Blue and red bacteria molecules.

Biomedical Sciences MBiolSci

4-5 years

Explore the science underpinning human health and disease. This flexible, research-led degree builds strong foundations in molecular, cellular and physiological sciences, with hands-on laboratory training and options reflecting leading biomedical research.

Biomedical Sciences MBiolSci, 4-5 years

Explore the science underpinning human health and disease. This flexible, research-led degree builds strong foundations in molecular, cellular and physiological sciences, with hands-on laboratory training and options reflecting leading biomedical research.

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UCAS code C140

Institute code L34

Taught by Biological Sciences

Course description

Course description

Subject to approval

Biomedical science sits at the heart of modern medicine, providing the evidence and innovation that underpin advances in healthcare, diagnosis and treatment. Our Biomedical Sciences degrees explore the biological basis of human health and disease, from molecules and cells to organs and whole-body systems, preparing you to understand, and help solve, some of the most pressing medical challenges of our time. On the MBiolSci, you will hone your research and laboratory skills and extend your specialised BSc programme into a fourth year of Masters level study.

This degree is designed for students who want a broad, flexible and research-led education. You will develop a strong foundation in core biomedical disciplines including molecular and cellular biology, immunology, genetics, microbiology, physiology and pharmacology, before shaping your degree through a choice of advanced options that reflect contemporary biomedical research. This structure allows you to tailor your studies to your interests as they develop.

What sets this programme apart is its strong emphasis on research skills and authentic scientific enquiry from the very start. Practical laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, alongside training in experimental design, data analysis and critical evaluation of scientific literature. In your final year, you will complete an extended research project, tackling a real biomedical question and gaining first-hand experience of how new knowledge is generated.

A distinctive feature of this programme is the opportunity to experience teaching and undertake research projects offered by colleagues in the School of Medical Sciences, giving you insight into the interface between laboratory-based science and patient-focused research.

Projects offered by academic clinicians and healthcare researchers may involve understanding disease mechanisms, evaluating emerging therapies, or analysing clinically relevant data. This exposure helps you appreciate how fundamental science translates into improved diagnosis and treatment, and provides valuable experience for students considering careers in medical research, clinical sciences or graduate-entry medicine.

Studying Biomedical Sciences at Leicester also means learning within a vibrant research environment. Teaching is informed by the latest discoveries, and modules in later years reflect the research strengths of the College of Life Sciences across areas such as infection and immunity, genetics, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and therapeutic innovation.

Graduates are well equipped for roles in laboratory science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, as well as further study and professional training. If you are curious about how the science of discovery drives improvements in human health, and you want a degree that combines flexibility, depth and real-world relevance, Biomedical Sciences is a compelling and future-focused choice.

The first three years of this course are identical to the Biomedical Sciences BSc including the option to spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3. Your fourth year then lets you focus on refining your research and lab skills - while also putting into practice your employability skills - by conducting a research project.

Please note that this degree is not accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). We have chosen not to seek accreditation in order to offer you maximum flexibility in your choice of modules. Our programme includes embedded careers advice, providing guidance on a wide range of career options. This includes input from colleagues working as scientists within the NHS, who will offer insight into different routes of entry into biomedical and healthcare science careers. We will be applying for accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology for this course to match our other degree programmes.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A-levels: BBB, including at least two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. We may consider two AS-levels in place of one A-level. General Studies not accepted.
  • EPQ with A-levels: BBC + EPQ grade B. A-level subjects to include two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. General Studies not accepted.
  • Level 3 Core Maths with A-levels: BBC + Level 3 Core Maths grade B (if Maths not taken as a full A or AS level). A-level subjects to include two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology. General Studies not accepted.
  • GCSE: GCSE: At least Grade 4/C in both English Language and Maths (if not held at A2/AS-level).
  • Access to HE Diploma (Science): Pass diploma with 45 credits at level three, 24 of which must be at distinction.
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points to include grade 5 in at least two relevant HL science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in SL Maths or 3 at HL and grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language and Maths at GCSE.
  • BTEC Nationals: BTEC Nationals: Pass Applied Science Diploma with DDD plus five GCSEs at B/5 or above including two relevant sciences.
  • T Levels: Distinction in Science (with an Occupational Specialism in Laboratory technician).

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in 2027

For the 2027/28 academic year, the Home UK tuition fee is expected to be £10,050.

Further increases are anticipated to be implemented automatically through government legislation; therefore, it is likely that your tuition fees will rise for each subsequent year of your studies.

Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2027

Tuition fees for 2027/28 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2026/27 were: £25,100 per year.

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.

Additional costs

There are optional field course costs associated with this course. In academic year 2025/26, the costs were approximately:

  • Up to £250 for the 2nd Year module BS2033 Immunology and Eukaryotic Microbiology with Science Enterprise Trip.

Field course locations may vary and are subject to availability.

It is anticipated that there may be an increase in field course costs in line with increasing costs for transport and accommodation. Where a field course involves air travel you are responsible for the cost of your travel to and from the airport in the UK.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

Our degrees prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities.

You will get excellent training in analytical thinking, data-analysis, problem-solving, the communication of complex concepts, and in how to apply scientific methodology to projects.

This unique transferable skills set means that University of Leicester Biological Sciences graduates are highly desirable to employers.

Bespoke careers support

The School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences offers a wide range of bespoke careers support tailored to your year or study to help you on your employability journey from day one.

This includes:

  • Timetabled “careers hours” given by school staff with specialist technical knowledge, employers (such as AstraZeneca, GSK, the NHS, and MERCK) and the Careers and Employability Team. Sessions run twice a month and are designed to give you practical advice, support and insider knowledge to get you into the career, or further study pathway, that you want.
  • Our 'careers after Biological and Biomedical Sciences' series of lectures features Leicester graduates giving insights and tips based on their career experiences with the exact degree that you will gain.
  • In the summer vacation between years 2 and 3, support to find research placements in laboratories, giving you the chance to develop your scientific skills.
  • Support in finding and obtaining “year out” opportunities such as a Year in Industry (for example current students are based in research institutes, the NHS, and the pharmaceutical industry) or to Study Abroad (for example in Europe, Japan, and the United States).
  • As a student in the School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, you are welcome to attend seminars in any department, presented by national and international experts in the biosciences.
  • A tailored weekly bulletin of all biosciences-relevant careers opportunities.
  • Named points of contact in the University’s Careers and Employability Team with specific biosciences expertise.

Potential graduate job destinations include laboratory and research scientists working within the NHS, academia, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries; regulatory affairs, marketing and management within the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries; NHS graduate management programme; clinical trials; medical/scientific writing and publishing; graduate entry to medicine, dentistry and physician associate programmes.

Careers and Employability Service

Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We’re here to support your journey towards a successful future, including securing a great graduate job. With a lifetime offer of support (even after graduation) our specialist careers advisers and mentors will guide you every step of the way. From crafting standout CVs and acing interviews to accessing volunteering opportunities and placements, we’re here to help you achieve your professional goals.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Integrated AI

Integrated AI

At Leicester, you will study with full access to Microsoft 365 Copilot through our collaboration with global tech leader, Microsoft. As one of the first Microsoft Frontier Universities in the UK, we are helping to shape how AI is used in higher education and the workplace. 

You will build practical, transferable skills that employers value. From analysing information and solving problems to communicating ideas and working collaboratively, you will learn to apply your knowledge in a digital world. 

When you graduate, you will leave with more than a degree. You will have the skills and confidence to work with the technologies shaping your future.

100 hours work-related learning

100 hours work-related learning

Your future career starts right here, whilst you study. On all of our undergraduate courses you are guaranteed 100 hours of real, employer‑informed work‑related learning, built directly into your course.

You will gain a range of skills and grow in confidence through a mixture of activities, aligned closely to your subject. This could range from placements, clinics, laboratory work, field work and “real-world” projects such as live briefs, consultancy challenges, simulations, and virtual internships (discipline aligned and interdisciplinary).

By the time you graduate you'll be able to articulate and demonstrate to future employers you have the skills they are looking for as well as the understanding of your subject.

Course structure

Year 1

Year 1

Core modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2

Experience Year (optional)

Experience Year (optional)

If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions, working in an industrial placement or even exploring your own business venture.

These options are competitive, and your success will be based on your academic performance, motivation and the strength of your application. You will receive guidance and support throughout the process to help you secure the opportunity that best aligns with your career aspirations.

Year Abroad

We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.

Please note

  • A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
  • You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
  • Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
  • Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.

Year in Industry

Choosing the ‘Year in Industry’ pathway means you’ll spend a year immersed in a real-world work environment. During this placement year, you'll join a company where you can put your academic knowledge into practice, build your professional network, and enhance your employability.

This is a competitive programme and you it will be your responsibility to secure a placement, but throughout your journey you will be supported by the Careers and Employability Service. This includes access to digital tools, skills workshops, and one-to-one support drop-ins, among many other offers designed to help you achieve your goal.

During your placement, you'll be supported by a dedicated industrial placement tutor who will provide guidance and conduct regular check-ins at your host company, ensuring you get the most out of your experience.

A Year in Industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. You may also be eligible for financial support through Student Finance. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

Hear from Esther as she discusses her Year in Industry experience at the medical research charity, LifeArc

Year in Research

Choosing the 'Year in Research' pathway means you’ll spend a year immersed in a real-world research environment. During this placement year, you'll join a research team where you can apply your academic knowledge to practical research projects, develop your specialised skills, and build your professional network.

This is a competitive programme and it will be your responsibility to secure a research placement, but throughout your journey you will be supported by the Careers and Employability Service. This includes access to digital tools, skills workshops, and one-to-one support drop-ins, among many other offers designed to help you achieve your goal.

During your placement, you'll be supported by a dedicated research placement tutor who will provide guidance and conduct regular check-ins at your host institution, ensuring you get the most out of your experience.

A Year in Research still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. You may also be eligible for financial support through Student Finance. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

Year in Enterprise

Choosing the 'Year in Enterprise' pathway means you’ll spend a year developing your business idea in a real-world, self-employed setting – typically between your second and third years at Leicester. During this placement year, you'll have the chance to turn your entrepreneurial vision into reality while gaining invaluable experience in launching and managing your venture.

It will be your responsibility to secure a Year in Enterprise placement through our competitive University-managed application and selection process. However, throughout your first and second years, you’ll be fully supported by the Careers and Employability Service. This support includes skills workshops, one-to-one support drop-ins, and a range of enterprise initiatives to help you prepare and develop a viable business idea.

Once on placement, you’ll have access to a nurturing entrepreneurial community and support programme to aid building your venture. You’ll need to be based within commuting distance of the University of Leicester, working both remotely and from designated co-working spaces and University facilities.

A Year in Enterprise still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 3

Year 3

Core module

Project modules

Choose one pair of option modules from:

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

And choose two option modules from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year

Final Year

In your final year, you will conduct a research project.

Core modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

Job prospects are excellent: 95% of our Biological/Medical Sciences students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)

With a high staff to student ratio, we ensure that every student gets the support and encouragement needed to achieve their best work.

Our standard of teaching and support is reflected in our NSS 2024 results. We scored 90% and above in subjects aligned to Biological Sciences for questions regarding teaching, approachability of staff and introducing new subjects (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data). View the NSS questions all students were asked for individual themes.

Our history of genetic achievements include the invention of DNA fingerprinting and the genetic identification of the remains of King Richard III. More recently, we have brand-new cryo-EM facilities and have leading research into antibiotic resistance.

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Biomedical Science Qualification MBiolSci Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code C140 Availability How to apply
Course Biomedical Science with a Year Abroad Qualification MBiolSci Duration 5 years full-time UCAS Code C140 Availability How to apply
Course Biomedical Science with a Year in Industry, Research or Enterprise Qualification MBiolSci Duration 5 years full-time UCAS Code C140 Availability How to apply
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