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Applied Medical Sciences BSc

London, Bloomsbury and London, Hampstead (Royal Free Hospital)

Bridge the gap between science and medicine on this three-year BSc (Hons) programme. Gain an in-depth understanding of how cutting-edge scientific research leads to improvements in clinical practice and patient outcomes. You'll be ideally placed for roles at a high level within the biomedical sciences, medicine, or allied areas.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£9,535
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Programme starts
September 2026
Application deadline
14 Jan 2026
UCAS course code
9N53
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

A levels IB Diploma Other qualifications
Grades
AAA
Subjects
Biology grade A required, plus one from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.

Contextual offer information

Grades
ABB more about contextual offers
Subjects
Biology and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics with Biology at grade B required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including 6 in Biology and either Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, 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

Points
34 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, with no higher level score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

UK applicants qualifications

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

Equivalent qualification

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 33 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we may review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction to include Distinction in Biology plus one from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Biology and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics required.

A,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher), including Biology and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics at Advanced Higher.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

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.
Check your Access UCL Scheme eligibility

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 3

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



If you're looking to develop a strong grasp of medicine and the science that underpins it, this innovative and exciting applied medical science degree is for you.

You'll gain a deep understanding of biomedical sciences and how the body works, including human physiology, medicine, biochemistry, pharmacology, and immunology. You'll learn all about the mechanisms of disease, and be introduced to the principles of clinical science, such as diagnosis and treatment, while also exploring how scientific discovery is applied to human disease or physiology.

This flexible degree has a wide range of optional modules. You can delve into everything from biomedical entrepreneurship to regenerative medicine and nanotechnology. In your final year, you will build on your experience through a research project conducted throughout the year alongside other taught modules.

On this degree, you’ll be taught by world-leading scientists and clinicians alongside dedicated teaching staff. The primary location is UCL's Royal Free Campus in Hampstead (located on the site of the Royal Free Hospital). There will also be some modules and teaching events held at UCL's main campus in Bloomsbury.

You’ll take away a fantastic medical grounding, along with a compelling mix of practical lab, problem-solving and scientific communication skills to help you thrive in a competitive jobs market.

The versatility of this course makes it an effective springboard for wide-ranging careers. You could go into innovation within medical research, pursue a career in medicine, move into the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry, or take your sought-after skills into many other disciplines.

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • A solid foundation in medicine and biomedical sciences through exposure to different disciplines together with laboratory skills. You'll apply this knowledge so you can clearly understand what goes wrong in disease, as well as how we diagnose and treat it.
  • The flexibility to transfer to one of the faculty's 'sister courses' in your first year if you feel one of these is a better fit for you (and there is capacity). This way, you can shape your degree to fit your career aspirations.
  • The skills to work in biomedical research or in sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, clinical trials, hospital management and public health. You can also go onto further study, including master’s degrees, a PhD or Medicine (MBBS).
  • Sessions that are specifically designed to enhance your creativity and inventiveness, build your team-working skills, and enhance your employability.
  • UCL's international reputation for medical research. You'll be taught by world-leading clinicians and scientists practising at the forefront of medicine and research, who are committed to helping you get the most from your experience using the latest technologies.
  • A substantive research project as part of a scientific team, with the chance of appearing as a co-author on their future conference abstracts and/or scientific publications. Experience with world-class researchers helps our students when they apply for research internships and prestigious postgraduate research programmes.
  • Collaborative on-and-offline learning methods and competitive team-based projects.
  • A thriving community of research scientists and clinicians working at the cutting-edge of their fields. Enjoy a diverse programme of talks and workshops by eminent scientists and doctors.

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 Applied Medical 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.

Year 1

Year 1 covers the foundations of human physiology and medicine. The Faculty of Medical Sciences has five other undergraduate 'sister' courses, and you will share your first year with their students as an Integrated Medical Sciences (iMS) cohort. This allows you to interact with students who have different interests and expertise, which can enrich your own learning.

The compulsory first-year modules will give you an understanding of how the body works, what goes wrong in disease and how to treat it. These seven modules cover topics such as 'Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function', 'Gut and Liver', 'Kidneys and Hormones', 'Musculoskeletal Systems and Infection', and 'Immunity and Repair'.

You will also start building your lab skills, setting you up with the techniques and methodologies you’ll need in Year 2 and for your final year research project.

You will be based both at our teaching hub at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, North London, as well as our Bloomsbury campus, and be taught by world-leading scientists and clinicians alongside dedicated teaching staff.

Throughout your first year, you can transition from Applied Medical Sciences to one of the other 'sister courses' in the faculty if you feel one of these more specific courses is a better fit for you and there is capacity. This added flexibility means you can shape your degree to fit with your career aspirations.

Year 2

In Year 2, you will take six compulsory modules covering topics such as 'Molecular Basis of Disease' and 'Techniques in Molecular Medicine'.

You'll have the chance to specialise from Year 2 onwards. You can choose two from ten optional modules, taught by the Division of Medicine as well as other departments, dealing with themes such as 'Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine', 'Introduction to Clinical Trials', 'Biomedical Entrepreneur' and 'Cancer Biology'.

Your choice of optional modules can help you demonstrate experience, knowledge and commitment to a sub-discipline, which will be an asset when applying for jobs or pursuing further study.

Year 3

In Year 3, there are three compulsory modules. One is a research project that spans the year; one is 'Bioinformatics in Applied Biomedical Science'; and the other is in 'Research Methods'.

You will choose four from a range of modules taught by the Division of Medicine or other departments at UCL.

Throughout the programme, specific vocation / career-associated routes have been signposted, to help you choose modules that fit with your career goals.

Currently, these include:

  • Immunology in Health and Disease
  • Microbial Pathogenesis
  • Evolution and Infectious Diseases
  • Immunodeficiency and Therapeutics
  • The Immune System, Cancer, and its Treatment
  • Stem Cell Therapies
  • Neurogenetics to Neurodegeneration
  • Nanotechnology in Medicine
  • The Biomedical Entrepreneur
  • The Human Microbiome in Health and Disease
  • Molecular Diagnostics
  • Biomaterials in Health and Disease
  • Genetic Model Organisms: roles in understanding disease and the search for new therapies
  • Bioscience and Society: Public Engagement, Policy and Funding
  • Precision Cancer Medicine
  • Cancer Clinical Trials - Undergraduate.
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

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Optional modules









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Your learning

You'll be taught in traditional lectures, small-group tutorials, in-person workshops, problem-based learning activity sessions, interactive seminars, intensive laboratory practicals, and through your research project.

On some modules, you'll also study material first online before delving into it deeper in class (which we refer to as 'flipped learning'). We use the latest technologies to make your learning experience as engaging and interesting as possible, such as gamification and state-of-the-art simulators, where you can apply your knowledge to real clinical cases.

As well as the larger lectures, you'll be in the same small groups for teaching and tutorials for Year 1 and Year 2, allowing you to work on creative tasks and build your skills and connections together. You will develop problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and communication skills in this small-group setting.

As a full-time student, you can expect your workload to be roughly equivalent to a full-time job.

You will receive around 10 hours of face-to face teaching a week during term time throughout the programme (excluding reading weeks). This might include lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical and group sessions.

You will spend the remaining time each week studying online material independently ahead of face-to-face sessions, as well as working on assessments. During the research project in the third year, you will be immersed in your research for most of this time.

Assessment

The course is assessed through:

  • Online and written examinations (including multiple-choice or short-answer questions)
  • Coursework
  • Oral presentations
  • Poster presentations
  • Practical skills assessments
  • A research project dissertation (and oral presentation).

Many of our assessments have real-world relevance, helping you improve and practise professional skills such as academic writing, reflective portfolios, scientific and verbal communication, critical thinking, data analysis, practical skills, digital and virtual literacy, and problem solving.

You will be supported in your learning and assessment by our dedicated tutors, with frequent opportunities to practise, prepare, reflect on, and refine your work.

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 Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Applied Medical Sciences BSc - Revenge of the bugs - and the body strikes back!

Bacteria are our ancient enemies, and many assume they have long since been defeated thanks to antibiotics. Unfortunately, that’s just not true. In this taster, you will discover how modern medicine is facing the real possibility of an unexpected slide back into the Dark Ages when simple infections could kill and even straightforward operations were fraught with danger.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Integrated Medical Sciences information video

Watch this video to find out more about Integrated Medical Sciences at UCL, including entry requirements, course structure and other helpful information. Recorded Spring 2024.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Virtual Open Event: Applied Medical Sciences BSc

Join this online event for a summary of the Applied Medical Sciences BSc, followed by a Q&A with the programme lead and a current student. The Applied Medical Sciences BSc bridges the gap between science and medicine, enabling graduates to understand science in the context of mechanisms of disease and treatment. By fusing science with medicine, our graduates will be ideally placed to translate scientific advances into clinical practice, and to work at a high level within the biomedical sciences.

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

The top destinations of applied medical sciences graduates are further study at master's and PhD level, and Medical School. According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey for the 2018-2022 cohorts, around 50% of Applied Medical Science graduates went on to further study. We regularly support successful applications for further study at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, and here at UCL.  

Graduates also go on to diverse and vibrant sectors, ranging from science publishing, teaching, public health and the Civil Service to consultancy, clinical trials, finance and dentistry. The HESA surveys show that graduates have gone on to work for:

  • The NHS, University Hospital Trusts, and medical centres
  • Mental health services and charities such as OCD Action
  • Research organisations such as the Institute of Cancer Research
  • Medical affairs organisations such as OPEN Health
  • Charitable organisations such as Healthwatch
  • Science publishers such as The Lancet and Elsevier.

Employability

BSc (Hons) Applied Medical Sciences differs from most biomedical science degrees in that it gives students a strong understanding of the foundations of medicine, and how science helps us to understand and treat various diseases.

By the end of the course, you'll be in a strong position to work in any of the biomedical sciences as a highly skilled scientist or in diverse healthcare / science-related roles. You can take your skills into any area where a knowledge of science and medicine, or critical thinking, are pivotal. You could go into:

  • Biomedical research
  • Medicine (MBBS)
  • The pharmaceutical industry
  • Public health
  • The biotech industry
  • Biomedical entrepreneurship
  • Finance, consulting and scientific analyst
  • Clinical trials
  • Scientific and governmental bodies (WHO, NGOs)
  • Science communication, publication and teaching.

Many of our graduates are likely to go on to play key roles in areas ranging from cell / molecular biology, pharmacology, and neurobiology to nanotechnology, infectious diseases and regenerative medicine. You could also pursue a career in research and become a highly skilled scientist who can make medicine work for patients.

UCL graduates are highly sought-after by employers and have a significant advantage when applying for positions. We help with this by offering a wide range of employability resources.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £9,535
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500

Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 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

Copies of our core textbooks are in the library, and most are available as e-resources. If you wish to purchase your own copies, we recommend a budget of c. £150 for the textbooks that support the first two years of the programme. We also suggest that students have a standard specification laptop.

On this degree, you will be based at UCL's Bloomsbury campus and the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. These locations are about three miles apart, so you may face some travel costs, depending on your circumstances.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. 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.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

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 seeking students who are motivated, proactive, bright, curious, creative and have a passion for discovery, science and medicine. You must be willing to work hard, both alone and as part of a team, and challenge yourself to become an independent scholar who is fluent in modern biomedicine and ready to make a difference to society in the future.

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.

We will use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and your reference to decide whether to offer you a place. There are no interviews.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Medicine
Division of Medicine

IMS.year1@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.