All of the modules on this course are compulsory and worth either 15 or 30 credits. Successful completion of all of the modules in the first year is worth 120 credits at Level 4 and equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education. Successful completion of the second year is also worth 120 credits and will lead to the award of the Level 5 Foundation degree.

Full-time year 1:

• Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits) 
• Core Chemistry (15 credits) 
• Environmental Sciences (15 credits) 
• Laboratory Skills and Data Analysis for Biosciences  (30 credits) 
• Microbiology (15 credits)
• Practical Cell Biology and Biochemistry (30 credits) 

Full-time year 2:

• Ecology and Ecosystems (30 credits) 
• Human Health and Diseases (15 credits) 
• Practical Cell Biology and Biotechnology (30 credits)
• Research Skills and Laboratory Project (30 credits)
• Work-based Learning (15 credits)

This course is taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, skills practice, presentations, practicals, lab work, case studies and group workshops. UCW’s Higher Education Library Plus (HE.LP) team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lecturers and seminars, students are expected to continue learning through independent self-study. This involves reading relevant literature, working on individual and group projects, and undertaking research in preparation for coursework and exams.

This course has an average of 13 hours of scheduled teaching per week.

Assessment is via a combination of written exams, practical exams and coursework, with an assessment breakdown of 10% written exams, 30% practical exams and 60% coursework.

• Graduates are eligible to apply for related Honours Top-up degrees or to apply to join the Level 6 stage of associated Honours degrees including the BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences at UWE Bristol.
• Graduates are also qualified to progress on a research career pathway or gain employment in roles such as laboratory technician, laboratory analyst, laboratory supervisor or laboratory manager.

Industry insight

A scientific laboratory technician typically earns a starting salary of £15,000 to £19,000 which can rise to £25,000 with experience (Prospects data).

A minimum of CC at A Level, or a BTEC Extended Diploma at MPP, or an Access to Higher Education Diploma with 15 Level 3 credits at Merit, or equivalent, preferably including a science subject, in addition to English and Maths at 4/C or above. Applicants are also required to attend an interview.

• Course Handbook
• Programme Specification
• UCW Terms and Conditions