Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury and London, Hampstead (Royal Free Hospital)

Infection and Immunity BSc

Immerse yourself in the science of infection and immunology in this research-informed degree. You’ll investigate how diseases impact the body, how the immune system responds, and how pioneering research is shaping new treatments and improving patient care. This degree provides a foundation for a career in biomedical sciences and beyond.

Key information

Full-time

3 academic years full time

UK: £9,790 per year
International: £39,200 per year

13 January 2027. Applications close at 6pm UK time.
Applications may stay open after this UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, please check UCAS for details.

Entry requirements

Grades: AAA
Subjects: Biology and Chemistry required. Mathematics preferred.
GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6

Contextual offer

Grades: ABB
Subjects: Biology and Chemistry required with either at grade A.
GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6

At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.

Select a UK qualification

Select your country

JavaScript is required to view international equivalencies. Visit UCL International for more information.

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 and International Education.

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who do not 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.

About this course

Infectious agents are fantastic tools for discovery in cell and molecular biology, immunology, human biology, and evolution. Our Infection and Immunity BSc 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 1 covers the function of human organs and systems. Year 2 provides continued training in scientific skills with increasing focus on infection and immunity, and Year 3 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.

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.

This course is designed for students who are curious about how the immune system works and motivated to understand how infections shape human health. You’ll explore big scientific questions, develop your analytical skills and start thinking like a researcher. Our students join us from diverse educational and social backgrounds, united by their passion for infection and immunology research and medical science.

What our students say

The course has never failed to ignite my curiosity, especially through its combination of engaging, content-rich lectures and exposure to exciting ongoing research.

Giselle

Infection and Immunity BSc

Course structure

Year 1

You study the compulsory foundations of human health and disease alongside students across the Faculty of Medical Sciences. You also take an Infection and Immunity module called Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology from a Virus’s Perspective and will have the opportunity to discuss current research with divisional researchers.

Year 2

You take six compulsory modules covering topics such as the Molecular Basis of Disease and Techniques in Molecular Medicine. You also study Infection, Immunology and the Infection and Immunity Journal Club. Teaching in Terms 1 and 2 combines blended learning with face-to-face teaching.

Year 3

You focus on research-led learning in infection and immunity, developing skills in scientific communication and investigation. High performing students will undertake a original laboratory research project, 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.

Modules

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).

Please note that the list of compulsory modules given here is indicative. Up to 10 optional modules per year are displayed for this course: this may not be the full range of optional modules available for selection. 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. For more detail regarding module availability, please contact the department.

Compulsory modules

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

Most Year 1 and some year 2 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 1 is mostly taught at UCL’s teaching hub at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead. Year 2 teaching is split between the Royal Free and the main UCL campus at Bloomsbury. Year 3 teaching is entirely Bloomsbury based. Modules at the Royal Free Hospital are shared with other medical sciences degrees.

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.

As a full-time student, you can expect your workload to be roughly equivalent to a full-time job.

You will receive around 10–12 hours of face-to-face teaching a week during term time excluding reading weeks. This is mostly made up of lectures, with some tutorials and practical sessions.

Outside of taught hours, you will also need to spend time studying independently. This will include preparatory reading, self-directed learning, working on assignments and group work. In total, your weekly schedule should total 37 learning hours.

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fee comparison by study mode and student status.
Study mode	UK fee (2026/27)	Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time	£9,790	£39,200

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

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

Hepatitis B vaccine: vaccination is not required to join the degree, however some 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. UCL does not provide this vaccine, so applicants may wish to consider arranging vaccination before arriving at UCL, as it can take up to eight months in total. Vaccination costs approximately £50 per dose (£150 total).

For in-person teaching, UCL's main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1–2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2026. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. 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).

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.

Why study this course at UCL?

Build a strong foundation in infection and immunity. Master the concepts of this science field while engaging in the latest research.
Sharpen your skillset. Broaden your biomedical science knowledge and hone your skills in scientific method, critical analysis and communication.
Learn in cutting-edge facilities. Access state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with the latest technologies, right in central London.
Taught by leading researchers. Learn from world-class scientists and clinicians, with groundbreaking research embedded throughout your learning. UCL is ranked 8th in the world for Medicine (QS World Rankings by Subject 2025).
Flexibility in your studies. You can choose to transfer to another medical sciences degree during your first year (subject to capacity) if your interests evolve.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

You will gain a robust and transferable skill set in critical analysis, data interpretation, communication and independent thinking. These competencies will make you highly sought after across a wide range of careers – not only within health, biotech and science, but also in fields such as finance, marketing and business. You will also be well placed to apply for further study or pursue a career within research too.

According to the Graduate Outcomes Survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of graduates in the 2018-2023 cohorts, our graduates have gone on to careers in:

Healthcare (NHS Trusts)
Pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Johnson)
Research (Imperial, King’s College London)
Government (Civil Service)
Finance (Legal & General, AIG)
Clinical Studies (Astrum)
Biotechnology (Quell Therapeutics)
Laboratory manufacturing (Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Medical Communications (Open Health)

Scientific research, development and analysis
Banking and investment
Policy and government
IT, technology and telecommunications
PR, advertising and marketing
Academic research and HE
Consultancy
Other professional, scientific and technical activities
Health and social care

Open days

Find out more about our in-person Open Days, online events and courses and subjects that interest you.

Register your interest

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.

We will use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and your reference to decide whether to offer you a place. There are no interviews.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Apply for this course

You are applying for the Infection and Immunity BSc course. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.

Course starts: September 2027

UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.

Got questions? Get in touch

We are here to help. Get in touch with us for more information about our courses.

Division of Infection and Immunity

IMS.year1@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

Infection and Immunity BSc

Key information