Course Overview
Overview
This interdisciplinary course allows you to explore the science underpinning human health and its related fields. You’ll also explore the principles and practice of biomedical science, and how they are applied in research, policy and industry.
This exciting new course will open up the potential for you to become one of tomorrow’s leading scientists, by allowing you to develop pure scientific rigour and skills, as well as the analytical ability, professional outlook and interpersonal intelligence required to succeed in a changing world.
It is taught in our Faculty of Medicine, one of the world’s most respected – Northampton currently ranks fourth in the world for clinical, pre-clinical and health in The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018.
Our teaching taps into the cutting-edge research programme being conducted by internationally recognised experts within the Faculty. This gives you access to the very latest developments in the subject field.
The syllabus will be taught online and face-to-face using the principles of active learning and will not involve traditional lectures.
We also offer this degree with Management, which includes a fourth year in Northampton College Business School that’s designed to complement your scientific and clinical skills with business acumen.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your Tier 4 visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Study programme
The first two years cover topics in fundamental human biology and the molecular basis of human disease. The syllabus will be taught online and face-to-face using the principles of active learning and will not involve traditional lectures.
You also complete an extensive laboratory programme in our bespoke Lab Pods, which are designed to integrate theory and practice. This enables you to work on real-life research questions in a learning environment that mirrors an authentic research laboratory.
In your third year, you can choose from a range of specialist modules, each of which examines a global health problem, and you will also complete a final-year project. This can be an intensive research project, a placement, or a dissertation on a biomedical science-related topic.
Placement possibilities may include industry, hospitals, publishing houses, museums, charities and government agencies.
Transfer between courses
You are able to transfer between our two Medical Biosciences courses up to the Easter of your third year. There is no benefit in applying to more than one Medical Biosciences course so you should only apply for one course.
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your Tier 4 visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Transfer from our Medical Biosciences courses to our MBBS/BSc Medicine course is not possible.
Duration
3 years
full-time
Careers
Our courses are designed to educate future leaders in research and industry, policy makers and science communicators.
Medical Biosciences graduates may, for example, pursue careers as academic researchers, in technical and managerial industry roles, or as journalists and museum curators. The programme also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study, enabling you to progress to Master’s and PhD courses.
Our courses’ emphasis on developing highly sought transferable analytical and research skills will also equip graduates to enter careers in the professional and charitable sectors and in small and medium enterprises.
Related departments
You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:
- Chemical Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Medicine
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
We teach using blended learning pedagogy, sometimes referred to as flipped learning. We provide you with factual information that you would traditionally receive in a lecture online in advance and then consolidate your knowledge through active learning with the academics leading the modules and your colleagues in class. This means you will not have traditional lectures. You will be provided with a tablet computer to enable you to fully engage with our e-learning materials.
Theoretical knowledge and practical transferable skills will increase in complexity over the three years so that you gradually develop your critical thinking, analytical skills and ability to evaluate information. Transferable skills are weaved throughout the programme, most notably in the Lab Pods in Years 1 and 2, and a number of learning events that include many different activities and workshops such as the “Conference Week”, which promotes interaction between Year 1 and 2 students.
The Lab Pods, which take place across Year 1 and Year 2, are part of an innovative laboratory-based programme that places you one day a week in a research-like environment, working on a research project from the word go. We are proud of our teaching laboratories which are equipped to an outstanding standard.
You can also choose to undertake a 20-week long final-year laboratory-based research project embedded in real work environments such as research teams based within Imperial or other academic or pharmaceutical organisations.
Alternatively, you can spend 14 weeks in a work placement inside or outside a research environment, or writing a literature review on a biomedical science-related topic and further engage in two very exciting modules in the areas of creative reflection, science communication and public engagement.
Teaching, independent study and placement hours
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures, seminars and similar | 284 hours | 284 hours | 58 hours |
| Independent study | 1,216 hours | 1,216 hours | 722 hours |
| Placement | – | – | 720 hours |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course | |||
Assessment
You can expect a variety of different types of assessment methods.
Written assessment
- Essays
- Lay articles/press releases
- Grant applications
- Digital storytelling
- Written and computer-based examinations
- Report writing
- Scientific papers
- Compiled assessment from TBL sessions, including quizzes
- Creative writing
- Placement report
- Business case
- Dissertation, plus dissertation preparation
Oral assessment
- Oral presentations
- Digital storytelling
- Poster presentations
- Laboratory practicals
- Peer assessment of group reports
- Group reports
Practical assessment
- Lab books
- Experiment write-up
- Lab work
- Placement report
- Data handling
Students are required to achieve an overall aggregate mark of at least 40% with a mark of at least 40% in each module to pass the year.
Assessment types
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 42% | 40% | 70% |
| Practical | 5% | 6% | 30% |
| Written | 53% | 54% | – |
| Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number | |||
Staff expertise
At Northampton, you will be taught by a range of teachers of all levels from Professors to PhD students, including some who undertake groundbreaking research and are regarded as experts in their field.
You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.
Associateship
As well as your main Northampton degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Northampton College School of Medicine (ANCSM).
You may also experience peer teaching and be taught by specialists external to the College.
Course compares
See how this course compares with similar courses at different institutions using the Unistats Key Information Set (KIS).
You can use the KIS to find out how this course compares in areas such as the proportion of time spent in timetabled teaching and independent study, how the course is assessed, student satisfaction and what our graduates are doing six months after completing this course.
Structure
Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Year 1
Core modules
- Chemistry of Biological Interactions
- Integrative Body Systems
- Lab Pod I
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Statistics
Year 2
Core modules
- Cancer Biology
- Genetics and Genomics
- Lab Pod II
Optional modules
You choose four from the list below.
- Cardiovascular and Thoracic Biology
- Immunology and Inflammation
- Microbiome in Health and Disease
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Stem Cells and Reproductive Biology
Year 3
Core modules
Project modules
You choose one module from below.
- Laboratory Based Research Project
- Literature Based Research Project
- Work Placement Based Project
Compulsory modules
If you choose a literature based or work placement based research project, you study both of the modules below.
- Creative Reflection for Professional Practice
-
Science Communication and Public Engagement
Optional modules
You choose three modules from below.
- Biology of Ageing
- Designing Drugs for the 21st Century
- Global Health
- Nanotechnology and Bioengineering
- Obesity and Diabetes
- Regenerative Medicine
- Science Communication and Public Engagement*
- Precision Medicine
- Targeting Antimicrobial Resistance
* If you choose the laboratory based research project this module becomes available as an optional module.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.
For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.
A-levels
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for 2020 entry is AAA overall, to include:
- A in Biology or Human Biology
- A in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics
- A in another subject (if your second choice is Mathematics or Further Mathematics, your third choice must be a non-Mathematics subject)
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Typical offer range
As a guide, here are the typical offers made in 2017-18 to at least 80% of applicants studying A-levels:
Three A-level offer: AAA
Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)
If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.
The practical endorsement is part of the reformed English linear A-levels.
Additional Mathematics support
Our new A-level Mathematics online course covers a range of key topic areas to help you gain a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques required to succeed in your A-level Mathematics exams.
This optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus with the aim of developing your thinking skills, fluency and confidence.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is available free of charge via the EdX website. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
International Baccalaureate
Minimum entry standards
Our minimum entry standard for entry is 38 points overall, to include:
- 6 in Biology at higher level
- 6 in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics at higher level
Typical offer range
As a guide, the typical offer made in 2017-18 to at least 80% of applicants studying IB was 38 points overall.
Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2021
For entry in 2021, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.
Additional Mathematics support
We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
Advanced Placements
The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Imperial.
If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Northampton alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.
Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.
Our minimum requirement for this course is grades 5, 5, 5 to include:
- 5 in Biology
- 5 in Chemistry
- 5 in a Mathematics or Science subject
Additional Mathematics support
We have recently launched an A-level Mathematics online course, which is available free of charge via the EdX website.
Although this optional course has been built around the A-level syllabus, it is relevant to your curriculum too.
Please note: this course is not compulsory and does not form part of the entry requirements for this course. It is self-paced so you can start it at any time.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.
How to apply
The BSc Medical Bioscience by online learning has start dates in September and January of each academic year.
We recommend that you apply as early as possible; this is particularly important for applicants who may need to allow sufficient time to take an English language test
Documentation required
Applications are made online via the University Application Service, EUCLID.
Please follow the instructions carefully and make sure that you have included the following documentation with your application:
- Degree certificates showing award of degree.
- Previous academic transcripts for all past degree programmes.
- A reference in support or your application. The reference should be academic and dated no earlier than one year from the start of study on the LLM programme.
- Evidence of English language proficiency, if required.
If you are currently studying for your degree or you are not in a possession of an English test result you may still apply to the programme. Please note that it is your responsibility to submit the necessary documents.
After you apply
After your application has been submitted you will be able to track its progress through the University’s applicant hub.
Application processing times will vary however the admissions team will endeavour to process your application within four to six weeks of submission. Please note that missing documentation will delay the application process.
You will be informed as soon as possible of the decision taken. Three outcomes are possible:
- You may be offered a place unconditionally
- You may be offered a conditional place, which means that you must fulfil certain conditions that will be specified in the offer letter. Where a conditional offer is made, it is your responsibility to inform the College Postgraduate Office when you have fulfilled the requirements set out.
- Your application may be unsuccessful. If your application has not been successful, you can request feedback from us or refer to our guidance for unsuccessful applicants, which explains some of the common reasons we why we reach this decision.
View the University’s guidance for unsuccessful applicants
Terms and conditions of admissions
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The University’s terms and conditions form part of your contract with the University, and you should read them, and our data protection policy, carefully before applying.
Northampton University admissions terms and conditions