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Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Science and Engineering) BSc

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.

Covid-19 programme updates

For the most up-to-date advice and information concerning UCL's response to the coronavirus outbreak please go to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) information pages. There is a Frequently Asked Questions section for prospective students and schools.

Key Information

Programme starts

September 2021
UCAS code
B190
Duration
Full-time: 3 years
Application deadline
15 January 2021
Location
London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

A Levels

Grades
AAA
Subjects
Biology and Chemistry required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 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.

Contextual offer

Grades
ABB (more about contextual offers)
Subjects
Grades AB in any order in Biology and Chemistry required.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 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 including Biology and Chemistry, with no score below 5. Grade 6 must be offered in one of the required subjects.

Contextual offer

Points
34 (more about contextual offers)
Subjects
A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry, with no score below 5. Grade 6 must be offered in one of the required subjects.

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, 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

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAA, including Biology and Chemistry.

International applications

In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.

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: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc.

English language requirements

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.

The English language level for this programme is: Standard

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

Degree benefits

  • 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.

Degree structure

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).

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.

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.

Compulsory module(s)

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Bioprocess Analysis
  • Chemistry for Biologists
  • Fluid Flow and Mixing in Bioprocesses
  • Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
  • Introductory Statistical Methods and Computing

Optional modules

You will select 15 credits from a range of options.

Compulsory module(s)

  • Cell Production and Growth
  • Bioprocessing Recovery and Purification 
  • Commercialisation of Research Ideas
  • Essential Molecular Biology
  • Manufacturing Regenerative Medicines: from lab bench to industry

Optional modules

You will select 30 credits from a range of options.

Compulsory module(s)

  • Advanced Materials, Devices and Manufacturing Processes for Regenerative Medicine
  • Bioprocess Research Project
  • Business Planning in Bioprocessing and Life Sciences
  • Design and Manufacture of Regenerative Medicine Drug Products
  • Vaccine Bioprocessing

Optional modules

You will select 30 credits from a range of options.


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.

Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Science and Engineering) BSc.

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.

Careers

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.

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).

UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2021/22 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 2021/22 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

UK students
£9,250 (2021/22)
Overseas students
£31,200 (2021/22)

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

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

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.

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.

Departmental scholarships

Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.

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.

Application and next steps

Your application

In addition to academic requirements, we will also use your application to assess your motivation for studying bioprocessing. We will be seeking applicants committed to studying at the highest level, who are eager and able to rise to the challenges presented both by the programme and by a career in the discipline.

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.

Application deadline: 15 January 2021



Selection

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.

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.

For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.


UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.


Page last modified on 28 September 2020


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