Applied Medical Sciences BSc
London, Hampstead (Royal Free Hospital)
Applied Medical Sciences BSc (2023)
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.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2024Application deadline
31 Jan 2024UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- Biology at grade A and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBC more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Biology and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics with Biology at grade B.
- 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
- 30 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 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
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.
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.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA. Biology required, plus one from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.
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.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Biology and either Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics required.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
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.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
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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 10-week research project and can choose to organise a one-month professional placement.
This degree is based in the heart of London, where you'll be taught by world-leading scientists and clinicians alongside dedicated teaching staff. You'll also spend a significant amount of time at the prestigious Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, which is world renowned for its research and clinical results.
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
- 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 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.
- An optional month-long work placement with an employer to develop your professional skills, explore a potential future career area and enhance your employability.
- 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.
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Year one
Year one 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 & Respiratory Function', 'Gut and Liver', 'Kidneys and Hormones', 'Musculoskeletal Systems and Infection', and 'Immunity & Repair'.
You will also start building your lab skills, setting you up with the techniques and methodologies you’ll need in year two and for your final year research project.
You will be based both at UCL's Royal Free campus 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 seamlessly transition from AMS 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. This added flexibility means you can shape your degree to fit with your career aspirations.
Year two
In year two, 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 two 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 & 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 three
In year three, there are three compulsory modules. One is a ten-week research project, 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
- Genetic Model Organisms: roles in understanding disease and the search for new therapies
- Bioscience and Society: Public Engagement, Policy and Funding
An optional one-month placement with an employer in year three also gives you valuable experience in a work setting.
Compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Your learning
You'll be taught in traditional lectures, small-group tutorials, in-person workshops, problem-based learning activities, workshops, 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 years one and two, 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.
In year three, you can choose to arrange a short four-week placement to enhance your professional skills and employability. Typical destinations might include a biotech start-up company, a pharma consultancy, an academic lab outside UCL, or volunteering with a charity or NHS department.
You'll need to find your own placement, but the department will provide support and advice with this.
In year one, you will spend around 8-10 hours of face-to face teaching a week over a 22-week period (excluding reading weeks). You will also spend some time in self-study with online material before consolidating this knowledge in face-to-face sessions.
In year two, you will spend around 18 hours in face-to-face teaching a week.
In year three, you will have about 10 hours of formal face-to-face teaching, but during the ten-week research project, you will be immersed in your research for most of this time. Likewise, if you take the optional work placement module, you will be immersed in that during that month.
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)
- A reflective diary on your placement (if you choose the professional experience module).
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 & Wellbeing team.
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 (such as Oxford, Cambridge, or Imperial College). 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.
As a graduate of this course, you'll be a highly skilled scientist whose skills are relevant for any area where a knowledge of science and medicine, or critical thinking, are pivotal. Key areas include nanotechnology, machine learning, drug design and regenerative medicine.
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 go into any of the biomedical sciences, to pursue a wide range of careers. You could go into:
- Biomedical research
- Medicine (MBBS)
- The pharmaceutical industry
- Public health
- The biotech industry
- Biomedical entrepreneur
- 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 including helping you to create an online portfolio you can take with you when you graduate.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £32,100 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 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 2023/24 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
There are no specific course materials except some core textbooks that we recommend. (These can be accessed from the library if needed.) We also suggest that students have a laptop. For students who take the professional experience module, additional costs may include travel and accommodation depending on location.
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 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.
