BSc Hons Medical Biology

at Bangor University

As illustrated by the rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a thorough understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying health and disease is fundamental for the development of novel diagnostic procedures and treatments. This also applies to the development of diagnostics and treatments for other diseases, e.g. cancer, cardiovascular, neurological and immunological disorders. The objective of this research-led programme is to educate skilled graduates who contribute to research in industry as well as in academia. You’ll learn about the cellular and genetic causes of medical disorders such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, etc., with a strong emphasis on pre-clinical research, molecular genetics and modern laboratory techniques, taught in extensive practicals in our state-of-the-art laboratories. The medical biology course is created to provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for a career in biomedical sciences or to prepare you for further study, including graduate-level entry into medicine, dentistry, or research-based postgraduate Masters or PhD degrees.

What will you study on this course?

Year 1
The first year is an introduction to important aspects of Biomedical Sciences and includes lectures, laboratory practical sessions and tutorial sessions in key foundation subjects. Your first year modules have an emphasis on developing the key factual and practical skills which you will require to progress with the remainder of your studies. Examples of material you’ll be covering include human physiology, molecular genetics, cell biology, microbiology, chemistry as well as fundamental academic skills. In your laboratory sessions we’ll teach you how to work safely within a laboratory environment as well as the wider regulatory frameworks in which laboratory environments operate.

Year 1 is common to all three of the degrees listed below which gives you the opportunity to change to one of the other degrees (subject to eligibility criteria), giving you the flexibility to change degree routes before the start of year two if your interests change.

• Biomedical Science (B102)
• Medical Sciences (B100)
• Medical Biology (B103)

Year 2 & 3
A significant part of the curriculum consists of subjects directly relevant for the understanding of molecular mechanisms of disease, e.g. Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Immunology. Especially In the 3rd year you’ll focus on research and will participate in an advanced two week full day practical (Laboratory Molecular Research) and attend state of the art research seminars given by distinguished external speakers. You’ll also undertake your final year research project and could, for example, be supervised by specialist researchers in the well-equipped laboratories of the North West Cancer Research Institute.

Internships and work experience are encouraged and supported during your degree, to help you gain an insight into the world of work and give you a competitive edge. We offer the opportunity to take short work placements (over a summer holiday) or year-long ‘sandwich’ placements, with all of our degree programmes.

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.   

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry and 2022/23 entry).
• The fee for all placement, international, and sandwich years is £1,350 (2021/22 and 2022/23).
• More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
• International (including EU) students

International Student Tuition Fees

• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs

• There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

As a Medical Biology graduate, you’ll have an excellent set of career options. You’ll be well placed to meet the recruitment needs of employers in the areas of biotechnology, drug development, clinical research or public health services. Medical biologists can also become involved in intellectual property management, business development, project management or medical marketing and are employed by cancer charities, government agencies, the NHS, research institutes, etc.

Students who want to pursue an advanced research career in academia or industry are advised to continue their education with a postgraduate degree, e.g. the MRes in Molecular Medicine or a PhD degree, for which a degree in Medical Biology provides an excellent foundation.