BSc (Hons) Medical Biology with foundation year

• 48 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
• Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Biology, chemistry or other relevant science-related subjects are preferred.
• You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English, Mathematics and preferably Science.
• You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Medical biology careers span the spectrum of medical sciences. Since the subject area is so broad in scope, the available career options are similarly vast. Whether your focus is on disease diagnosis and treatment or developing a new medicine, medical biology careers often involve working in laboratories. Understanding how to use laboratory equipment is crucial, so this is an important focus of our BSc (Hons) Medical Biology with foundation year degree. As a graduate of our course, you can expect to possess knowledge of a wide range of laboratory techniques and experience using high-specification instrumentation, alongside a sound understanding of the theories and principles of relevant bioscience disciplines.

Though some careers can be more independent, working in a team with other professionals is common, so collaboration and team-working are encouraged throughout this degree. Analytical and problem-solving skills are also vital, along with strong literacy and numeracy, so we'll support you to gain these skills.

What can I do with this qualification?

As a graduate, you’ll have gained a highly transferable skill set that can be adapted to a huge range of careers and work environments in both the public and private sectors.

Medical biologists are employed in healthcare, biotechnology, medical research and pharmaceutical fields. Working in hospital laboratories, health clinics, government agencies, charities, education, and even sales are possible options. Other potential areas of employment include medical science, epidemiology and laboratory technology. Alternatively, you may choose to use your degree as a springboard to higher-level study in medicine or postgraduate qualifications.

If you’re attracted to a career in medicine, you may also be interested in becoming a physician associate (PA). Physician associates work under the direct supervision of a doctor and carry out many similar tasks, including patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. The University of Bolton’s MSc Physician Associate Studies course is open to BSc (Hons) Medical Biology graduates who achieve at least a lower second class (2.2) honours degree and takes only two years to complete.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers, bearing in mind that relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

• Teaching and education
• Medical administration
• Health service management
• Science writing
• Health promotion
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Research and development
• Medical sales
• Intellectual property
• Financial analysis
• Genetics
• Health education
• Public relations

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For 2023-2024 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year. The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2023-2024 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

Face-to-face contact with our expert team is highly interactive, and we pride ourselves on offering personalised support and attention. Our strong preference for small group teaching means your tutors quickly get to know you as an individual. This ensures we can respond to your questions, identify your learning style and support your learning more effectively.

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods to help you achieve your potential. Lectures introduce course content, while seminars are a valuable way to explore subjects in greater detail. Tutorials allow you to ask questions about the topics we cover and discuss your learning approaches and strategies for success. Practical laboratory sessions help you learn to apply academic theory to scientific problems and develop practical skills in research methods and scientific techniques. Mini-research projects embedded in practical classes encourage your curiosity and help build your critical thinking skills. Also, guided computer-based workshops help you gain the data analysis skills and knowledge you’ll need for your final year research project and develop crucial skills in bioinformatics.

Self-directed and independent study is essential if you want to reach your potential in this hugely rewarding and constantly evolving subject, so we encourage you to devote significant time to it. For example, for background reading, assignments, preparing for seminars, writing essays and revising for exams.

Summative assessments include in-class tests, essays, seminar presentations, laboratory reports, independent project work, and exams that contribute to your final module marks. These assessments are your chance to confirm your knowledge and understanding, as well as your critical and evaluation skills.

Meanwhile, you’ll get to benefit from ongoing formative assessments throughout your degree. These don’t contribute to module marks or final grades but are designed to support your progress and help you build on your strengths, and overcome perceived weaknesses. They’re also a good way to help you identify and pursue the independent learning strategies that best suit your needs and preferences.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Principles of Biomolecular Science
• Research Skills for Medical Biology
• Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology
• Transition to Higher Education
• Investigating Science and Personal Development
• Introduction to Biochemistry
• Human Anatomy
• Human Physiology
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• Medical Biochemistry
• Medical Microbiology
• Research Science in Practice
• Nutrition and Physical Activity in Health and Disease
• Cancer Biology
• Neurobiology
• Biological Basis of Disease and Therapeutics
• Clinical Diagnostic Techniques
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• Project and Professional Practice

Assessment methods

Learning activities

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.