Information for Prospective Students
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Fees and Funding
UK & EU Fee
£9,000 (2013/14)
Overseas Fee
£19,500 (2013/14)
General Funding Notes
Details about financial support are available at: www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
Admissions Tutor
Dr Pam Houston
Admissions Administrator
Mr Chris Davison
Email: biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 3108 4060
Key Facts
Research Assessment Exercise
Interdisciplinary programme: see contributing departments
(What is the RAE?)
Departmental website
More Information
Biomedical Sciences BSc
UCAS Code: B990
This BSc is designed to introduce students to a variety of scientific disciplines across the biosciences. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme means that the areas covered include anatomy, cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, immunology and infection, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology and psychology.
Entry Requirements
A Levels
| Grades | AAA |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Biology and Chemistry required, plus Mathematics or Physics preferred. Mathematics must be offered at AS level if not offered at A level. |
| AS Levels | Otherwise, a pass in a further subject at AS level or equivalent is required. |
| GCSEs | English Language and Mathematics at grade B. For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs |
IB Diploma
| Points | 38 |
|---|---|
| Subjects | A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects to include Biology and Chemistry, plus Mathematics or Physics preferred, with no score below 5. |
Other Qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Selected entry requirements will appear here
International Qualifications
International Qualifications
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
University Preparatory Certificates
UCL offers intensive one-year foundation courses to prepare international students for a variety of degree programmes at UCL.
The University Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language you will also need to satisfy UCL's English Language Requirements. A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Degree Summary
Degree Benefits
- UCL is a long-standing centre of excellence in biomedical science subjects and is internationally recognised for its strength within the field of biomedical research.
- You will have the opportunity to transfer to one of nine specific degree programmes from the second year, or to continue with the general Biomedical Sciences programme.
- You will be taught by experts in the different subjects, but will also be encouraged to discover how the subjects overlap and interact, allowing your studies to have both breadth and depth.
- Excellent facilities include laboratories, library collections and computer cluster rooms. Get involved with the activities of the student-run Biosciences Society, which organises seminars, careers evenings and other social events.
In the first year all courses are mandatory and are designed to give you a firm foundation on which to make an informed choice for later years. They cover topics in, for example, anatomy, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, pharmacology and physiology.
After completing your first year, if you find that your interest becomes focused on one specific subject area, then you can transfer into a specialist degree programme.
If you wish to remain with the general Biomedical Sciences programme you will have an extensive choice of options covering a wide spectrum of topics in your second and third years.
In your third year, you will undertake a research project under the supervision of a staff member, in conjunction with a research group in one of the faculty's departments or within UCL's biomedical institutes.
Specialist degree programmes:
You can transfer to any of the following degree programmes after year one:
Anatomy and Developmental Biology*
Genetics*
Human Genetics*
Immunology and Infection*
Molecular Biology*
Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Physiology*
Physiology and Pharmacology*
*programmes available for entry only in the second year
Your Learning
Teaching methods across the Faculty of Life Sciences involve a mixture of lectures, practical classes, seminars, tutorials and computer-based exercises. The small-group settings for practical and tutorial work provide opportunities for informal discussion. The first year is predominantly taught through lectures and laboratory classes.
Assessment
Courses will be assessed through a combination of coursework, practical reports, web-based exercises, tests and oral presentations. Written examinations will take place at the end of each academic year. Your success in your first-year examination results will be used to assess your eligibility for entry into the specialist degree programmes.
Degree Structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses, normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Year Two
Final Year
Further details available on degree page of subject website:
Your Career
You will develop the critical and analytical skills necessary to confront complex problems, equipping you for further study, research, or for a wide variety of careers such as those associated with medical research. The training in skills such as logical thinking and decision-making are valuable in many fields.
A degree in Biomedical Sciences opens the door to many career possibilities. Graduates may enter the broad biomedical science field - such as within healthcare or the pharmaceutical industry, or use their skills in careers such as scientific journalism or management. The degree also provides excellent preparation for postgraduate research.
Destinations
First career destinations of recent graduates (2009-2011) of this programme include:
- OSS Tools Engineer, mBlox (2011)
- Clinical Research Technician, Quince Thelma (2011)
- Marketing Executive, Zimmer (2011)
- Full-time student, MBBS at UCL (2010)
- Full-time student, PhD in Developmental Genetics at the Institute of Cancer Research (2009)
Find out more about London graduates' careers by visiting the Careers Group (University of London) website:
Application
Your Application
In addition to checking whether you meet/are expected to meet our academic entry requirements, we will be seeking evidence in your application of your interest in science, for example, through extracurricular activities or reading scientific books and journals. We will also seek to find out what it is about the study of biomedical subjects that excites and motivates you.
How to Apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
If you are resident in the UK and we are considering making you an offer, you will be required to attend an open day or interview. This event will include presentations about the degree programme, our resources and facilities, and about student life at UCL.
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