Overview
Introduction
Biomedical Science is the field that studies life and applies the latest advancements to human health through disease prevention, detection, and treatment using modern diagnostic and interventional technologies. The achievements of Biomedical Science have a direct and tangible impact on our daily lives. Along with Information Technology, Biomedical Science is recognized by leading global experts as a 21st-century science with a revolutionary role in the future of human life.
With the goal of training a workforce with in-depth knowledge of modern biology and pre-clinical medicine to develop new medical technologies, and to cultivate outstanding scientists in health sciences aiming for new discoveries in disease prevention, protection, and treatment for the community, the Vietnam-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education, under the support of UK universities and the University of Danang, received approval from the Ministry of Education and Training to offer the Bachelor’s program in Biomedical Science since 2016. This is the first internationally-standardized Biomedical Science program established in Vietnam.
The curriculum is developed based on the international training program of Aston University – United Kingdom, with a high level of adaptability to meet societal needs. The Biomedical Science program is credit-based, offering a wide range of knowledge, including both compulsory and elective courses, allowing students flexibility in planning their studies to complete the program.
Program Highlights
High International Connectivity
The teaching staff includes foreign lecturers and lecturers graduated from developed countries.
The program is delivered entirely in English, using advanced teaching methods and curricula from developed education systems, making it easy for students to continue their studies or pursue higher education abroad.
Students gain exposure to international working environments through study tours, student exchange programs, and internships in different countries worldwide at preferential costs.
Development of Soft Skills and Practical Abilities
Students are trained not only in professional knowledge but also in awareness, attitude, behavior, creative and entrepreneurial thinking, and essential transferable skills for today’s era.
Students are encouraged and guided to participate in scientific research activities from the early years, helping them identify and develop their own passions and career directions. Through research activities and diverse, engaging courses, students enhance their creativity and acquire modern knowledge and professional skills.
The program includes many practical internship courses, developed based on the extensive experience of Aston University and lecturers from developed education systems. Students intern at leading institutions and organizations in Vietnam and worldwide, providing a competitive advantage in professional work environments.
Training Objectives
The general objective of the program is to train high-quality human resources to meet domestic and international labor market needs in the field of Biomedical Science. Graduates are equipped with internationally-standard knowledge and skills, capable of professional competence, pursuing higher education, and engaging in lifelong learning.
Specific Objectives
Develop a deep understanding of basic and advanced Biomedical Science knowledge: biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, and other relevant pre-clinical knowledge, along with modern supplementary knowledge such as mathematics in Biomedical Science and bioinformatics.
Build a solid knowledge foundation and versatile working skills, with the ability to apply these skills and knowledge to solve practical problems in Biomedical Science through innovative, flexible approaches suitable for modern contexts.
Apply information technology skills effectively in daily life and work; use English proficiently in communication and professional activities.
Cultivate a sense of responsibility, professional ethics, and awareness of political and social issues, contributing value to the workplace and community, while fostering a positive mindset toward personal development and lifelong learning.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, Biomedical Science students will be able to:
Explain specialized biomedical knowledge by applying fundamental natural science principles.
Solve complex and specific problems in biomedical fields using specialized knowledge.
Properly conduct basic and advanced experimental procedures in biomedical sciences and use specialized software in the field.
Demonstrate proficiency in English at B2 level (CEFR) or equivalent.
Work independently and collaboratively in teams.
Apply critical thinking, creativity, and basic entrepreneurial thinking.
Exhibit social responsibility and professional ethics in the field of biomedical sciences.
Program Structure
Knowledge Blocks by Academic Year
The 2025 intake curriculum for the Biomedical Science program is divided into 8 knowledge blocks, including both compulsory and elective courses. The number of credits for each knowledge block is presented in the table below:
| No. | Knowledge Block | Total Credits | Credits | |
Compulsory Credits | Elective Credits | |||
1 | Foundation | 43 | 38 | 5 |
2 | Specialized Foundation | 41 | 41 | 0 |
3 | Specialized | 33 | 17 | 16 |
4 | Practicum | 2 | 2 | 0 |
5 | Graduation Thesis | 10 | 10 | 0 |
6 | Free Elective | 4 | 0 | 4 |
7 | Military training | Certificate | ||
8 | Physical Education | Completion | ||
Total Credits: | 133 | 108 | 25 | |
Study Roadmap
The Bachelor’s program in Biomedical Science is designed with a standard duration of 4 years. Students may extend their studies up to a maximum of 8 years, or shorten the program to 3 years if they meet the English entry requirements.
According to the designed roadmap, students will study general education courses and foundation courses within the first two years. The specialized courses will be delivered during the last two years.
Detailed Curriculum
The detailed information about the Biomedical Science program is presented below:
Career Prospects
Job Opportunities
Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science can take on the following positions:
Researchers, technicians, consultants, sales representatives, application specialists, or project managers at institutes, research centers, and companies specializing in research and development of biomedical, pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic products;
Medical laboratory technicians, clinical laboratory specialists, genetic testing and forensic technicians at medical institutes, healthcare centers, and both public and private hospitals;
Scientists, researchers, and lecturers at universities, institutes, and research centers focusing on biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences;
Specialists and experts in organizations or enterprises involved in consulting, policy planning, or management in health, public health, education, environment, and sustainable development, both governmental and non-governmental (NGOs);
Specialists and experts in consulting firms, media agencies, or journalism organizations working on projects related to biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences;
Employees in companies related to biomedical engineering, biotechnology, or medical equipment;
Founders and entrepreneurs running production and business models of biomedical, biotechnology-related products;
Professional consultants for biomedical and biotechnology-related startup projects.
Opportunities for Further Study
Graduates of the Biomedical Science program will also have opportunities to:
Pursue professional training or short-term courses such as medical laboratory technician training or reproductive support;
Continue with higher education at postgraduate levels (Master’s, PhD) both domestically and internationally.
Potential Employers and Organizations
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies: Nanogen, VinBioCare, Gene Solutions, Vabiotech, Navetco, …
Medical equipment and diagnostic companies: Roche, Abbott, Bio-Rad, DSKH, Biogroup, Hop Nhat, ITS, …
Hospitals and medical laboratories: Family Hospital, Oncology Hospital, Medlatec, …
Universities, institutes, and research centers: Center for Biotechnology, Standards, Metrology and Quality Technical Center, Pasteur Institute, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Danang, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, …
Development Trends in the Next 5–10 Years
Medical testing & diagnostics: High demand for medical laboratory technicians in hospitals, healthcare centers, and private clinics. Molecular biotechnology techniques (PCR, gene sequencing) are increasingly applied in diagnosis and treatment.
Testing & Quality Assurance (QA/QC): The pharmaceutical, functional food, and medical device industries need more personnel in product testing and quality control. Strict quality assurance is becoming more crucial in Vietnam.
Pharmaceutical and vaccine R&D: Companies such as Nanogen, Vabiotech, and VinBioCare are investing heavily in vaccines and biologics, creating significant opportunities for professionals in molecular biology and bioproduct technologies.
Biomedical technology & medical devices: The development of rapid diagnostic kits and advanced medical testing equipment is expanding. Multinational corporations such as Roche, Abbott, and Bio-Rad are increasing recruitment of specialized experts.
Biomedical business & consulting: Distributors of diagnostics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals are seeking professionals with strong biomedical knowledge combined with communication and product consulting skills.
Business perspective
Sharing from enterprises
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Hoa – Head of Zoonosis Research Group, OUCRU HCMC, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology
“VNUK students have a solid knowledge foundation and great confidence. Their English proficiency is excellent, and they are able to express their own viewpoints at work. I am very satisfied with VNUK students and believe that they are among the best students in Vietnam. If, in the future, one of the VNUK students who interned at OUCRU decides to pursue further in scientific research, I would be very pleased and willing to support their development. Although they still faced some limitations when working on real projects during the internship, this is part of the learning process and reflects the reality of engaging students in real projects.”
For Student Ha Pham Bich Tram (3rd-year Biomedical Science, 2020–2021)
Ms. Chu Thi Minh Phuong – Head of Bioinformatics Training, Bioinformatics Department, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT)
“After one semester working with Bich Tram, I was deeply impressed by her diligence, eagerness to learn, and strong sense of responsibility. Tram is an outstanding student. Beyond being intelligent and quick to grasp knowledge, she is ambitious and open-minded. Therefore, I assigned her to participate in one of our lab’s new research directions, which is also relatively new in the field of Biomedical Science in Vietnam. Tram successfully completed her internship with the report entitled ‘The application of deep learning in lung cancerous lesions detection.’ Through continuous discussion, her report was refined and thoroughly reviewed to ensure it remained concise yet meaningful, and understandable even to readers with limited background in this field. I believe this report will serve as a valuable reference material in the future.”
For Students Nguyen Thi Viet An, Nguyen Thi Hang Nga, and Nguyen Thi Kieu Vy (3rd-year Biomedical Science, 2020–2021)
Dr. Duong Quoc Chinh – Head of Genetics & Molecular Biology Department, NIHBT; Head of Hematology Department, Hanoi Medical University
“I find that VNUK Biomedical Science students not only write reports and conduct research well, but are also polite and eager to learn. We are very satisfied with their performance and highly appreciate their spirit! If they wish to continue learning and gaining more experience, they are welcome to work with us in Hanoi after graduation. I am also sincerely grateful to VNUK for giving me the opportunity to work with these students.”
For Student Nguyen Thi Viet An (3rd-year Biomedical Science, 2020–2021)
Mr. Tran Tuan Anh – Genetics & Molecular Biology Department, NIHBT, National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital)
“I am honored to mentor and support Viet An from VNUK. She is the first VNUK student I have met and an intern who demonstrates intelligence, sharpness, and independence. With each research topic, I only needed to provide a few keywords, and she was able to present the related knowledge quite well. She also showed excellent skills in literature review, report writing, and laboratory work.”
For Student Tran Huu Thien (3rd-year Biomedical Science, 2020–2021)
Dr. Vuong Dieu Linh – Center for Pathology & Molecular Biology, National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital); Lecturer, Faculty of Pathology, Hanoi Medical University
“Huu Thien is a student with a strong ability to adapt and learn quickly in a new environment. He consistently demonstrated eagerness to learn, a progressive mindset, and always completed all assigned tasks on time. Personally, I am very pleased with the results that intern Tran Huu Thien contributed to the hospital.”
For Student Huynh Ngoc Minh Thi (4th-year Biomedical Science, 2020–2021)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Hoa – Head of Zoonosis Research Group, OUCRU HCMC
“Huynh Ngoc Minh Thi is one of the best Bachelor students I have ever supervised. I have witnessed her remarkable development, not only in making independent decisions but also in defending her opinions with minimal support from her supervisor during her thesis research until her graduation. Her independence, self-reliance, and teamwork skills were already evident since her 3rd-year internship, which is clear evidence that her success has been greatly shaped by her learning and experiences at VNUK.”
Danang Oncology Hospital
Dr. Nguyen Dang Quynh Anh – Lecturer, Danang Oncology Hospital
“My impression of VNUK is that it is a European-style university that easily makes a positive impression from the very first visit. Its facilities are well-invested and fully upgraded to meet the teaching needs of lecturers and the learning needs of students. The lecturers and staff at VNUK are very friendly. As a visiting lecturer, I was warmly supported by faculty and staff, which helped me complete my teaching and student assessment tasks effectively. VNUK students are dynamic and well-mannered. Some of them show outstanding abilities in both foreign languages and acquiring new knowledge.
I believe that while Biomedical Science is a rapidly growing discipline worldwide, career opportunities in Vietnam remain limited. However, pursuing undergraduate studies at VNUK provides an excellent foundation for further postgraduate studies abroad. In Vietnam, students can pursue additional training to work in research institutions, molecular biology testing laboratories, or pharmaceutical research centers.”
Sharing from Biomedical Science students





