Biomedical Sciences BSc

London, Bloomsbury
Biomedical Sciences BSc (2024)

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.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£37,500
Programme starts
September 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
B990

Entry requirements

Grades
AAA
Subjects
Biology and Chemistry required, plus Mathematics preferred.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.

Contextual offer information

Contextual offers are typically one to two grades lower than the standard offer. Grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.

Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects to include 6 in both Biology and Chemistry, plus Mathematics preferred, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Contextual offers are typically one to two grade boundaries (equivalent to A levels) lower than the standard offer. IB Diploma grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.

UK applicants qualifications

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Equivalent qualification

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Biology and Chemistry required, plus Mathematics preferred.

A,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher ) including AA in Biology and Chemistry required at Advanced Higher. Plus Mathematics at Advanced Higher (or Higher) preferred.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA. Biology and Chemistry required at A level, plus Mathematics preferred.

International applications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

Access and widening participation

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.

Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Course overview

In the first year all modules are mandatory and are designed to give you a firm foundation on the basis of which you can make an informed choice for later years. The modules cover topics in, e.g., anatomy, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, pharmacology and physiology.

If you find that your interest becomes focused on one specific subject area after your first year, then you can apply to transfer to a specialist degree programme.

If you wish to remain with the Biomedical Sciences programme, the second year offers five streams of study.

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. You will also select from an extensive range of options in your chosen stream of study.

What this course will give you

Our core first year ensures all students receive a strong grounding in scientific disciplines as well as the opportunity to explore multiple areas of science. This enables students to make an informed decision as to whether they would like to specialise, and if so, in which area.  

Transfer to one of nine specific degree programmes from the second year, Cell Biology, Genetics, Human Genetics, Immunology and Infection, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology or continue with the customisable Biomedical Sciences programme.

You will learn from experts who are currently conducting world-leading research in these specialist areas, and will also discover how the subjects overlap and interact. This will give your studies both breadth and depth.

Teaching and learning

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences.

Modules

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

All modules in the first year are mandatory and aim to establish a strong foundation. This foundation will empower you to make well-informed choices in subsequent years. The modules encompass various subjects such as anatomy, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, pharmacology, and physiology.

If you find that your interest becomes focused on one specific subject area after your first year, you may transfer to a specialist degree programme.

You can apply to transfer to any of the following specialist degree programmes after year one:

BSc Human Genetics
BSc Immunology and Infection
BSc Molecular Biology
BSc Neuroscience
BSc Pharmacology
BSc Physiology
BSc Physiology and Pharmacology

If you wish to remain with the general Biomedical Sciences programme, the second year offers five routes of study:

  1. BSc Biomedical Sciences: Organs and Systems
  2. BSc Biomedical Sciences: Control Systems
  3. BSc Biomedical Sciences: Developmental Biology
  4. BSc Biomedical Sciences: Drug Mechanisms
  5. BSc Biomedical Sciences: Cells and Molecules

At the end of year 2, students on routes 3 and 5 have the option to transfer to the MSci Cell Biology for years 3 and 4.

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. You will also select from an extensive range of options in your chosen stream of study.

Compulsory module(s)

  • Introduction to Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Chemistry for Biology Students
  • Introduction to Genetics
  • Introduction to Human Anatomy
  • An Introduction to the Mechanisms of Drug Action
  • Mammalian Physiology

Optional modules

Not applicable. All first year modules are compulsory.

Optional modules




Biomedical Sciences programme

The second year offers five streams of study:

Stream 1: Organs and Systems
Stream 2: Control Systems
Stream 3: Developmental Biology
Stream 4: Drug Mechanisms
Stream 5: Cells and Molecules

The list below shows some of the compulsory and optional modules for each stream of the Biomedical Sciences programme.

Stream 1: Organs and Systems

Compulsory

  • ANAT0005 Human Anatomy and Embryology (Thorax, Abdomen and Pelvis) and/or ANAT0006 Human Anatomy and Embryology (Head and Limbs)
  • PHOL0003 Animal and Human Physiology: Integrative Physiology
  • BIOS0006 Essential Protein Structure and Function
  • STAT0021 Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing

Sample optional modules:

  • PHOL0005 Structure and Function of Nervous Systems
  • INIM0007 Infection
  • BIOC0007 Essential Molecular Biology

 

Stream 2: Control Systems

Compulsory

  • PHOL0004 Systems Neuroscience
  • PHOL0005 Structure and Function of Nervous Systems
  • BIOS0006 Writing and Presenting Bioscience
  • STAT0021 Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing

Sample optional modules:

  • BIOC0007 Essential Molecular Biology
  • INIM0005 Immunology
  • ANAT0003 Human Neuroanatomy

 

Stream 3: Developmental Biology

Compulsory

  • CELL0008 Introduction to Cell Biology
  • CELL0023 Intermediate Cell Biology: Cell Biology of Development
  • BIOL0013 The Biology of Development
  • STAT0021 Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing

Sample optional modules:

  • ANAT0002 Developmental Neurobiology
  • CELL0010 Integrative Cell Biology (Cell Signalling and Regulation)
  • BIOL0009 Experimental Genetics and Model Systems

 

Stream 4: Drug Mechanisms

Compulsory

  • PHAR0009 Intermediate Pharmacology or PHAR0007 Introductory Pharmacology
  • PHAR0006 PHAR000 or PHAR0008 Practical Pharmacology
  • BIOC0006 Writing and Presenting Bioscience or BIOC0007 Essential Molecular Biology
  • STAT0021 Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing

Sample optional modules:

  • BIOS0006 Writing and Presenting Bioscience
  • INIM0005 Immunology
  • PHOL0005 Structure and Function of Nervous Systems

 

Stream 5: Cells and Molecules

Compulsory

  • BIOC0005 Molecular Biology or BIOC0007 Essential Molecular Biology
  • CELL0009 Integrative Cell Biology (Cell Structure and Function)
  • CELL0010 Integrative Cell Biology (Cell Signalling and Regulation)
  • STAT0021 Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing

Optional modules:

  • BIOL0009 Experimental Genetics and Model Systems
  • BIOL0010 Introduction to Human Genetics
  • BIOS0030 Introduction to Coding for Bioscience Research (Python)

Pathways options

You can remain on the Biomedical Sciences BSc degree or apply to transfer to a specialist degree programme:
Genetics
Human Genetics
Immunology and Infection
Molecular Biology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Physiology
Physiology and Pharmacology

Compulsory module(s)

Either a Laboratory-based Research Project (45 credits) or a Literature-based Research Project (30 credits).

Optional modules

You will select from a wide range of optional modules in your chosen stream of study and from other approved disciplines within UCL, to the value of either 75 or 90 credits depending on your chosen project.

Your learning

Teaching across the UCL Faculty of Life Sciences involves 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.

Your contact hours and levels of self-directed study will depend on which modules you choose and which year you are in. Modules typically have one or two hour lectures followed by a seminar, workshop or practical session each week, although teaching delivery and contact hours vary. For each module, students typically undertake 4-6 hours of self-directed study each week.

Assessment

Modules 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.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

The foundation of your career

The degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors, including government, public administration, charities and international development, politics, journalism, teaching and research, as well as non-governmental organisations.

Employability

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 will be valuable in many fields.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £9,250
Tuition fees (2024/25) £37,500

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

Students will need to purchase a lab coat. This will cost approximately £10-£20.

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Funding your studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

Scholarships

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

Next steps

Your application

We are looking for independent and confident thinkers who have a genuine interest and curiosity in the subject.

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

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

If we have made you an offer, you will be invited to attend an offer-holder event. This may include talks from staff about the programme and the department. It could also include a research presentation, tours of UCL and the department, and a visit to a laboratory facility.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.