Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Science and Engineering) BSc
London, Bloomsbury
There is a growing need for graduates with a grounding in biological sciences who are able to understand the translational new technologies required for new medicine commercialisation. This BSc focuses on the early stage development of new medicines, such as stem cell, new vaccines and potential new therapies related to healthcare.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2023Application deadline
25 Jan 2023UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- Biology and Chemistry required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BBB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Biology and Chemistry required
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- Points
- 38
- Subjects
- A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5. Grade 6 must be offered in one of the required subjects.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 32 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry, with no score below 5.
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.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA, including Biology and Chemistry.
A,A,A at Advanced Highers (A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher), including Biology and Chemistry at Advanced Higher
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Biology and Chemistry.
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
UCL Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are intensive one-year foundation courses for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
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 1
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If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. 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, you will study the fundamentals of biochemistry and cell biology, which are required to understand the technologies used in early stages of new medicine development. Case studies will look at the challenges of creating new medicines, disease states and the ethical considerations of working in the biopharmaceutical industry.
The second year examines the intricate signalling structures within the human body, and looks at the immune memory that new vaccines seek to stimulate. In addition, you will be required to consider the commercialisation of new medicines and will develop your knowledge of intellectual property and how to manage it in a global market.
The research project is a core component of the third year, along with modules in business planning and the bioprocessing of new medicines. At least one optional module is offered every year of your programme, enabling you to tailor your degree towards the business side of the new medicines industry or the biomolecular side.
What this course will give you
This flexible programme enables you to choose different options from an approved list, thereby tailoring your degree towards the engineering, biological or business aspects of new medicine development.
The department has amongst the most modern and comprehensive biochemical engineering facilities of any university in the world. Valued at over £35 million, it attracts leading industrial collaborators. Practical activities and research projects will quip you with skills sought after by industry.
Our teaching is designed to help you work at a detailed analytical level, and also to see the bigger picture in terms of addressing environmental and ethical issues.
We have been pioneers in providing our undergraduates with training to help them understand the business environment in which life science industries operate. Our innovative teaching prepares you better for a career in the biotechnology sector.
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 Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Science and Engineering).
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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The degree itself attempts to form a balance between core bioprocess engineering courses and life science modules.
In the first year, you will study the fundamentals of biochemistry and cell biology required to understand the technologies used in the early stages of new medicine development. Case studies will look at the challenges of creating new medicines, disease states and the ethical considerations of working in the biopharmaceutical industry.
The second year examines the intricate signalling structures within the human body and the immune memory that new vaccines and new therapies seek to stimulate. In addition, you will required to consider the commercialisation of new medicines and will develop knowledge of intellectual property and how to manage it in a global market.The research project is a core component of the third year, along with courses in business planning and the bioprocessing of new medicines.
Compulsory modules
Your learning
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, case studies, team-based projects and experiments. Leading industrialists and researchers regularly visit the department to provide guest lectures. Case studies are conducted in small teams, and your personal and departmental tutors are available to offer individual support.
Assessment
Diverse forms of assessments linked to learning outcomes are designed to test a broad range of skills. Modules at the start of the degree are assessed via 2-3 pieces of coursework and an unseen examination at the end of the year. Problem-based activities may be assessed by individual or group reports, oral or poster presentations.
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 excitement of advances towards new medicines and greener sustainable processes is creating an ever-growing need for biochemical engineering graduates in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biofuels, chemical, environment and food industries.
You may be based in a university, or you may work in company research and development activity involved with the design of facilities and creating safe materials. The programme teaches skills in systematic thinking and precise calculation, which leads some graduates to enter the financial sector (particularly those companies that invest in healthcare).
Employability
The core science, engineering, business and leadership skills that you acquire on the programme will provide you with excellent and diverse career prospects. In addition to your core subject knowledge, the programme will provide you with skills such as innovative thinking, team-working and computing.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £35,000 |
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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.
Additional costs
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
The department has established a trust fund that supports five bursaries per year, each worth at least £1500. These are open to all applicants accepted onto undergraduate programmes.
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
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 you live outside the UK, or travel distance is a problem, we will arrange for a telephone or online (VoIP) chat to assist with any questions you may have.
We are happy to consider your application if you wish to defer entry and take a gap year before taking up your place on the programme, especially if you have constructive plans for your time.
If we have made you an offer, you will be invited to an offer-holder's open day. This provides an excellent opportunity for you to visit the departmental facilities and meet current students and staff before making a final decision.
