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Infection and Immunity BSc

London, Bloomsbury and London, Hampstead (Royal Free Hospital)
Infection and Immunity BSc (2024)

Gain an insight into how discovery science is carried out at the very highest level on this research-informed BSc. You'll learn about the science of infection and immunity, drawing on the world-class research carried out in the UCL Division of Infection and Immunity.

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 2025
Application deadline
29 Jan 2025
UCAS course code
C550
Apply via UCAS

Entry requirements

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

Contextual offer information

Contextual offers are typically one to two grades lower than the standard offer. Grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.

Points
38
Subjects
A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including 6 in Biology and Chemistry, plus Mathematics preferred with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.

Contextual offer

Contextual offers are typically one to two grade boundaries (equivalent to A levels) lower than the standard offer. IB Diploma grade and subject requirements for contextual offers for this programme will be published in Summer 2024.

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 Chemitsry, plus Mathematics preferred.

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

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, plus Mathematics preferred.

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, plus Mathematics preferred.

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 are looking to build a fulfilling career in the biomedical sciences, our BSc in Infection and Immunity is an ideal springboard.

Infectious agents are fantastic tools for discovery in cell and molecular biology, immunology, human biology, and evolution. Our BSc Infection and Immunity is a great way to develop a broad knowledge of the immune system and infectious agents in health and disease, cell and molecular biology, and the function of the human body.

Year one covers the function of human organs and systems. Year two provides continued training in scientific skills with increasing focus on infection and immunity, and year three covers state-of-the-art infection and immunity. You will become familiar with the language and concepts of the highest-level research and start thinking like an investigator.

Taught over two sites in London, this degree combines innovative blended learning with extensive hands-on teaching, culminating in a research project in the final year. You will emerge with the skills necessary for fulfilling careers in the biomedical sciences.

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.

  • The language and concepts of infection and immunity.
  • Exposure to the latest thinking in this field.
  • Insight into the scientific method, and how to critically assess scientific literature.
  • In-depth understanding of the immune system, immune dysfunction, and the pathogenesis, prevention, and control of infectious disease.
  • A broad biomedical science knowledge.
  • An emphasis on current research, communication, and critical analysis.

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 Infection and Immunity.

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

The first year of the degree covers core Applied Medical Sciences (AMS) modules exploring the function of the human body. You will also take two Infection and Immunity-run modules: 'Meet the labs', discussing current research with divisional researchers, and 'Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology from a Virus's Perspective', covering core key topics in molecular and cell biology.

Year two

The second year will also draw on AMS core content, encompassing molecular basis of disease, techniques, and statistics. You will also take 'Infection' (term one), 'Immunology' (term two) and the 'Infection and Immunity: Journal Club' (terms one and two) that focuses on current research in infection and immunology. Teaching in years one and two will be a mix of blended learning and traditional face-to-face teaching.

Year three

In year three, the focus is on accessing state of the art infection and immunity research. You will develop critical skills, learning to communicate science, improving scientific self-confidence, and learning to think like a scientific investigator. Modules are research based, drawing on current expertise in UCL's Division of Infection and Immunity, and beyond. An original laboratory research project will be available to the best performing students, the remainder will do a literature-based project. Our aim is to deliver, right from the start, core basic science content as far as possible in an infection and immunity research context.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Compulsory modules

Infection and Immunity: Meet the Labs










Compulsory modules








Compulsory modules






Optional modules











Your learning

Teaching is delivered through a mix of blended learning, lectures, laboratory work, journal clubs and tutorials.

Most first-year and some second-year content is delivered through a blended learning system. You learn at your own pace from short online videos followed up by group tutorials to discuss content and explore topics in greater depth.

Year one is mostly taught at UCL's teaching hub at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. Year two teaching is split between the Royal Free and the main UCL campus at Bloomsbury. Year three teaching is entirely Bloomsbury based. Modules at the Royal Free Hospital are shared with other medical sciences programmes.

As a broad estimate, your time will be split as follows over the three years:

  • 25% lectures
  • 5% tutorials
  • 5% practicals
  • 65% independent study or research project.

Assessment

We use a diverse selection of assessments, including:

  • Online and written examinations (including multiple-choice, short-answer, long-answer, data analysis)
  • Poster presentations
  • Coursework essays and commentaries
  • Oral presentations
  • Practical skills assessment
  • Online participation
  • Oral examination
  • Research project dissertation.

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 team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Learn about the UCL BSc Infection and Immunity

Drawing on the world-class research carried out in the UCL Division of Infection & Immunity, this BSc provides students with real insight into the very highest level of discovery science. In this session, Prof Milne will highlight some recent research and outline the structure of the Infection and Immunity BSc programme. Along with a summary of the programme, there will also be a Q&A at the end.

Watch on demand event

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Online - Open day

Undergraduate Virtual Open Days

UCL is London's leading multidisciplinary university, voted University of the Year 2024 by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. With students from over 150 different countries, UCL is a diverse global community of world leading academics and students. Join us at our Virtual Open Days and discover why UCL might be the place for you! Check out our Open Days webpages where you can find out about the programmes on offer, student services and book live Q&A sessions to get your questions answered.

The foundation of your career

By nature, the study of infection and immunity draws on a mix of scientific disciplines, a hallmark of good science. Together, infections, immune responses and immune dysfunction contribute to a vast array of diseases. So, far from being too specialised, a deep understanding of infection and immunity opens the door to many different careers in biomedical sciences.

Employability

As a graduate of this programme, you'll leave us with a robust and transferable mix of skills in critical analysis, data interpretation, communication, and independent thinking.

You'll be well placed to apply to the most competitive postgraduate programmes and well equipped for a career in research, teaching or associated biomedical professions.

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

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

A small number of final-year research projects (such as those involving handling of certain types of primary human material) will only be available to students who have completed a full course of hepatitis B vaccine. Applicants may wish to consider arranging vaccination before arriving at UCL, as it can take up to eight months in total. The current cost of the vaccine is approximately £50 per dose (£150 total), according to NHS.UK.

As the course is taught over two sites in London, you may face travel costs during your time with us. Fares within London can be found on the TfL website.

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 seeking students with a serious interest in high-level discovery research in the field of infection and immunity.

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 receive an offer, you may be invited to an applicant open day. This will include introductory talks about the Division of Infection and Immunity and the BSc programme. You will have a chance to meet divisional staff, ask questions about the programme and take a tour of UCL.

The selection process will be based on the entry requirements being met and references which demonstrate an excellent aptitude in the sciences and an interest in the field of Infection and Immunity.

Apply via UCAS
Application guidelines
Download prospectus

Got questions? Get in touch

Division of Infection and Immunity
Division of Infection and Immunity

ii.infection-immunityadmin@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.