New Biomedical Sciences Foundation Degree (Fd BMS)

Your Comments

1. Dear Damian,

   Please visit the University of Westminster’s website http://www.wmin.ac.uk/sls/page-1216 which will provide you with more details and the course leader contact.

   Regards,
   Danny

   Posted by: Danny Rozario · Marketing & Communications Manager West London Lifelong Learning Network Aug 10, 12:23 pm

2. The foundation degree in Biomedical sciences for those of us who are in full time employment is a very good program. There are many people who are qualified Biomedical technologists and they would like to top up their qualifications so as to compete for promotions or teach the students who are on attachments in their working institutions.

   I wish to persue the above mentioned program next year how and when do enrolments for distance learning start?

   Regards,

   Damian.

   Posted by: Damian C. Chikuni · Biomedical laboratory Technologist Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia Aug 7, 01:58 pm

3. Dear Syed,
   Thank you for your enquiry. We trust the following information is of assistance:

   • The Foundation Degree in Biomedical Sciences is a part-time, blended learning course for Associate Healthcare Scientists aimed at full-time employment in NHS diagnostic pathology laboratories.
   • It is a new programme developed by the University of Westminster. Normal UK fees apply but can be confirmed by contacting the university directly: http://www.wmin.ac.uk/biosciences/page-1072
   • The course is designed to offer a flexible approach to study and university attendance so as to meet the needs of both vocational learners (Associate Healthcare Practitioners) and stakeholders (Laboratory Managers and Training Officers). It therefore encompasses a central core of e-learning, supplemented by work-based learning and block attendance at university.
   • A Foundation Degree covers level 4 and level 5 of an undergraduate programme.
   • Foundation Degrees are primarily developed to accommodate people who wish to remain in work, whilst completing their formal qualifications.
   • Foundation Degrees are usually sound robust programmes, developed with the assistance of academic partners, professional bodies, industrial specialists, employer groups and the Sector Skills Councils.
   • Foundation Degrees usually have a large element of distance learning and work based learning to accommodate those at work.
   • The short title for Foundation Degree is FdA for arts programmes; FdEng for engineering; or FdSc for Science related courses; FdSc (BMS) for this particular course.
   • After achieving the Foundation Degree up to level 5, there is always a progression route to proceed to level 6.
   • The progression to Level 6 is generally a bachelor programme. In effect, you would be entering the third or final year of the bachelor programme. The short title for these programmes in the UK is BA, BEng or BSc.
   • Some Foundation Degrees enable direct progression to level 6 undergraduate honours programmes, BA(Hons), BSc, BSc(Hons), BEng(Hons) but this is variable throughout the UK.
   • Not all universities allow progression to Level 6 from a Foundation Degree. This is why each Foundation Degree has special arrangements for progression. This will be with specific universities that have either helped develop the Foundation Degree, are familiar with the content, or provide ‘bridging’ studies to enable you to go on to Level 6.
   • After completing Level 6 you will have gained a full bachelor degree (honours or non-honours depending on the institution you attend).
   • Most Biomedical Engineering degrees in the UK are bachelor programmes or Masters for advanced learners (ie not run as Foundation Degrees).
   • For information on Biomedical Engineering programmes and student reviews, the following link may assist you:

   http://www.whatuni.com/degrees/courses/degree-courses/biomedical-engineering-degree-courses-united-kingdom/biomedical+engineering/m/united+kingdom/0/25/0/a1/0/r/0/1/0/page.html

   Thank you for your enquiry.
   Kerry Schutz
   Sector Manager for Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
   West London Lifelong Learning Network
   3 July 2009

   Posted by: Kerry Schutz · Sector Manager West London Lifelong Learning Network Jul 3, 04:22 pm

4. Dear Sir,
   I’m fulltime working in the field of Biomedical engineering as technician for more than 10-years. I would like to peruse distance/online Degree course in Biomedical Engineering. Thus, I would like to have more details about the reputation of foundation Degree course that you are offering, is it like an associate degree? And what is the duration & syllabus. And how can I peruse while working fulltime in UAE and what is the complete fee.
   Thanks & regards,
   Syed,
   UAE

   Posted by: SYED · SENIOR BIOMEDICAL TECHNICIAN XYZ Jun 30, 07:29 pm