Biomedical Sciences
UCAS code C133
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
This programme provides a broad-based education in biosciences related to medicine and medical research, and offers great flexibility of module choice so that you can tailor elements of your degree to your own particular interests.
Introduction
The Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBiol) is a four-year programme, in which students first follow the three-year BSc in Biomedical Sciences and then continue into a fourth year, subject to performance.
In the first three years, you’ll study a broad range of modules including from across the spectrum of the Biomedical Sciences disciplines, which include Biochemistry, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Physiology, and Pharmacology. You will also have the opportunity to specialise and carry out your own research project.
The fourth (Master’s) year aims at developing enhanced research and personal skills for students seeking a high-level career in research (e. g. studying for a PhD or working in industry) or those seeking to enhance their qualification. Students will join a research team to undertake a significant research project. Students can also apply for a six-week summer research internship in the UK or overseas or apply to spend time working in industry or in other enterprises in the final year.
What you'll learn
- Develop practical and theoretical knowledge of the core biomedical sciences disciplines covering elements of both health and disease.
- Develop a range of practical laboratory and research skills commonly used in the Biomedical Sciences.
- Enhance your understanding of contemporary issues, ethical challenges, and professionalism in the sphere of the Biomedical Sciences.
- Develop the skills required to evaluate your own performance and working standards.
- Analyse, evaluate, and place your work in the context of the wider scientific community.
- Become literate in finding, interpreting, evaluating and managing information
- Communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences
- Work independently and collaboratively
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Use lab equipment correctly and safely
- Plan, initiate, and carry out projects
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
In this first year, you will commence your transition from learner to student. You’ll start by gaining an understanding of core concepts of biology as well as the fundamental principles of immunity, infection, and therapy. You will also study how organisms develop and function, and learn about ecology and the global environment. You will develop practical skills, and you will discover how to utilise quantitative skills and study techniques. This year allows you to start to see how the Biosciences fit together, and importantly where the Biomedical Sciences fits in this awesome jigsaw.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Biology core concepts, principles, and fundamentals BIOS101
- Development, function, immunity, infection, and therapeutics BIOS102
- Introductory Practical Skills for Life Sciences BIOS103
- From Individuals to Ecosystem BIOS104
- Study and Communication Skills Tutorials BIOS105
- Applied Practical Research Skills for Life Sciences BIOS106
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
In your second year you’ll expand your range of knowledge building those essential research skills, experimental design and analysis together with professional skills preparing you for a career within or outside the area of biomedical sciences. You will study in the disciplines of Physiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, and Genetics. In addition, you will start to tailor your degree with optional modules enabling you to follow your interest in Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Microbiology & Infection, or Pharmacology.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Genetics, Microbiology & Infection BIOS201
- Intermediary Practical Research Skills for Life Sciences BIOS203
- The Cellular Basis of Health & Disease BIOS209
- Chemistry for Life Sciences BIOS215
- Cellular and Systems Physiology BIOS214
- Academic & professional skills tutorials BIOS205
OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)
- Biomolecular / Biochemistry / Pharmacology Practical BIOS204
- Microbiology, Infection & Disease BIOS206
OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)
- Metabolism BIOS212
- Drug Discovery & Development BIOS216
- Molecular Microbiology & Therapeutics BIOS218
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
Year three will provide an unparalleled opportunity for you to learn at the cutting edge of biomedical sciences research and be taught by world-leading academics in the subjects of biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, physiology, and pharmacology. You will also have the opportunity to take a physical or virtual placement. Central to this year is the capstone research project where you will plan and execute your own research, analyse, and critically evaluate data and communicate your research findings in your chosen specialisation.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Research Project BIOS301
- Introduction to the World of Work BIOS302
- Research Methods BIOS303
- Applied Biomedical Sciences BIOS310
- How do cells make decisions? BIOS331
OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE TWO)
- Molecular, Clinical & Translational Cancer BIOS307
- Molecular Systems Biology BIOS309
- Translational Pharmacology BIOS313
- Genomics and Evolution of Microbes BIOS317
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year four
The fourth year of study offers great flexibility – students may spend it entirely on campus at Liverpool, but more commonly they take up opportunities to broaden their experiences, for example a six-week research internship in the UK (in hospitals, industry or research institutes) or abroad (in our partner universities in Thailand or China). Others may elect to spend the entire fourth year on placement, in similar host institutions. Students will take core modules in research methods and statistics or informatics, together with a 60-credit research project. Students may replace the internship with other modules that cover advanced topics of global importance.
COMPULSORY MODULES
- Research Project LIFE700
- Research Methods and Application LIFE731
OPTIONAL MODULES (CHOOSE ONE)
- Advanced Statistics for Biological Research LIFE707
- Informatics for Life Sciences LIFE721
- Informatics for Life Sciences (OFF CAMPUS) LIFE621
OPTIONAL MODULES (Students choose either the research internship, or two of the remaining modules)
- Research Internship LIFE701
- Coding for Life Sciences LIFE733
- Cellular Biotechnology and Biological Imaging LIFE749
- Emerging Infections and Pandemic LIFE751
- Frontiers in Cancer Research LIFE724
- Cancer Clinical Trials LIFE726
- Immunology LIFE728
- Diagnostics Therapeutics and Vaccines LIFE732
- Computational Biology LIFE752
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Data Analysis LIFE754
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology LIFE756
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIOLOGICAL DATA SKILLS (LIFE707) | 15 |
| RESEARCH METHODS AND APPLICATIONS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (LIFE731) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
You will experience a range of learning environments during your studies at Liverpool. These will include student-centred activities as well as lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals, dissection classes, fieldwork, data handling sessions and computer workshops. Some of these activities will be performed individually, such as personal research projects, and others in small tutorial or project groups, in addition to formal lectures and workshops. You will have research staff as well as your own academic adviser for individual tuition on our acclaimed tutorial programme.
How you're assessed
As well as factual knowledge and understanding, biologists need practical and organisational skills, and an ability to work both alone and with other people. We record development of these abilities through continuous assessment during each semester and by final examination
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBB (including Biology: B and Chemistry: B) |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDD Applied Science pathway only. Distinctions in each of Principles and Applications of Science I & II required. |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus BB in Biology and Chemistry at A level. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
Grade B, plus BB in Biology and Chemistry at A level. |
| Access |
30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 level 3 credits at Merit in a relevant Access Diploma. 15 credits in Biology and Chemistry at Distinction required. |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Semester abroad
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Study as a bachelor's degree
This course is also available as a three year BSc (Hons) programme.
Your experience
Explore where you'll study
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place for postgraduate study
- Programmes taught by internationally-renowned scientists and clinicians
- Research-connected education covering the full life science spectrum from biochemistry to zoology
- Access to world-class facilities
- Provide specialist training with taught and research components
- Options for intercalating students
- Vibrant postgraduate community.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Inside Biosciences. A conversation with Tanya Horne and Professor Jay Hinton
Careers and employability
As a Biosciences graduate from the University of Liverpool, you will have an excellent set of career options ahead of you.
Typical types of roles/routes our graduates have gone on include:
- Postgraduate study: (MBiolSci, MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD)
- Public sector – research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, forensic science and the Environment Agency.
- Commercial sectors – pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, water and agriculture industries.
- Journalists and information/liaison officers – by developments in molecular biology and biotechnology.
- Teaching profession by taking a postgraduate qualification (PGCE).
- Routes to postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.
Recent employers and sectors:
- Pharmaceutical sector: Eli-Lilly, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, NHS, Red X Pharma;
- Tourism/Conservation sector: Blue Planet Aquarium, Chester Zoo, RSPCA;
- Government/Legal sector: Crown Prosecution Service, The Environment Agency, Public Health England, Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Security and International Development;
- Media/Entertainment Sector: BBC;
- Corporate and Utilities sector: United Utilities, Vodafone, Unilever.