Medical Biology BSc (Hons)

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, psychiatric syndromes, 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.
• Pleasant and friendly environment in which to study.

Key Facts from UniStats

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 field courses, and tutorials in years 1 and 2. The final year includes an experimental project or a literature review, supervised by a staff member on a subject of your interest. Assessment is by formal examination and continuous assessment. 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.

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

Compulsory modules:

• Bioscience Skills
• Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry Practicals
• Haematology & Transfusion
• Basic Clinical Biochemistry
• Human Immunology
• Medical Microbiology

Year 3

Compulsory modules:

• Microbiology & Human Disease
• Pathophysiology
• Medical Genetics
• Micropathology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Drug Development
• Research Project

Master in Medical Biology

Currently students who have achieved internal criteria at the end of Year 2 can transfer onto the Masters programme.

The fourth year is dedicated to an individual research project, accompanied by one taught module in Advanced Research Skills.

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.

Graduates in Medical Biology are suitably placed to meet the recruitment needs of future 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. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)

The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.

The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.

The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.

Internships

Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.

Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.

Student Volunteering

Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.

The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.

TARGETconnect - Working while you Study

The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.

TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:

• Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
• Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
• Work experience / internships
• Voluntary opportunities

For 2020 entry:

GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Language, Maths and Science. Typical offer is based on a minimum of 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: 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: Pass
• Welsh Baccalaureate
• Extended Project Qualification
• Key Skills and General Studies not accepted.

For 2019 entry:

• 128-112 tariff points including a level 3 qualification* in Biology and preferably at least AS (or equivalent) in Chemistry. *Level 3 qualifications include A levels, BTEC, Access, Irish Highers, International Baccalaureate, Welsh Baccalaureate, Scottish Advanced Highers and others – for a full list, please refer to the new UCAS tariff at www.ucas.com.
• Applications with the new WJEC Medical Science A Level will also be considered for all our undergraduate programs
• We also welcome applications from mature applicants, individuals with European qualifications and international applicants (subject to minimum English language requirements).
• Applicants wishing to undertake Access to Higher Education Diplomas to gain entry onto this course should note that only Science or Bioscience diplomas provide the necessary pre-requisite knowledge. 

General University entry requirements

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.

To study a degree, diploma or certificate course 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 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 help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.

Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.

EU and International students' entry requirements

For information and further detailed guidance on 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.

More information

Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants

E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717 

International students (non-UCAS applicants)

Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to

Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF

Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028

When coming to University, you will have two main costs, Tuition Fees and Living 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 guest tickets (£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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Mandatory Costs:

*Hep B Vaccine including blood tests approx. £200.00

3^rd Year Dissertation Printing £3.00-£28.00

3^rd 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.

How to apply through UCAS

Apply online via UCAS

UCAS stands for Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. All university applications are processed through UCAS and then passed on to the universities listed.

Students may apply for a maximum of five courses. For Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary courses students are only allowed to apply for four courses.

The application form is found on the UCAS website, under ‘Apply’.

The early closing date is October 15 for all Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary students. The main closing date for all applications is January 15.

Your Personal Statement

Writing your Personal Statement is the part of the application form that requires most work. You are only allowed 47 lines or 500–550 words to explain why you wish to study the course and the skills you have that are essential for university study.

To write a successful personal statement for your UCAS application you must have a good understanding about the course and its content. Remember that you write only one personal statement for your five choices. Make sure that the courses are similar, if not the same, and make sure that you do not mention a specific course or university.

Read our advice on how to draft a winning personal statement or watch our video guide.

After you’ve applied

You should keep an eye on your application on UCAS ‘Track’. Offers from universities will appear on track and you will be able to accept or decline offers.

You can only reply when you have received all your decisions. The types of reply you can make are firm acceptance and insurance acceptance. Usually students reply in early May.

International Student?

If you are an international student, our International Student pages offer further information on applying.

As an international student applying to study one of our undergraduate programmes you can:

• apply via UCAS,
• or apply direct to Bangor through our online direct application system
• or apply with the help of one of our recruitment agents

Erasmus student?

We receive around 350 exchange students every year from all over the world. 45% of these students come from Europe and the remainder from as far as Singapore, South Korea and Australia.

The University’s International Exchanges Office is responsible for welcoming these students.

Confused about your next steps?

Take a look at our Going to University website for information and advice on getting ready for university.

Contact us

The Admissions Administrator
Tel: 01248 388620
E-mail: medsciences@bangor.ac.uk
www.bangor.ac.uk/sms

Studying at Bangor

Rated Gold for teaching

We have been awarded a Gold rating, the highest rating possible, for the standarad of our teaching in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment. The TEF assessment took into account teaching quality, learning environment and student outcomes and learning gain. We were judged to deliver consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for our students and our teaching is of the highest quality found in the UK.

A top 10 university

The National Student Survey (NSS) results place Bangor amongst the UK’s top 10 universities (excluding specialist institutions) for student satisfaction. This reflects the University’s focus on overall student experience.

Enjoy a university experience that’s amongst the best in the UK

The guaranteed accommodation, student support, low cost of living and stunning location all contribute towards this.

Take advantage of the Bangor Student Experience with free membership of student clubs and societies, a new international experience programme and employability award scheme.

Award-winning clubs and societies!

Our clubs and societies have been named the best in the UK at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2019.

Unrivalled location

Choose to study in one of the best places in the UK to be a student. Bangor’s location – close to the mountains and the sea - has been described as ‘the best university setting in the UK’.

Bangor is the most affordable place in the UK to be a student (TotalMoney 2019).

Investment in facilities

Benefit from continued investment in facilities and services – with Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Halls of Residence, and improved sports facilities amongst recent developments.

Guaranteed accommodation in award-winning halls of residence

We guarantee accommodation for first year students who apply within the deadline and hold Bangor as their Firm Choice. Our accommodation has been named the best in the UK at the 2018 WhatUni Student Choice Awards.

• Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) (3 years)
• Biomedical Science with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) (4 years)
• Medical Biochemistry BSc (Hons) (3 years)
• Medical Biochemistry with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) (4 years)
• Medical Sciences BMedSci (Hons) (3 years)
• Medical Sciences with Foundation Year BMedSci (Hons) (4 years)
• Medicine: North Wales* MBBCh (4 years)