About This Course
Medical Biology forms the bridge between basic research and clinical medicine. It is the corner stone of modern health care and advanced drug development. You will learn about the cellular and genetic causes of major medical disorders such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, as well as develop your knowledge of stem cell biology. You will study how major human diseases develop and explore the various ways in which medical disorders can be treated. The degree will take advantage of the expertise and facilities associated with the North West Cancer Research Institute.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- Cutting-edge science is integral to our research programmes, and feeds through into the teaching environment.
- Our expertise in medical biology encompasses studies into cell cycle research, cancer biology, neurobiology and development, cell and genome biology.
- Our excellent facilities include well equipped cell and molecular research laboratories and the Robert Edwards Laboratory which has been newly refurbished for practical teaching.
- Involvement of clinical staff from local hospitals in all aspects of teaching.
- Bangor University is a vibrant and friendly environment, with an excellent reputation for student support and for student satisfaction
Course Content
For more on studying degree courses see our Study at Bangor section.
You will have a range of lectures and practicals each week, supplemented with tutorials in years 1 and 2. The final year includes a research project, supervised by a staff member on a subject of your interest. Assessment is by formal examination and continuous assessment in a variety of formats. Welsh-medium modules are also available.
What will you study on this course?
Year 1
In year one you will carry out a number of compulsory modules to provide you with a good grounding in several important aspects of biology. Since year 1 is common for all undergraduate degrees in the School of Medical Sciences, you will have an opportunity to change to Medical Sciences (B100) or Biomedical Science (B102) before the start of year 2 (subject to eligibility criteria).
Modules:
- Foundation in Molecules and Cells
- Key Skills in Medical Science
- Foundation in Chemistry
- Good Laboratory Practice
- Biomedical Practicals
- Physiology and Anatomy
- Introduction to Microbiology
- Foundation in Therapeutics
Year 2 & 3
Modules in the second and third year build on first year content and introduce more advanced concepts and practical skills. These focus on obtaining knowledge and expertise that can be used for future studies (e.g. our MRes in Molecular Medicine or PhD studies) or employment in research-related areas.
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Medical Biology Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Course Costs
Mandatory Costs:
*Hep B Vaccine including blood tests approx. £200.00
3rd Year Dissertation Printing £3.00-£28.00
3rd Year Printing Posters £15:00
Optional Costs:
Highly Recommended E member of IBMS E10:00 per year.
Welcome Week trips etc arranged by peer guides (approx. £20:00).
Notes:
*Students will need to have had two of the three vaccine course prior to starting the programme.
If students have already had the vaccine they will need to provide documentary evidence and proof of a recent blood test.
General University Costs
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
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).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
For 2021 entry:
GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Language, Maths and Science required, if not demonstrated by the Level 3 qualification.
Offers are tariff based, 80 - 112 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels (including Biology and at least one other science from Chemistry (preferred), Medical Science, Physics or Maths)
- WJEC Medical Science Applied Diploma and Applied Certificate
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma and Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMP - DMM (Biology and Chemistry modules required)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: Including Biology and Chemistry (Preferred) at Higher Level
- Access: Only Science or Bioscience diplomas provide the necessary pre-requisite knowledge
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification
- Key Skills and General Studies not accepted.
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information here.
We also welcome applications from mature applicants.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
General University Requirements
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.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
Graduates are suitably placed to meet the recruitment needs of employers in the areas of biotechnology, drug development, clinical research or public health services. Medical biologists can become involved in intellectual property management, business development, project management or marketing, and are employed by cancer charities, government agencies, the NHS and research institutes.
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA)
With the BEA, you can gain recognition for your extra-curricular activities (e.g. volunteering, clubs and societies, part-time work, etc.)
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about the volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
