Infection and Immunity BSc
London, Bloomsbury
Infection and Immunity BSc (2024)
This research-informed BSc programme delivers core biomedical science content as far as possible in an infection and immunity research context. Drawing on the world-class research carried out in the UCL Division of Infection & Immunity, it provides students with real insight into how discovery science is carried out at the very highest level.
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
- AAB
- Subjects
- Biology and Chemistry required plus Mathematics preferred.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- BCC more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Biology and Chemistry required with either at grade B, with Mathematics preferred
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5.
- Points
- 36
- Subjects
- A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects including 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
- Points
- 30 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 15 points in three higher level subjects including 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.
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 and Chemistry, plus Mathematics preferred.
Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 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 AAB. Chemistry and Biology required, plus Mathematics preferred.
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher), including Chemistry and Biology at Advanced Higher, plus Mathematics preferred.
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Chemistry and Biology required, plus Mathematics preferred.
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 2
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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
Year one mainly covers the function of human organs and systems. Tutorials and two programme-specific modules, 'Infection and Immunity: Meet the Labs', and 'Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology from a Virus's Perspective', provide an infection and immunity context.
Year two provides continued training in scientific skills with increasing focus on infection and immunity, particularly on reading and understanding current literature. One optional module is chosen from a selection covering topics in cell and molecular biology.
Year three covers the state of the art in infection and immunity. You will gain critical skills, practise communicating science, improve your scientific self-confidence, and start thinking like an investigator.
Modules draw on our current research. Tutorials provide the opportunity to discuss recent papers. The best performing students carry out a laboratory research project. The remainder undertake a literature-based project.
What this course will give you
You will learn the language and concepts of infection and immunity, be exposed to the latest thinking, gain insight into the scientific method, and learn to critically assess scientific literature.
You will acquire an in-depth understanding of the immune system, immune dysfunction, and the pathogenesis, prevention and control of infectious disease.
Infectious agents are fantastic tools for discovery in cell and molecular biology, immunology, human biology and evolution, making this BSc a great way to acquire a broad biomedical science knowledge.
Throughout the programme emphasis will be placed 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 are 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 first year of the degree will use primarily core Applied Medical Sciences (AMS) modules covering the function of the human body. Students will also take two Infection & Immunity run modules: one formative running throughout the year (Meet the labs) discussing current research with divisional researchers and one in term two (Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology) covering core key topics in molecular and cell biology.
The second year will also draw on AMS core content, encompassing molecular basis of disease, techniques and statistics. You will also take Infection (Term 1), Immunology (Term 2) and the Infection & Immunity: Journal Club (terms 1 and 2) that focuses on current literature in infection and immunology. Teaching in years 1 and 2 will be a mix of blended learning and traditional face-to-face teaching. All Infection & Immunity content will be delivered face-to-face to ensure that the cohort is properly and genuinely integrated with the Division.
In Year 3 the focus is on accessing the state of the art in infection and immunity research, developing critical skills, learning to communicate science, improving scientific self-confidence, learning to think like a scientific investigator.
Modules are research based, drawing on current expertise in the Division of Infection and Immunity and beyond. Small group tutorials provide opportunity to discuss recent papers.
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.
Compulsory modules
Your learning
Teaching is delivered through a mix of blended learning, lectures, laboratory work, journal clubs and tutorials.
A broad estimate over the three years: 25% lectures; 5% tutorials; 5% practicals; 65% independent study or research project.
Assessment
We use a diverse selection of methods for formative and summative assessment. These include online and written examinations (question formats include 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 & Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
Employability
Graduates of this programme will have acquired a robust and transferable skill set: critical analysis, data interpretation, communication skills and independent thinking. They will 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
| 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: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/funding-your-studies.
Additional costs
None, but see below for guidance on hepatitis B vaccine.
Students are not required to have hepatitis B vaccine to join the programme. However, a small number of final year research projects (for example, those involving handling of certain types of primary human material) will not be available to students who have not received the vaccine. Applicants may therefore wish to consider arranging to receive a course of the vaccine in advance of their arrival at UCL. Note that the full course of vaccine and follow-up blood test can take up to eight months.
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
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 & 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 in addition to a personal statement and references which demonstrate an excellent aptitude in the sciences and an interest in the field of Infection and Immunity.
Got questions? Get in touch
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