BSc Biomedical Sciences with Foundation

Study BSc Biomedical Sciences with Foundation and learn about the inner workings of the human body and take part in world-class research through this strongly practical course.

Our BSc Biomedical Sciences with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

Our BSc Biomedical Sciences course was developed in partnership with practising NHS laboratory scientists. All of our lecturers are involved in research and you will be taught by experts in their fields. In the National Student Survey 2023, 100% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things.

You will learn about the systems that underpin all living organisms from a cellular, tissue, organ and whole body perspective. From this basis, you will study the diseases that affect each area and the mechanisms that the body uses to combat them. The flexible nature of the course will then allow you to pick specialist modules that match your interests. You will also have the chance to carry out a year-long industrial placement or a paid vacation studentship in order to gain valuable work and research experience.

The course has a strong practical basis, and you will learn key cellular, molecular and biochemical techniques, including live cell microscopy, and DNA and protein technology. During your final year will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working in a lab on a biomedical research project. Past projects have investigated coronary heart disease, gene therapy for muscular dystrophies, and the role of cell movement in the spread of cancer.

Our new £60m Health and Life Sciences building will open in 2020. As the new home of the School of Biological Sciences, it will offer state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building will also house the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement between your third and final year. Student in previous years have worked at Diamond Light Source, Public Health England, GSK, and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.

You will have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

Additionally, you can choose to take a work placement module.

Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.

Overview

Study BSc Biomedical Sciences with Foundation and learn about the inner workings of the human body and take part in world-class research through this strongly practical course.

Our BSc Biomedical Sciences with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

Placement

Additionally, you can choose to take a work placement module.

Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB – for applicants without Biology and a second science
CCC – for applicants with Biology and a second science

Acceptable science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate

30 – for applicants without higher level Biology and a second science
24 – for applicants with Biology and a second science, both at higher level

If you would like to receive personalised advice on your eligibility for our Foundation courses, please ask us a question.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM

GCSE

Grade 4 (C) in Science if not studying sciences at A level

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Further requirements

If you are an international student planning to apply for one of our degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course or pre-sessional course if you do not have qualifications that are equivalent to British A levels or if you need to improve your English language level.

Compulsory modules

Foundation Biology

Explore the life cycle of cells and the chemical reactions that give them energy and allow them to replicate. You’ll also study the biology of the human body and about natural selection and genetics. Through practical classes, you’ll familiarise yourself with laboratory work, as well as handling and interpreting data.

Chemistry

Discover the chemical principles that provide the foundations for many scientific disciplines. Learn how to predict the properties of molecules from their structures and gain an understanding of how and why reactions happen.

Mathematics Foundation

Gain the basic mathematical knowledge and skills required for a successful transition to degrees related to Chemical and Biological Sciences.

Foundation in Academic Skills

Develop academic skills essential for success both on the Foundation Year and as an undergraduate.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life

Learn about the structure and organisation of cells, with a focus on the common features found in all life. You’ll also discover how the differences between cells are essential for creating the diversity of life on the planet.

Fundamentals of Microbiology

Gain a foundation in microbiology, covering the biology, diversity, structure, genetics, ecology, and evolution of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses. You’ll discover their impact on environment and society, and how they cause infections or develop antimicrobial resistance, while exploring different methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Anatomy and Physiology

Explore how organs work to support life. You will be introduced to the basics of the anatomy of some of the major systems of the human body, and to the physiological processes taking part within and between them.

Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Gain an understanding of key biochemical concepts such as enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, metabolic regulation, and pathological metabolism.

Human Pathology

Gain solid theoretical and practical knowledge and essential skills to understand the role of pathology in human disease diagnosis in biomedical research or healthcare.

Optional modules

Fundamentals of Evolution

Learn about the mechanisms of evolution, the diverse approaches for the study of genetic and phenotypic evolution, and discover how evolutionary perspective is fundamental and improves understanding of diverse areas of modern biology.

Physical Essentials for Medicine

Acquire fundamental knowledge about diagnosing and treating human health issues, which will serve as a foundation for more specialised clinical modules in the future.

Compulsory modules

Advanced Studies in Cellular and Molecular Biology

Expand your understanding of the processes underlying cellular function, and explore at the molecular level the mechanisms by which cells work and how these mechanisms are regulated.

Research and Professional Skills

Through a combination of lectures, workshops, academic tutor-led sessions and group activities, you’ll develop and refine your ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, effectively communicate ideas, handle data and apply appropriate quantitative approaches.

Haematology and Immunology

Discover the fundamental principles and concepts that underpin haematology and immunology. You’ll explore topics such as the production, structure and function of blood cells, the techniques used within hospital haematology laboratories to investigate and diagnose disease, the main forms of immunopathology, and how vaccines are produced.

Infectious Diseases

Explore the infectious diseases afflicting the various systems of the human body, and the pathogens that cause them. You’ll gain a deep understanding of their transmission, dissemination, pathogenesis, detection, and the development of therapies and prevention methods.

Medical Genetics

Understand how genetic defects at the molecular level impact on pathophysiology and influence disease risk, progression and severity. You’ll study aetiology of major medical diseases, with a focus on both mendelian and complex polygenic disorders.

Optional modules

Applied Biochemistry: From Disease to Diagnostics

Build on what you’ve learned in previous modules and explore in depth the biochemistry of cellular pathways in both healthy and disease states. You’ll explore how changes in these pathways can dictate physiological outcomes and contribute to disease development and progression.

Principles of Physical Interventions in Medicine

Understand the anatomy and physiology of the eye, the ear, the brain and the wide range of instrumentation functions to diagnose common conditions.

Molecular Microbiology

Learn about microbial genetics and evolution, including the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer. You’ll also learn how bacteria protect the integrity of their genomes against DNA damage, discover they sense and respond to environmental stress, and how they regulate their cell cycle and control the replication of their genomes.

Integrated Anatomy and Physiology

Learn about the basics of the anatomy of some of the major systems of the human body and the physiological processes taking part within and between them.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Compulsory modules

Research Project

Gain hands-on experience in independent research, applying, and expanding, what you’ve learned while working with an academic supervisor on experiments, data analysis, and science communication.

Venoms and Poisons: From Pharmacology to Therapeutics

Learn about the evolution, ecology, biochemistry, mechanisms, and toxicology principles of venomous creatures, poisonous plants, and fungi. You’ll explore how venoms and poisons are used for medicinal purposes, and develop a greater understanding of the principles of pharmacology.

Optional modules

Pathogens

Discover how bacteria and viruses can cause diseases by interacting with host organisms, and study real-life examples of how different factors affect pathogenesis, impacting on human health, agriculture, and protein disorders. You’ll also cover opportunistic pathogens and the molecular basis of emerging infectious diseases with epidemic potential.

Protein Structure and Function

Discover the basics of protein structure and its impact on life science research.

Cancer and Cell Communication

Explore the connection between cellular signalling and cancer development and learn how lab and computer modelling studies have enhanced our grasp of receptors and signal transduction's role in cell function.

Evolution in Health and Disease

Discover how some of the most important medical problems of our time have been shaped by our evolutionary history. You’ll study relevant evolutionary processes across the animal kingdom and the Tree of Life, and you’ll explore the implications of evolutionary biology to human health and disease.

Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy for Cancer

Study various imaging techniques like X-rays, ultrasound, CT, PET, and SPECT. You'll also discover radiotherapy planning, equipment operation, and radiopharmaceutical production.

Forensics

Learn the core principles of biology applied to criminology, and see how modern science helps solve complex crimes. You’ll cover topics such as forensic pathology, anthropology, entomology, and acarology.

Applied Microbiology

Develop your understanding of the medical, agricultural, environmental, and industrial applications of microbes and microbial biotechnology, and how advances in this field can help tackle global challenges.

Integrated Biochemistry

Discover the diverse uses of biochemistry in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. and explore its role in diagnosing diseases, microbiology, and microbial processes.

Epidemiology of Zoonotic Diseases

Delve into zoonotic diseases, their hosts, symptoms, and effects on human health and the economy, and learn about disease control, co-evolution, and the use of epidemiological modelling for effective management.

Neuroscience

Gain an introduction to neuroscience, focusing on the structure and function of the central nervous system. You’ll learn healthy brain function and how it changes in disease and neurodivergent conditions, covering different topics such as learning, memory, and neuroanatomy.

Cardiovascular Biology

Learn the latest insights into the causes of heart attacks and strokes, and how drugs, can be used to treat them. You’ll also discover how cardiovascular disease is affected by our genetic makeup and how it can be lessened by changes to lifestyle and diet.

Innovation and Product Development

Explore case studies of real product innovations and concepts and learn about the innovation process from science to product development, focusing on medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics.

Gut Microbiota and Health

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £27,650

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) following an independent and rigorous assessment.

Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and establish a profile of key skills that bioscience employers can recognise in accredited graduates, including technical and transferable skills.

Royal Society of Biology Accredited Degree logo

You could work in pharmaceutical or academic laboratories, scientific publishing or clinical trials. You may also decide to study for higher research degrees or commence a medical, dentistry or veterinary degree course.

Overall, 93.2% of graduates from the School of Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21, includes all School of Biological Sciences responders).

BSc Biomedical Sciences with Foundation

Placement

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?