Clinical Biochemistry

Standalone module

Ready to deepen your expertise in clinical biochemistry, mastering essential techniques and current lab practices to advance your career as a registered biomedical scientist?

Location: Online via distance learning (plus some face-to-face sessions at Aston University, Birmingham)

Course type
Professional short courses/CPD
Entry requirements
Duration

One year

Start date

Module overview

Studied via blended learning (online and in-person sessions), this standalone module offers a comprehensive overview of clinical biochemistry, covering key concepts, techniques and current lab practices. Ideal for topping up your degree to become a registered biomedical scientist or for advancing your professional development, it deepens your understanding of how biomedical science contributes to diagnosing and treating disease.

The indicative content of the module includes methods for collecting clinical samples for biochemical analysis, principles and applications of biochemical investigations in disease management, therapeutic drug monitoring, and substance abuse investigation.

This is a level 5 module (equivalent level of study to a foundation degree or Diploma of Higher Education) worth 10 credits.

Why Clinical Biochemistry at Aston University?

Development
Top-up your degree
Top-up your existing degree to become a registered biomedical scientist
Institute of Biomedical Science logo
Professionally accredited
This module is associated with an IBMS-accredited programme
Student satisfaction
Research active staff
Learn from passionate research-active academics in specialist areas of clinical biochemistry

Objectives and outcomes

  1. Enables you to understand the application, value and limitations of biochemical tests in clinical medicine.
  2. Enables you to understand how biochemical tests are selected and how they are interpreted.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

  • Discuss and appraise the principles and organisational structure underlying the application of biochemical investigations to the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease.
  • Discuss and evaluate the equipment, and the routine processes and methodologies used in clinical biochemistry.
  • Critically appraise the application of biochemical tests to the investigation of the function and dysfunction of organs and systems.
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Speak to our Admissions Team

If you have any questions about the application process please get in touch with our postgraduate admissions team:

Email: professionalcpd@aston.ac.uk

Call: 0121 204 3200 (Please note this line is open Monday-Friday between 09.30am-4.30pm)

Entry requirements

  • You must have a non-accredited undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences or an undergraduate degree in a related field (such as biology or biochemistry).

  • Taking this module in order to 'top-up' your existing degree for IBMS registration: 
    Prior to registering for a top-up module (or modules) you need to contact the Institute of Biomedical Science. They will assess your degree in order to confirm that it is eligible for 'top-up' and to determine the additional subject areas in which you need further qualifications.
    We recommend you contact the IBMS by June in the year of application to ensure that you have confirmation of your module requirements in time to register for your module(s) with Aston University.
     
  • Degrees not eligible for top-up:
    If your degree is not eligible for top up but you still wish to become a registered Biomedical Scientist, we recommend that you apply to take our accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science undergraduate degree.
  • Undertaking this module for professional development:
    No additional requirements apply.
  • We welcome applications from international students who are already in the UK with a valid visa. Unfortunately we are not able to accept applications from international students who wish to come to the UK solely to take this course. We are also not able to accept international students to take the distance learning route. You will be asked to provide a scanned copy of your UK visa, and of your passport when you submit the online registration form so that we can check you are eligible to take the top up modules. Students taking this course by distance learning must be based in the UK.

Fees

UK students (2025/26)
£850

More information on fees

The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as UK students.

Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.

Delivery and assessment

  • This course is delivered via blended learning. You must attend an online induction session in week zero (mid-September), at which we will show you how to access your university record and Blackboard (your Virtual Learning Environment).
  • All course material, including recorded lectures, self-assessment quizzes, timetables and some directed reading will be available on Blackboard online; coursework submission and feedback are also mainly via this route. Blackboard allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and much more.
  • Blended learning: the study can be spread out over the term and a week-by-week study guide is available. Recorded lectures are made available after they are delivered to attendance students as detailed above.
  • Practical experience: a single three-hour on-campus practical is associated with this module; attendance is compulsory unless you can provide evidence of equivalent learning in the workplace.
  • Assessment
    The assessment for this standalone module comprises an on-campus essay-based class test, where you will choose one question from an option of two. There is no word limit for this assessment.
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Career prospects

  • Our CPD courses offer you the opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in order to develop your career. In addition, our ethos is to equip you to make a real difference in your field.
  • These modules will allow you to obtain the academic competences that are required to apply to the Health Professions Council for Registration as a Biomedical Scientist.
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