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Cancer Biomedicine BSc

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

Study a degree that sets you up to play your part in tackling cancer. You'll be taught by world renowned researchers at UCL working at the forefront of cancer research. Your skills and knowledge of this fast-evolving field will be widely relevant to careers in biomedical research, medicine, health science, allied health professions and the pharmaceutical industry.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£9,250
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
Programme starts
September 2024
Application deadline
31 Jan 2024
UCAS course code
B800

Entry requirements

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

Contextual offer information

Grades
BBC more about contextual offers
Subjects
Biology and Chemistry required 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 Chemistry, with no higher level score below 5.

Contextual offer

Points
30 more about contextual offers
Subjects
A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry, with no higher level 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

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 and Chemistry.

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

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

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.

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


One in two people in the UK will develop cancer in their lifetime. By 2030, four million people will be living with a cancer diagnosis. Graduates who specialise in cancer will be vital to our ability to diagnose, understand and treat this disease now and in the future.

By studying with us on this exciting Cancer Biomedicine degree, you will learn about molecular biology and cancer genetics, cancer biology and therapeutics, clinical cancer management, and the wider impact of a cancer diagnosis on society.

You will also explore how new cancer treatment strategies are designed and tested in clinical trials and how we can personalise cancer treatment for our patients.

We offer a variety of optional modules, so you can create a custom route within biomedical sciences based on your interests and career options. A research project in the final year will help you develop a broad range of scientific and laboratory skills.

You will emerge as a highly skilled scientist, ideally positioned to excel in laboratory or clinical research careers or other roles that require a high understanding of science and clinical medicine.

What this course will give you

  • A focus on cancer as a disease, its treatment, and the associated research and socio-economic impacts.
  • A research-connected curriculum with teaching delivered by leading cancer scientists and clinicians.
  • The opportunity to undertake a unique research project working alongside world-class cancer researchers.
  • A unique skill set, through studying a mix of basic science, clinical disease management and translational medicine.
  • A wide choice of optional modules for you to select from, which will vary year to year. Current examples include 'Nutrition and Cancer Risk', 'Paediatric and Young Adult Cancer', 'Radiation Biology' and 'Cancer and Pathogens'.

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 Cancer Biomedicine.

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 one

In year one, you'll be studying alongside all the other courses in our Faculty of Medical Sciences, covering the foundations of human health and disease. You'll study modules in biochemistry, physiology, and anatomy, which is integrated with an understanding of each organ system. You'll also start developing your essential scientific skills.

You'll be introduced to cancer with our 'Cancer Medicine in Society' module, which explores the social and psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis.

You will be mostly based at UCL's Royal Free campus in Hampstead, North London, and taught by world-leading scientists and clinicians.

Year two

Year two comprises five compulsory modules covering molecular biology, cancer biology and therapeutics, clinical cancer management and clinical trials. Three further modules are optional with a wide range of subjects to choose from, including two new modules focused on radiation biology and cancer and pathogens.

Year three

Year three comprises four compulsory and three optional modules, with the compulsory modules examining how new cancer treatment strategies are designed and tested, and how we can use our knowledge of cancer to personalise treatment.

You will also undertake a research project. The wide range of optional modules means you can tailor-make your preferred route within biomedical sciences, based on your interests and intended career.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules










Compulsory modules







Optional modules















Compulsory modules






Optional modules

Stem Cell Therapies




Nanotechnology in Medicine




Your learning

Teaching is delivered through formal lectures, small tutorials, group and independent work. Year two includes laboratory practicals. In year three, you will undertake a research project and produce a dissertation.

Lectures are both face-to-face and online, which gives you the opportunity to review topics at your own pace. There are also more intensive, creative sessions of tutorial-based problem-solving and learning which take place in small groups.

Our modules typically include 30-40 contact hours, split between lectures and small group teaching or tutorials. You also need time for preparatory reading and self-directed learning for each module.

Assessment

Assessments include:

  • Exams (some of which are in multiple-choice or short-answer questions) 
  • Coursework
  • Essays
  • Poster presentations
  • Critiquing scientific research
  • Practical skills assessment (OSPE) 
  • Online participation
  • A written project dissertation as part of the research project in Year 3, along with an oral presentation of the 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

Cancer Biomedicine BSc - making discoveries and saving lives

At the internationally renowned UCL Cancer Institute, we strive to educate and train the next generation of cancer researchers. Our Cancer Biomedicine BSc is a dynamic and stimulating degree which will equip graduates with the skills to drive innovation and research across biomedical sciences in the future. This taster talk will be followed by a Q&A session with our programme lead and a current student.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Integrated Medical Sciences Information Session

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

Watch on demand event

The foundation of your career

Cancer Biomedicine graduates go on to work at the highest levels, with the potential to make a significant contribution within all fields of biomedical sciences, research, and associated professions. Many of our cancer biomedicine graduates go onto master's and PhD level studies and graduate entry medicine.

Employability

You'll develop the critical thinking, complex problem-solving and communication skills needed to become a highly skilled scientist. These competencies and acquired knowledge will equip you to excel in laboratory or clinical research careers, or to flourish in other professions where a keen understanding of science and clinical medicine is crucial.

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) £34,400

UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee increases and subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Fees may increase year on year – see [INSERT HYPERLINK TO 25/26 T&CS] for more information.

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

You will be expected to cover the cost of printing and binding your final-year project dissertation.

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.

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 looking for evidence of a firm interest in science as well as a motivation towards further knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We expect our students to have a real curiosity and desire to contribute to society. We also expect them to be keen for the challenge of this innovative and research-connected programme.

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 predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and references to decide whether to offer you a place. There will be no interviews.

Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Cancer Institute
Cancer Institute

ci.ugeducation@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.