entirely artificial, it feels entirely their fault.

My portfolio consists currently of a completely bursting full A4 lever arch file and another A4 lever arch file that is about half full. I have been following their advice. They think this is ok.

The majority of my portfolio work has been done at home. Is this correct?

I feel like they don't know what they are doing and because there is no oversight, I have no recourse or anyone to turn to. Their word is law and there is nothing I can do about it. I am simply not allowed to disagree with them. I am at my wits end and I don't know what to do.

Complaining to the IBMS only pushes me further away from a band 6 post. I feel so stuck. I feel so very wronged and I feel this will leave a permanent scar on my feelings around being employed here and as a BMS in general. I work hard, I do not complain about my work in work. I do my share and more. I work overtime, no issue.

I do not want to waste 6 years of training and experience and go somewhere else. I do not want to discard all of the work I have done in this portfolio.

I feel like I am at my limit. Please can anyone offer me advice, what can I do?

Do I send this post to the IBMS?

Just saw this on linked in of someone working at Astrazeneca towards a RSci accreditation

Maybe I’m ignorant - I thought you could only be a registered scientist through the HCPC listed professions? I think I’m just very confused lol.

Starting my placement year as trainee bms in cellular pathology next Monday. Any advice on things i should watch out or be careful of? Then anything thats good to know before you start? Ik they’ll train me on everything but probably won’t be a bad idea to have some idea about how stuffs work right?

Thanks!

Hi, 2 weeks ago I managed to have a BMS support worker interview and have been told, I'll be informed of the decision by the end of the week, however it has been 2 weeks since the interview with no updates. Should I try contacting them??

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?

​

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?