Medical Science B Med Sci (Hons)

The Medical Science programme aims to take students “from bench to bedside” through an integration of scientific and clinical approaches to study the human body. Our goal for the programme is to provide students with an exciting and challenging programme of study, reflecting the fast pace of change of modern medical science, equipping Medical Science graduates for a range of career options.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Overview

Our Medical Science programme always places students’ interest and learning experience at the heart of the teaching and learning activity, as supported by a strong integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and inclusive teaching. We have dedicated staff with diverse experience, outstanding level of pastoral care as well as scientific and clinical research informed teaching.

After successfully completing year one, Medical Science students will be equipped with fundamental knowledge of and practical skills in chemistry and biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology and personal and professional skills. In year two, students integrate their understanding of the healthy human body with disease pathology and processes before being introduced to the disciplines and techniques involved in delivering quality healthcare, and an insight into management principles relevant to many professional settings in year three.

In year three, students also design and implement an independent research project, either laboratory, literature-based or clinical-based, which is written up as a scientific article and presented as a public engagement poster. This demands excellent time management and organisational skills, the ability to plan and to execute scientific research, strong written communication skills, the ability to read and evaluate critically scientific articles, as well as excellent problem-solving, numeracy and analytical skills.

The practical component of this course equips graduates with experience and knowledge of a range of scientific equipment and procedures, including ELISAs, cell culture, histology, SDS-PAGE and western blotting, history taking, communication skills, measurement of vital signs, providing first aid, ECG and other monitoring methods for cardiovascular and health conditions.

Key features

Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

The academic quality of the curriculum has been assured by Royal Society of Biology accreditation
Dedicated staff with diverse experience, outstanding level of pastoral care as well as scientific and clinical research informed teaching
A strong integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and inclusive teaching
The teaching and learning activities in Medical Science programme include traditional lecture, interactive seminar and workshop, laboratory and clinical skill practical sessions.
Space for focused learning, excellent teaching contact time as well as exceptional academic support and pastoral care
Be part of a lifelong learning journey/process, rather than the end point.
Cultivation of learning and becoming an autonomous learner have been at the heart of the programme.
Utilisation of national and international sources of information (i.e. text books, guidelines, case reports and peer-review articles) to reflect on arising global issues.
Our students benefit from an international experience through our DMU Global programme, which has seen students conducting Biomedical Science workshops on topics including malaria, sickle cell disease, and diabetes to school students in Zimbabwe and Bermuda.

Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

More courses like this:

Biomedical Science BSc (Hons)

Diagnostic Radiography BSc (Hons)

Health and Wellbeing in Society BSc (Hons)

UK
EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: B902

Start date: September

Duration: Three years full-time or four years with optional placement year

Location: De Montfort University Leicester UK

Fees and funding:

2025/26 tuition fees for UK students: £9,250

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: B902

Start date: September

Duration: Three years full-time or four years with optional placement year

Location: De Montfort University Leicester UK.

Fees and funding:

2024/25 tuition fees for international students: £16,250

Find out more about available funding for international students.

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Entry criteria

GCSEs

Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including: English and Maths

Plus one of the following:

A Level

A minimum of 120 points from 2 or more A levels, including one A level in either Biology, Chemistry or Human Biology at grade C or above

T Levels

Merit in Science (with optional module in Laboratory Science only)

BTEC

BTEC National Diploma Science - Distinction/ Distinction/ Merit, or
BTEC Extended Diploma Science - Distinction/ Distinction/ Merit

Access course

122 UCAS Tariff Access to HE Diploma ‘Science’ with Distinctions in science specific modules not in generic learning modules.

English and Maths GCSE required at grade 4 (C) or above as separate qualifications

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course

International Baccalaureate: 28+ with six higher level points in Chemistry or Biology

Interview: No

Work experience: No

Personal statement selection criteria

Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
Information relevant to the course applied for
Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence
If relevant for the course - work and life experience

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

UCAS Tariff changes

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Structure and assessment

Year one

Provides students with the fundamental framework of biomedical science in human health.

Block 1: Personal and Professional Skills
Block 2: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Block 3: Anatomy and Physiology
Block 4: Microbiology

Year two

Builds on the foundation knowledge and skills from Year one. Students will start to integrate their understanding of the healthy human body with disease pathology and processes.

Block 1: Genetics and Molecular Pathology
Block 2: Clinical Skills for Medical Science
Block 3: Organ System Physiology
Block 4: Evidence-Based Medicine

Optional placement year in industry

Year three

Provides a more in-depth scientific understanding, clinical and professional skills. Students are introduced to the disciplines and techniques involved in delivering quality healthcare, and an insight into management principles relevant to many professional settings.

Block 1: Endocrinology and Nutrition
Block 2: Cancer Biology and Clinical Pharmacology
Block 3: Advanced Clinical Perspective for Medical Science
Block 4: Research and Innovation

See detailed module information

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

The teaching strategy includes lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials to deliver core and advanced theoretical knowledge. Some more advanced modules will use a problem-based learning approach to explore case studies through both independent and team working. Theoretical knowledge will be expanded within laboratory practical sessions which will demonstrate good practice and provide opportunities to develop experimental design, problem-solving, data analysis and presentation skills.

eLearning will be used to illustrate more complex biological processes from the use of simple animations to more complex experimental simulations. Both formal and informal assessments may be delivered on- line, and eLearning used to develop student skills in information retrieval and appraisal, and bioinformatics.

A range of assessment strategies are intended throughout the programme to demonstrate the students' attainment of learning outcomes, and are designed to be appropriate to the competency and level of skill required. Most of the existing modules use a combination of examinations and coursework. Coursework may include written assignments, oral presentations, poster presentations, the generation of experimental results, the completion of a laboratory task such as the production of a histological specimen, laboratory reports, article critiques and project reports. Less formal on-line quizzes and phase tests will enable students to monitor their progress and understanding.

Many teaching staff on the course have links with the NHS and industry through their own work, experience or research activities, which provides an exciting curriculum of up-to-date health and medical advances.

Facilities and features

Hawthorn Building and Heritage House

Substantial investment in Health and Life Sciences has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

Medical Science students benefit from recently refurbished teaching laboratory space, with attached cell culture facilities. Students will have access to many different types of taught practical sessions and laboratories, for microbiology, biochemistry, and research, in different group sizes and scenarios. Later in the course, students will also access specialised laboratory spaces when conducting their final year UG research projects.

Medical Science students also benefit from the state-of-art clinical skills suites which allow students to learn and practise in a safe environment. Students will receive guidance and support from staff to ensure that you develop a precise and accurate practical ability in the clinical skills suites.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available.

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub.

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Students have previously undertaken placement opportunities at Institute of Lung Health at Glenfield Hospital, Clintec and private healthcare organisations.

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers.

Through DMU Global, we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

The DMU Global initiative has seen Medical Science students explore preventative healthcare in Berlin, raise awareness of type 2 diabetes in Kentucky and perform a parasitological and public health research study in New York.

Graduate careers

To help students prepare for specific careers choices, not only do we have a professional careers team, careers conferences, and employment talks, but an initiative where alumni give their advice for students following in their footsteps, including students who have gone on to postgraduate medicine and dentistry, research, and clinical laboratory careers.

Graduate opportunities exist in medical research, writing, education, commerce and sales. This is an appropriate entry qualification for graduates who wish to apply for further study in graduate entry medicine, physician associate, pharmacy, dentistry or NHS medical care practitioner training.

Take your next steps

Nine halls of residence and around 2,300 rooms, all of which are within easy walking distance of the campus.

Run by students for students, DSU offers more than 150 societies and almost 40 different sports clubs for you to get involved in.

Medical Science B Med Sci (Hons)

Block teaching designed around you

Overview

Find your new home at DMU

Entry criteria

Structure and assessment

Course modules