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Hear from our tutors and students on how studying this course could set you on a path towards making important contributions to scientific discoveries.
Biomedical Science MSci (Hons) degree Course overview
Highlights
- There has been a medical school at the City St George's Tooting site since 1752. City St George’s, University of London is still the only UK university with such a strong focus on healthcare, science and medical education and research.
- Our Biomedical Science MSci course offers a full academic year final research project, allowing you to obtain greater practical and research skills. This will enhance your eligibility for subsequent PhD study or research posts.
- Have access to specialist expertise in laboratory, epidemiological and clinical research which is available within both the University and St George’s Hospital.
- Have access to excellent facilities to help you develop strong research knowledge and skills, including cell and molecular biology techniques, microscopy, imaging and flow cytometry in our Imaging Research Facility, animal and cellular models of human disease and bioinformatics.
- Take part in extra-curricular activities including external seminars and visits to exhibitions and research centres.
- Develop key transferrable skills including critical thinking, complex problem-solving, data analysis and application and communication skills. Our weekly small group problem-based teaching sessions are a valuable asset in improving these skills.
- Increase your employability further by opting to take an integrated Professional Training Year either in the UK or abroad within the commercial/biomedical industry sectors, research institutions, government bodies or the NHS.
- Be eligible for the same financial support throughout the course that you would be entitled to if you were studying an undergraduate degree – even though you will graduate with a Master’s level degree. This makes it a highly cost-effective option.
Course Information
Biomedical science is the starting point for the medical breakthroughs that help people live longer, healthier lives. If you’re driven by the desire to use science to advance knowledge and understanding, studying this course could set you on a path towards making important contributions to scientific discoveries.
The first two years cover a broad interdisciplinary curriculum that encompass core modules of biomedical science and professional and academic skills designed to aid your learning journey in preparation for a bespoke third year. In Year Three, the MSci programme offers research skills-focused modules and a choice of relevant subject specific pathways.
Practical from the outset, over the first three years, you’ll build experience in essential lab techniques in our modern teaching and research laboratories and study body systems both in class and hands-on in our dedicated anatomy suite and our museum of human disease.
The substantial final-year research project running the length of the academic year provides excellent preparation for further research training, and higher education degrees such as a PhD and working across the biomedical sector and beyond. The programme will equip you with wide-ranging research competencies such as:
- critical thinking
- complex problem-solving
- project management
- data analysis
- scientific communication
Additionally, you will put into practice and enhance your abilities to collaborate and lead. Altogether, these are valuable transferable skills that are highly desirable for employers.
Whilst studying on the programme, Biomedical Science MSci students can attend St George’s the annual careers fair, summer careers festival, drop-in careers clinics or book individual appointments with the university’s Careers Consultants. Additional support is available from the Academic lead for Biomedical Science Employability and there are numerous resources embedded within the curriculum to help you explore your options, plan your experience and develop your professional goals.
You can gain valuable work experience with opportunities to undertake short, or long-term placements. These include summer internships in academia and industry. There is also an opportunity to improve your employability further by undertaking a Professional Training Year (PTY) between your second and third years of study; St George’s has excellent industry links and previous students have worked in commercial organisations and on academic placements in both the UK and Europe.
A wide range of optional modules
In your final year, you can specialise and tailor your studies choosing from nine optional specialist pathways delivered in 3 modules of 15-30 credits, each of which covers a different but interlinked topic of your chosen specialism. This specialisation is reflected in your degree title: you will graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science with Specialism (e.g. Biomedical Science with Anatomy).
Study in modern laboratories
Practical from the outset, you’ll develop essential lab techniques in our modern teaching and research laboratories and study body systems both in class and hands-on in our dedicated dissection room. You’ll relate your learning to everyday living through real-life disease and treatment case studies, research and access to our unique on-site collection of over 2,000 pathological specimens.
These skills and knowledge will help you to tackle your final-year Research Project. This is a 45-credit hands-on project undertaken alongside our professional research teams and supervised by one of our expert academics; it is your opportunity to engage with real-life biomedical research, addressing important scientific questions in one of many disciplines on offer.
Facilities
We have a range of specialist health and academic facilities to support your learning,
Laboratories
Our teaching laboratories are fully fitted with equipment necessary to carry out practical teaching sessions covering biomedical science subjects. Specialist audio visual equipment facilitates large-group laboratory teaching in these spaces. Furthermore, students will have access to tissue culture facilities, flow cytometry, molecular biology labs and animal model research facilities.
Imaging Resource Facility (IRF)
First established in 1979, the IRF has developed to encompass light microscopy, confocal laser microscopy, and flow cytometry housed in a single department providing a range of imaging and cell analysis option with expert facility staff available for training and support. Users of the IRF can image histology samples, cells and molecules of all varieties, and model organisms such as zebrafish, using any of the light microscope, slide scanning, timelapse and confocal microscope systems we maintain, supported by experienced staff.
Anatomy suite
The anatomy suite is where present and future healthcare professionals and scientists in the University and St George's Hospital learn or expand on their anatomy knowledge directly from the human body, through access to high quality anatomy resources. These include plastinated (preserved) specimens, osteological materials, anatomical models and digital/imaging resources such as Anatomage tables and Complete Anatomy.
Museum of Human Disease
Our Tooting campus museum houses a collection of over 2,000 pathological specimens, including a number of original specimens donated by Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie in 1843. This space is used for small group tutorials by students across all of our courses as an educational tool to help you understand the mechanisms of disease.
Library and learning technology
Our modern health sciences library offers a wide range of books, e-books, academic journals and other resources to support you. You will also have access to online resources, such as the Canvas virtual learning environment and our Hunter discovery service to help you find the information you need. The library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and comprises silent, quiet and group learning areas, as well as four group discussion rooms.
IT facilities
We have five computer suites at the Tooting campus, housing 260 workstations. Three of these suites are accessible 24 hours a day. It’s easy to find a free space with our handy real-time computer locator. We also have 75 self-service laptops available. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole campus, including all accommodation. You can use these resources to access your course materials, discussion boards and feedback through Canvas.
Student support
We offer a full range of academic support and student services across all institutes, departments and faculties, to all members of the University, some of which are listed below. We take pride in offering a transformative educational experience underpinned by cooperation and collaboration between staff and students.
Student Life Centre
Our Student Centre team can help you with every aspect of student life: finances, accommodation, exams and assessment, academic procedures, admissions, international queries, disability and wellbeing, even finding your way around – whatever it takes to make you feel at home. Each course has a designated contact within the student centre to link to and your personal tutor can signpost you to relevant support, including a confidential counselling service.
Personal academic tutor
On arrival, you will be allocated a personal tutor – someone with whom you can have regular contact, who you ask questions and discuss problems with, both academic and personal. The main purpose of a personal tutor is to monitor your progress, pick up and help you resolve any problems, whether academic or welfare related. Even if they don’t have the answer, they will point you in the right direction towards the best people to deal with specific problems.
Induction programme
The main goal of induction is to make sure that you are set up for your studies and start to feel part of the University and our community. As well as course-specific activities, we run an online ‘Get Started’ module which provides lots of information about social and enrichment activities, student safety, wellbeing and learning support, including study skills, a library induction and guidance about our careers and employability services. Additional information is provided for international students.
Academic staff support
You’ll have access to your lecturers, with opportunity to ask questions in live lecture and consolidation sessions or by arrangement via email.
Structure
Course content
Biomedical science is the starting point for the medical breakthroughs that help people live longer, healthier lives. If you’re driven by the desire to use science to advance knowledge and understanding, studying this course could set you on a path towards making important contributions to scientific discoveries.
Years 1 and 2
The Biomedical Science MSci degree is a four-year modular programme of study, in which the first two years of the study are identical to the Biomedical Science BSc programme at City St George’s. In Years 1 and 2 of the course, all modules are compulsory (core).
In Year 1, we start with some learning activities designed to help you adjust to university-style learning. You will build a solid knowledge and understanding of cellular, molecular and medical sciences, including normal functioning of the human body, as well as disease processes and the therapies used to treat diseases. You will gain insight and learn to appreciate the various scientific methods used in biomedical research and diagnostic laboratories. We will consider how these techniques are applicable to advancing scientific knowledge, disease diagnosis and therapy.
Year 3
In Year 3, you will undertake compulsory modules to the value of 45 credits, which are designed to prepare you to plan, design, conduct and evaluate scientific research. For example, Experimental Design and Data Analysis will provide you with necessary analytical skills, the Structured Research Project allows you to develop a mini-research project and Biomedical Research Techniques for Drug Development provides knowledge of the process of drug discovery.
You then have flexibility to tailor your programme of study to your scientific interests by choosing from specialist pathways in:
- cell and molecular biology
- genomics
- immunity and infection, or
- physiology and pharmacology.
Year 4
In Year 4, the Research Project running the full academic year, provides an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in a project aligned to your scientific interests to generate detailed high-quality research outputs. Dissertation projects will involve the design, implementation, analysis and interpretation of substantial research data, primarily lab generated, although some projects may involve meta-analyses and bioinformatics.
You will work in a vibrant research environment alongside teams of researchers from all levels, from established principal investigators to postgraduate students. Your project work is further supported by a compulsory 15-credit research proposal module which strengthens your understanding of research culture and values and enables you take ownership of your project by generating a project-specific research proposal. There is the opportunity to broaden your horizons by undertaking your research project in labs abroad, at our partner Universities.
Professional Training Year (Optional)
You have the opportunity to apply to undertake a Professional Training Year (PTY) between Years 2 and 3 of the course, on a placement in industry, the NHS or international placements, via both paid and unpaid options. Home students are still eligible for student loan to cover their Professional Training but the amount depends on whether the placement is paid or unpaid. Eligibility for a student loan depends upon specific individual financial circumstances. However, generally if the placement is paid, then a tuition fees loan & a reduced maintenance loan dependent on the amount that you get paid may be available. If your placement is unpaid then a tuition fees loan & full maintenance loan may be available.
The aim of the placement year is to increase your employability by giving you professional experience and improving your skills in the environment of a relevant industry. You’ll build a portfolio of professional and scientific skills and competencies, to the standard expected by professional organisations. You will gain experience of working as part of a team, demonstrating professional behaviour, developing your transferrable skills and performing a range of biomedical techniques and research.
On placement, you are supervised by experienced scientists, clinicians and trained mentors. You receive the support as needed with at least two visits during placement, either by your personal tutor or another member of academic staff involved in running the placement. Potential placements could include:
- Novartis
- GSK
- Pfizer
- MSD
- UK Health Security Agency (formally PHE)
- St George’s NHS Trust
- Clinical Research Facility & Imaging Resource Facility at City St George’s
- Institute of Cancer Research
- The Francis Crick Institute
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
- Division of Psychiatry at Imperial College
- King’s College London Department of Women and Children’s Health
This list is subject to change and should be used as a guide of where students may be able to go. The Turing scheme enables placements world-wide. We have already placed students at the University of Barcelona, the University of Granada in Spain and Radboud University, the Netherlands.
Students who successfully complete their PTY assessments (such as tutor visits and reports) will be awarded a PTY certificate with a classification e.g. Merit/Distinction. The PTY award title shall be appended to the candidate’s electronic transcript.
Watch a video introduction to the placement year.
Year 1
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Personal and Academic Skills 1 and 2 (10 credits)
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Fundamentals of the Living Cell (30 credits)
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Fundamentals in Physiology and Pharmacology (15 credits)
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Fundamentals of Pathology (10 credits)
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Physiology 1 (40 credits)
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Anatomy 1 (15 credits)
Year 2
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Personal and Academic Skills 3 and 4 (25 credits)
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Genomics (10 credits)
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Physiology 2 (20 credits)
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Anatomy 2 (15 credits)
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Microbiology and Immunology (25 credits)
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Molecular Basis of Disease (25 credits)
Year 3
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Experimental Design and Data Analysis (15 credits)
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Structured Research Project (15 credits)
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Biomedical Research Techniques for Drug Development (15 credits)
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Immunity and Infection Pathway (75 credits)
Comprising: Medical Microbiology, Immunity and Infection, and Neglected Tropical Diseases.
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Cell and Molecular Biology Pathway (75 credits)
Comprising: Biology of Cancer, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Genes and Gene Expression in Eukaryotic Cells.
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Genomics Pathway (75 credits)
Comprising: Clinical Application of Genomics in Rare Diseases and Cancer, Human Medical Genetics, and Personalised Medicine.
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Physiology and Pharmacology Pathway (75 credits)
Comprising: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases, Science of Reproduction, and Pharmacology and Physiology of Drugs of Abuse.
Year 4
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Research Proposal (15 credits)
Supporting module on understanding how to undertake research.
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Research Project (105 credits)
Hands-on authentic research project investigating real-world biomedical science research questions.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is delivered through a variety of research-informed methods, including: lectures and laboratory practical sessions; tutorials using scenario-based learning; self-directed learning; and computer-assisted learning. There is a gradual change in emphasis during your degree, from large group lectures, delivering core knowledge and concepts, to smaller lecture groups for specialist knowledge and interactive discussion.
You’ll progress from basic competence in laboratory skills in Year 1 to the use of more sophisticated techniques in Years 2, 3 and 4. By the time you graduate, you will gain the ability to confidently plan and execute experiments and interpret the data obtained from them and draw relevant conclusions. You’ll also gain a range of valuable interpersonal, academic and transferrable skills including written and oral communications, data handling, group working, problem-solving and time-management.
One of the many benefits of studying at City St George’s is the opportunity to study socialise and network with students on other healthcare-related courses including medical, clinical pharmacology, physiotherapy, diagnostic and therapeutic radiography. You’ll be welcomed into our community by students and staff and supported in your studies and professional and personal development.
Assessment
Your learning is assessed using a variety of methods, depending on the module. These include: practical assessments and in-course assessments, such as:
- poster and oral presentations
- laboratory reports
- essays
- objective structured practical examinations
- data analysis assignments.
Examinations include single-best answer questions and short and long answer questions. A major element of the programme is the final year dissertation.
Fees and funding
Fees for year 2026 / 27
Home/UK
£9,790
International
£22,760
Our undergraduate fees are set in line with the maximum permitted by the UK Government and may increase in subsequent years in line with government policy.
Funding options
Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.
- There are no fee waivers available for this course
- Means tested support is available for 2026/27 entry.
Additional expenses
Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses.
Career
Biomedical Science students have a wide variety of career options available to them because of the numerous transferable skills that they develop. From critical thinking to communications, complex problem-solving, project management, creativity, digital skills, and independent and team-working these skills are highly valued by employers in many different employment sectors.
We support students to explore career paths and plan their future career by offering activities and resources designed to prepare them for their next steps. On the Biomedical Science programme, careers and employability are embedded within the curriculum. This includes small group teaching careers tutorials, workshops and opportunities to network with alumni and recruiters.
The Biomedical Science MSci degree will provide enhanced experience and skills transferable to employment or further study, equipping you to apply for PhD training and research posts in biomedical science industry. The research skills you will gain alongside the advanced science knowledge and understanding will also be advantageous for many broader science-based career paths both within the UK and overseas.
A selection of other science-based sectors you may choose to pursue include:
- clinical diagnostic laboratory work
- clinical trials coordination
- forensic science
- roles in biomedical science industry such as:
- product marketing
- product licencing
- governance
- sales and technology transfer
- scientific publishing
- medical writing
- grant funding bodies
- scientific civil service
- policy-making,
- intellectual property/law
- teaching.
Whilst studying on the programme, Biomedical Science MSci students can attend City St George’s annual careers fair, summer careers festival, drop-in careers clinics or book individual appointments with the university’s Careers Consultants. Additional support is available from the Academic lead for Biomedical Science Employability and there are numerous resources embedded within the curriculum to help you explore your options, plan your experience and develop your professional goals.
You can gain valuable work experience with opportunities to undertake short, or long-term placements. These include summer internships in academia and industry. There is also an opportunity to improve your employability further by undertaking a Professional Training Year (PTY) between your second and third years of study; City St George’s has excellent industry links and previous students have worked in commercial organisations and on academic placements in both the UK and Europe.
How to apply
This course is currently open for 2026 entry applications. The UCAS application deadline is 14 January 2026.
You will be able to apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.
You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for this course at City St George's, University of London is C60.
Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.
UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City St George's is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.
There is an application fee for some students when submitting their application form, please see the UCAS website for more details.
Application Checklist
You must provide:
- full details of your Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) qualifications with grades
- full details of your Level 3 (A Level or equivalent) qualifications with achieved/predicted grades
- a personal statement (more information about this document is available on the UCAS website).
- an academic reference from your current or most recent institutions with predicted grades.
When to apply
Applications for entry in September 2026 should have arrived at UCAS by 14 January 2026. Those that arrive after this will be considered only at City St George's discretion.
Deferred Entry
We will consider applications from applicants who wish to defer entry by a year, provided you plan to use the time constructively. If you are offered a place on the course and subsequently decide to defer, you must inform us by 1 June of the year of application.
Contacting UCAS
Website: www.ucas.com
Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ
Telephone:
- from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
- from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468
For callers with hearing difficulties:
- from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
- from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.
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Student testimonials
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I urge anyone thinking about studying biomedical science at City St George’s to just do it! You won’t find a course like it in the UK. On top of being highly scientific, it also offers a great deal of clinical knowledge that makes you a stand-out candidate for any job or course you apply for.
