Scholarships
The scholarships below are open to international students and those applying from England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a 2.1 or above for a postgraduate course.
MSc Biomedical Sciences
Hands-on MSc exploring diagnostics and near-patient testing. Learn in labs with option to apply for placement. Shape the future of healthcare.
Course detail
Start Date
September and January,January,SeptemberDuration
Full-time: 12 months (Sep start) or 16 months (Jan start) | Part-time: 24 months (Sep start) or 28 months (Jan start)Award Title
MScUCAS Code
Apply DirectProgramme Overview
The development of in vitro diagnostics and their implementation as near-patient tests is increasing in importance as part of a paradigm shift in healthcare practice. Care providers, globally, have committed to a transition to a more personalised and adaptive community-based approach and away from traditional hospital-based care.
The World Health Organisation note that accurate, rapid and affordable point-of-care tests (POCT) will increase access to testing and identification of infections, no matter the level of healthcare system. Rapid advances in technology and practice have resulted in the development of increasingly sophisticated and effective devices being used in health care.
Highly skilled biomedical scientists, alongside the wider spectrum of health and care workers, with a solution-oriented mindset are required to support this shift in delivery.
This Biomedical Sciences Master's degree is among the first in the world to give focus to this area and deliver a programme designed to address evolving healthcare needs.
Industry placement
Please note: you will be registered on the MSc Biomedical Sciences, which includes a research project. All students will get the opportunity to apply to undertake an industrial placement as an alternative to the research project. Placements, subject to availability, are on a competitive basis and are subject to an application and interview with the placement provider. If successful, you will be moved on to the MSc Biomedical Sciences with Industrial Practise.
Who this course is for
This programme is aimed at:
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Existing biomedical scientists wanting to specialise in diagnostics and POCT.
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Health and care professionals (for example, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists) who want to focus on technological advances in how care is delivered.
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Graduates in life sciences or chemistry looking to enter the biomedical and diagnostics sector.
If you already work in a related field or have non-standard qualifications, your application will be considered individually based on your experience, prior study and references
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this programme, you’ll be equipped to work in healthcare systems around the world as a point-of-care specialist and diagnostics professional.
Typical destinations include:
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Diagnostic and medical device manufacturers, focusing on POCT and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) development.
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Healthcare providers such as the NHS and independent providers, in roles focused on implementation, quality management and evaluation of diagnostic technologies.
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Biomedical and life sciences companies working on new tests, platforms and monitoring tools.
The combination of advanced biomedical science, quality-systems knowledge and near-patient testing expertise positions you well for a sector that is growing and evolving rapidly.
Tailor your learning
In addition to core biomedical principles – including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics – this MSc lets you tailor your learning towards what interests you most.
You’ll choose to focus your project work on either:
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Designing and executing experiments for healthcare applications such as diagnostics and pharmaceuticals – with an emphasis on assay design, validation and data interpretation.
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Implementing and monitoring near-patient testing devices – concentrating on introducing POCT into practice, training users, and monitoring quality and performance over time.
Whichever route you take, you’ll receive practical training in quality systems, regulatory expectations and the safe development and use of healthcare products. Alongside subject knowledge, you’ll build critical thinking, problem-solving, digital and advanced laboratory skills that transfer directly into work.
Learn from industry experts
Developed and delivered in collaboration with the NHS and industry partners, the programme blends academic and practitioner expertise.
You will learn from:
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Experienced academics working in biomedical sciences and diagnostics.
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Industry experts and healthcare professionals with first-hand experience of introducing and using POCT and other diagnostic technologies.
This qualification will put you in a strong position to join an exciting and quickly evolving industry.
World class facilities
You'll have access to our state-of-the-art Biomedical Sciences labs. You'll spend between 78-96 hours during the taught modules learning about experimental design and will also have access to commercially available in vitro diagnostic devices.
Learning and Assessment
You’ll be taught through a mixture of:
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Lectures to introduce key biomedical and diagnostics concepts.
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Practical tutorials and lab classes in dedicated Biomedical Sciences labs.
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Independent study to consolidate and extend what you’ve covered in timetabled sessions.
Assessment is mainly through:
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Practical projects and lab reports.
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Written assignments and exams.
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An independent research project or a project linked to an industrial placement, reflecting an area of particular interest or a real workplace challenge.
Full-time students normally complete the degree in 12–16 months, depending on their start date. Part-time students spread the same content over 24–28 months, which can be easier to balance alongside work.
Entry Requirements
Choosing the right Master’s is about both fit and eligibility.
We normally look for at least a 2:2 honours degree in a biomedical or life science subject. We’ll also consider applicants from other science or data-related backgrounds who can show a clear interest in diagnostics, near-patient testing and biomedical applications, and we may take relevant professional experience in areas such as biomedical science, other science fields, primary care or data analytics into account.
Use the UK and International entry tabs to check the qualifications we accept, then use your application to tell us about any relevant laboratory, healthcare or data experience.
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree (2:2 or better) in a field related to Applied Bioscience, Bioscience, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Virology, Human Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Genetics, Forensic Biology, Health Sciences.
Consideration will be given to applicants who have relevant professional experience in areas including biomedical science and other science fields, primary care and data analytics.
Fees and Funding
Please note: this course will run over 16 months full-time and 28 months part-time if you begin your studies in January.
Postgraduate study is a significant investment, so it’s important to understand the full picture.
The tuition fees you’ll pay and the funding available depend on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you’re studying. If you’re studying a postgraduate taught (PGT) degree, your fee status will be classed as one of the following:
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Scotland
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England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland
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International
Fee Status
Your fee status is typically based on the country where you’ve lived on a regular, non-temporary basis for the three years prior to the start of your course.
We’ll confirm your tuition fees once you’ve applied.
International
International includes applicants from EU countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled Status in the UK. (Students from the Republic of Ireland are not included.)
Annual Tuition Fees
|
Fee Status |
2025/26 |
2026/27 |
|
£7,900 |
£7,900* |
|
|
£10,400 |
£10,400* |
|
|
£17,000 |
£18,950** |
*Tuition fees for 2026/27 are still under review and may be subject to change.
**Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £3,000-£7,000 over the duration of their course.
More information
Find out about grants, bursaries, maintenance loans and living costs in our postgraduate taught fees and funding section.
Abertay Postgraduate Taught rUK Scholarship
This £1,000 award is open to all prospective new postgraduate students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Abertay International Scholarship
An award of up to £3,000 per year for up to a maximum of four years, for prospective new international undergraduate and postgraduate taught students.
How to Apply
You apply directly to Abertay using our online form.
To strengthen your application:
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Explain your academic background in biomedical or life sciences and how it relates to diagnostics and near-patient testing.
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Highlight any relevant professional experience – for example, in biomedical labs, healthcare, diagnostics, primary care or data analytics.
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Show why you’re interested in POCT and evolving models of care, and the types of roles you’re aiming for after graduation.
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If you’re interested in the industrial placement route, say how you’d like to work with industry or healthcare partners and what you’d hope to gain.
If you have non-standard qualifications but relevant experience, be explicit about your responsibilities and what skills you’ve built.
Information for International Applicants
Learn more about Abertay's English language requirements, as well as visa information.
English Language Requirements
Explore English language requirements for entry to Abertay University.
Visa Information
All the information you need about visa requirements for studying here at Abertay University.
International Students
Find everything you need to know about applying to Abertay as an international student.
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