About This Course
Medical Biology is the corner stone of modern health care and drug development, forming a bridge between fundamental research and clinical medicine. You’ll learn about cellular and genetic causes of major medical disorders such as cancer and autoimmune diseases with a strong emphasis on pre-clinical research and modern laboratory techniques. You’ll benefit from the expertise of the North West Cancer Research Institute. Graduates work in biotechnology, drug development, clinical research or public health services.
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.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- Top 10 for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2022).
- Top 10 for Career Prospects (Guardian Good University Guide 2022).
- Top 10 for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2022).
- Top 15 for Student Satisfaction (National Student Survey 2021).
- Our expertise in medical biology encompasses studies into cell cycle research, cancer biology, neurobiology and development, cell and genome biology.
- Excellent facilities include well equipped cell and molecular research labs and newly refurbished practical teaching labs.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.
Course Content
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.
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.
Facilities
Medical Sciences facilities
- We have a suite of recently refurbished laboratories in the Brambell Building. Most of our lab work takes place in labs A1, B1 and C4, which have state-of-the-art audio-visual systems so you can follow in detail what is being demonstrated. We also have a Cat 2 specialist laboratory, used for work with medium-risk biological agents and hazards, and genetically modified organisms.
- You’ll use a range of equipment while working in these labs, including: scales, centrifuges, spectrometers and specialist equipment.
- Final year research project students may have access to expertise and facilities in the well-equipped North West Cancer Research Institute. Apart from essential laboratory equipment (centrifuges, incubators, etc.), state-of-the-art equipment includes confocal microscopes, a flow cytometer, a high-throughput screening robot, access to mass spectrometry and high throughput DNA sequencing facilities etc.
- Our new human anatomy suite will be completed by 2022, and will incorporate cutting-edge technology such as an Anatomage table, the world’s first virtual dissection table. We anticipate it will be used by BMedSci Medical Sciences undergraduates as well as students on our Physician Associate MA and the C21 North Graduate Entry to Medicine degree that's delivered entirely in north Wales by Bangor University in partnership with Cardiff’s Medical School.
Natural Sciences facilities
- Natural History Museum with an exceptionally comprehensive collection of vertebrate material, which includes a diverse collection of vertebrate and invertebrate specimens, including primates.
- Extensive marine and freshwater aquaria with a suite of temperature-controlled rooms.
- Pigeon loft for bird cognition, physiology, and biomechanics research.
- Treborth Botanic Garden, which covers an area of 18 hectares on the shores of the Menai Strait. It contains Europe's largest underground root laboratory (the rhizotron), a teaching laboratory, formal garden beds, a rock garden, an arboretum and a conservation collection.
- Rodent and reptile facilities.
- Our university farm based at Henfaes, about 7 miles from Bangor and totals 252 hectares. It provides facilities for research and teaching in lowland agriculture, forestry, hydrology, environmental science and conservation. We conduct fieldtrips and you can run your own large-scale experiment for your project.
- Alpaca, sheep and bee hives at the University farm at Henfaes.
- We are on the coast, next to the Irish Sea and the Menai Strait providing a range of habitat types for field courses and study sites for final-year projects.
- Dedicated reptile facilities including venomous snake rooms.
- Environmentally controlled spaces for project work.
- Insect rooms.
- Woodlands.
- Large modern teaching and research laboratories, and a dedicated student research hub for dissertation work.
- Imaging facilities.
- A very large range of analytical kit, so that you can learn how to analyse environmental samples both in the field and in the lab.
- Our very own geology collection – regarded as one of the best in the country.
- Computer laboratories for you to develop your skills in key areas such as digital mapping and environmental modelling.
- Wood library.
- Dedicated environmental research labs.
- One of our best facilities is the environment on our doorstep – you will get the chance to visit so many different places on our fieldtrips, which will cement your learning and understanding of topics.
- Our biological, chemical, and environmental laboratories are used for a range of teaching and learning. We have specific research-laboratories located in the Environmental Centre Wales, which include: a radio and stable isotope lab, a Category 2 pathogen lab, a darkened microscope room, sample preparation laboratories and a dedicated analytical instrument lab.
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Course Costs
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
GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Language, Maths and Science required, if not demonstrated by the Level 3 qualification.
Offers are tariff based, 96 - 120 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). Key Skills and General Studies not accepted
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM (Biology and Chemistry modules required)
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM (Biology and Chemistry modules required)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass required (Including Biology and Chemistry (Preferred) at Higher Level)
- Access: Pass required in Science or Bioscience diplomas, as they provide the necessary pre-requisite knowledge.
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification (Points can include a relevant Extended Project (EPQ) but must include a minimum 2 full A-levels, or equivalent)
- WJEC Medical Science Applied Diploma and Applied Certificate.
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements). More information here.
We are happy to accept combinations of the qualifications listed above, as well as alternative Level 3 qualifications. We also welcome applications from mature applicants.
*For full details go to our website and for a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
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). Key Skills and General Studies not accepted
- 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: Pass required. Only Science or Bioscience diplomas provide the necessary pre-requisite knowledge
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification.
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 full details go to our website and 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
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.
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)
The BEA is a comprehensive online course that you can work through at your own pace, taking you through all the steps you need to take to explore, prepare and apply for your dream career.
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 volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
Foundation Year
A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Biomedical Science (with Foundation Year).
What is a Foundation Year course?
If you don’t have the required qualifications for the degree-level course or are looking to re-enter education after time away from study, then a Foundation Year Programme might be the right choice for you.
The Foundation Year is an excellent introduction to studying this subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to study this course at degree-level.
When you have successfully completed the Foundation Year, you can progress on to the first year of this degree-level course.
