The Foundation degree in Biological Science at City College Brighton and Hove is a two year vocational degree. It is taught using lectures and tutorials, but also uses many practical classes and includes a significant amount of work-based learning. It includes modules in microbiology, biochemistry, physiology, and cell biology (to name but a few). The work-based learning includes a career preparation module and a work placement module.

For the work placement module, students spend six weeks (at the end of year two) in a workplace. This provides an opportunity for students to work in the laboratory alongside professional scientists and experience working in science first-hand.

Jacqueline Kerr is a mature student originally from Scotland. When she started the Foundation degree at City College she had ambitions to progress to a career in physiotherapy or pharmacy. Following the work placement in a hospital pathology laboratory her aspirations changed, and she now wants to become a biomedical scientist. She is progressing onto the Applied Biomedical Science degree at the University of Brighton which, with two more years of studying, will lead to both an honours degree and registration as a biomedical scientist.

During her placement at the hospital, Jacqueline has been carrying out full blood counts, co-aggulation and tests for thalassaemia (a genetic blood disease). She gets on well with the staff at the hospital. The placement has helped her become more certain about her career plans. “I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to go into research or if I wanted to work in hospitals. I’ve enjoyed working in the hospital so it’s helped me decide this is what I would like to do.”

Despite the challenges of travelling some distance to the hospital, Jacqueline’s placement has had a very successful outcome, in that it has helped identify a career path. “Next year I want to apply for the co-terminus (the Applied Biomedical science degree) the application was sent off this weekend.” Her placement supervisor said that “She seems keen to learn and to get new skills. I’m very impressed. If she was a (Biomedical Science) Trainee I would be keen to take her on. She seems an ideal candidate for a Trainee post so I’d be keen to employ her.”