r/BiomedicalScientistUK

Hello, I live in Manchester and was planning to study Biomedical Science at university in still in college right now . However, a lot of people have been telling me that if I choose this degree, I won’t be able to get a job afterwards, so now I’m feeling really unsure about what to do.

My mum is encouraging me to study Speech and Language Therapy because it’s in high demand, but I’m honestly not interested in it at all. I don’t want to spend years studying for a career that I don’t enjoy, but at the same time I don’t want to choose a degree that leaves me struggling to find work.
I’m feeling quite stuck and would really appreciate some honest advice.

The thing that’s worrying me is that, even with a placement year, I know people who studied Biomedical Science and still struggled to get a job afterwards. It makes me question whether it’s the right choice.
It also feels like every career I’m even slightly interested in seems to have people saying it’s difficult to find work, so I’m feeling really stuck. I don’t want to spend years studying for a degree only to end up unemployed, but I also don’t want to choose a career that I’m not interested in just because it’s considered a safer option.

Hi, I am a year 12 student hoping to study biomedical science at uni. I’ve been looking for ways to improve my personal statement but obviously getting work experience in a lab is very difficult. Are there any other kinds of biomed related work experience or courses that would be useful to have done when applying for uni? Thank you in advance :)

Recently graduated with a 2:1 with honours IBMS accredited degree and looking for advice into getting into the job market. I understand everyone’s struggling with this but any tips would greatly be appreciated or where I should start.

Not necessarily into the BMS route specifically but anything similar ie healthcare/science/lab based or even more admin healthcare based. What job roles should I be looking for? Any qualifications I can do
in the meantime? As I have no other experience in labs or healthcare outside of my degree. Tips on getting experience?

Also currently weighing up a masters somewhere in the future. Medical neuroscience would be something I’d be looking into. Thoughts?

I graduated last year in Biomedical Sciences with a 2:1 but my degree was unaccredited, and since then I have been struggling to get a job relevant to my degree. I was only able to get a job as a Clinical Trials Associate but it’s only bank hours and I’ve barely been called in for shifts.

I’m currently in year 12 and I want to go into biomed which I’ll be applying for over the summer however I want to go to a uni that is known for being pretty good but all of these seem to lack ibms accreditation. Is it worth going to a more prestigious uni and getting top up modules or just going to an accredited uni?

I’m a recent Biomedical Science graduate and I’m honestly struggling to understand the job market right now.
I’ve applied to 60+ jobs so far, including many roles within the NHS, and I’m still having no luck.

Could someone advise me or give me an opportunity. I’d work for the experience even if it’s unpaid

I am a 2nd year biomedical student still didn't figure out what should be learnt before I complete my degree so that I could land well settled company. And to be mentioned am I cse group student in school i had the interest learn something in every stages of my life. Please drop your guidance messages.New to reddit too 🙃

The phrase "Correct, first time, every time." comes to mind when talking about being a scientist, but we know that people make mistakes and human error can occur.

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Is there anything you are willing to share that made you think "I am never going to do that again"?

Hi all, looking for some real-world input from people who've navigated this. My situation:

• BSc Biomedical Sciences, non-IBMS-accredited, 2:2 classification
• International student, will need visa sponsorship to work in the UK long-term
• Already started the IBMS degree assessment process to find out what top-up modules I'd need

I'd originally planned to use an MLA role as a stepping stone so that would be to get NHS lab experience, do top-up modules alongside it, then work toward the IBMS registration training portfolio and HCPC registration. But from what I've been reading (immigration rules appendix skilled occupations, NHS Employers guidance on the Temporary Shortage List), MLA/Band 2-3 support roles don't look reliably sponsorable since SOC 3111 (Laboratory technicians) seems to be the only lab-adjacent code with any flexibility, and even that requires 3+ years' experience to qualify for the salary discount, which rules out entry-level posts. On top of that, TSL eligibility for 3111 is only confirmed until the end of 2026 pending the MAC's review.

So I'm trying to figure out if there's a more realistic path. Specifically:

1. Has anyone gone from a non-accredited degree assessment straight into Band 5 Biomedical Scientist without an MLA stepping stone? How did that work logistically (top-up modules + portfolio while not employed in a lab)?
2. Has anyone used the Graduate visa to get an MLA-equivalent placement unsponsored (since Graduate visa doesn't require employer sponsorship), then transitioned to sponsorship once HCPC registered at Band 5?
3. Any experience with Band 3/4 Associate Practitioner posts and sponsorship — does the recent SOC 6131 salary threshold change (April 2026) ever apply in practice to lab-based AP roles, or is that really just nursing/care?
4. Some transferable lab skills from university final year project and coursework, and a lab-based internship (both in research and hospital labs) back in my home country, plus two one-day observation visits at NHS hospital labs (so limited UK clinical lab exposure, but not zero)

Genuinely trying to plan realistically rather than assume the traditional route will still be open by the time I'm ready to apply. Appreciate any first-hand experience and any advice for my situation.

Thanks in advance.

Hi there all. I've finally gotten a job offer! It's a Band 5 BMS job role in clinical biochemistry. I got the phone call on the same day about 3 hours after my interview (Friday 26th June) and they said that they'd start the paperwork on Monday.

Just wondering, how long will it be until I get a conditional offer? Will it be on email or their portal (mine wasnt on trac but it is also an NHS trust)

Was wondering when my start date roughly be, and was wondering how long it took others? I just haven't heard back from them since the phone call.

Thanks!

Update: 02/07/2026 got my formal conditional offer letter and now completing my pre-empolyment checks.

Hi all, just need to rant and maybe get a bit of advice. I have attended about 7 interviews with me been unsuccessful in all, I usually request feedback and try to improve, I have had mock interviews wit experienced BMS who has reviewed my answers and all. I’m just all so exhausted I feel like a failure. I have literally done everything. The feedbacks are usually that I interviewed well but they just gone with another candidate. I have experience and currently work in the same role I am interviewing for just want to change trust. Any advice, am I doing something wrong. Help pls.

We do this and there's so many nuisance results. However we occasionally do detect the odd enzyme only antibody - (Often Anti-E) Which has sparked debate in my lab as some say its still clinically significant but some say it isn't

Are there any entry level jobs with no master?

Let’s include near misses as well

As an MLA when I first started i got A LOT, like one a month a lot. Panicked but now 8 ish months in I haven’t had one for 3 months, sadly just recently I got a near miss even. Had 6 night shifts in a row and accidentally didn’t book in a test off a request at like 7:15 am, supervisor fair play to him but me some slack as I was obviously running on empty at that point and have improved.

In my trust there’s about 12 ish specimen reception MLAs and we book in 3500 ish requests a day (multiple samples per request usually. I do my fair share of day obviously so in the grand scheme of things an event every 3 months ain’t awful but still not happy with it.

Saying that, from your guys experience what is an average or acceptable level of this kinda stuff? Granting they’re not stupid errors, they’re simple mistakes anyone can make, or things that are a little out of the usual rather than obvious incompetence.

I want at least a rough target given to me so I can say to myself ‘ok try to improve but if you’re operating at this level don’t worry too much’

I finished my portfolio 10 weeks ago. I am no longer at the lab.
I was told it takes 12(ish) weeks to hear back from IBMS about an assessment date. I’m completely fine with that.

However, as it stands, my portfolio is only 48% complete. While on placement I asked constantly for things to be signed off, I kept getting told “tomorrow”, “next week”. I was told 2 weeks ago it would be done “next week” This caused me significant stress I felt abandoned to do it alone. Is there anything apart from begging them that I can do?

Also, my experience on placement was extremely poor, I was constantly passed from trainer to trainer with no real plan of what I was doing. My portfolio tasks were never planned and I was left to my own devices when completing it, despite each task stating “work with your training officer to complete this task”. I felt completely isolated while on placement and felt like no one really wanted me there and that I was a huge hinderance to their day to day work. My experience on placement has really changed my mind about being a BMS in the NHS.

I feel as if my lab were unable to teach and had no idea what they were doing when it came to the portfolio. Can I complain to the IBMS, is there anything I can do?

Hello all, I’m a F6 student in HK who is choosing a uni program. I’m considering Biomedical Sciences in CUHK or HKU.

Even though I love biology, many say that there are very few job opportunities.
I’m not sure if I want to do research in the future, and I’m open to exploring other paths like biotech, clinical trials, or health-tech. But I have also considered being a teacher.
Could any current students or graduates share what career options actually look like beyond the lab? Also, if it’s possible for me to be a teacher after studying Biomed?

I’d really appreciate any advice—thanks in advance!

I graduated last year in my IBMS accredited BSc Biomedical degree and had a short term international placement sponsored by my uni and a few months after, I secured a role in the NHS mental health clinic as an admin. Not really sure where to go now as the admin job is something that I sort of enjoy and don’t like at the same time but it’s a job where you can be easily comfortable and I don’t want to be stuck there because I want career growth in the biomed field. I’ve been applying to MLA roles and been rejected. I’m stuck and kinda losing hope.. Even I try so hard with my applications. I really want to complete the IBMS portfolio and be in the micro/histopathology lab - I don’t think it doesn’t really make sense to most people but I do enjoy it especially during my placement in a diagnostic lab. Also currently working as “MLA” in a training centre as someone who works in histopathology lab, supporting in processing tissue, and teaching interns regarding the routine pathway of histopathology, restocking, and microtomy and embedding, but really looking forward to work in a diagnostic lab where I can see myself growing in the career with a supportive team.

But idk, I’m leading to my 1st year in my current nhs job but should I just take MSc and wish it may take me somewhere after? Or take phlebotomy course and maybe I can work near in the field and eventually get an opportunity in the lab?

Also can someone tell me if calling senior BMS or pathology managers do help with applying? I heard some people say they appreciate it more(?). What other sites apart from globe locum and nhs jobs i can apply to?

Any helpful advice would help!