Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Biomedical Sciences Year of entry: 2027 (show 2026 entry) Key facts UCAS Code C190 Award BSc (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Multiple campuses Start date September 2027 School Edinburgh Medical School College College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Study abroad Available Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme The Biomedical Sciences degree programme focuses on understanding how the human body works, both when it is healthy and when it is affected by disease. It explores the body at different levels, from molecules and cells to organs and systems.Biomedical scientists take the knowledge they have gained from research into how diseases develop and apply this to help discover new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent them. Their research forms the foundation for medical discoveries and advances in healthcare. As a biomedical sciences student, you will gain hands-on experience in research and laboratory work and will build strong scientific, experimental and problem-solving skills. As a biomedical scientist, you could contribute to improving human health and the treatment of illness around the world.Our Biomedical Sciences degree is part of our suite of Biomedical Sciences degrees. In all programmes, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of biomedical sciences in Years 1 and 2 and then choose from a suite of more specialist courses in Year 3. The flexibility of the programmes means you can also choose to specialise in Year 4 of your degree. Specialisms you can choose from include: anatomy and developmentreproductive biologypharmacologyneuroscienceinfectious diseases How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 4 years.A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.How long it takes to complete our degree programmes Programme benefits You will join an interdisciplinary programme that provides the knowledge, skills and personal and professional development appropriate for globally competitive graduates of our key disciplines.You will have the opportunity to undertake projects with our leading biomedical researchers addressing major global biomedical challenges.In Year 3 you will have the option to study abroad at one of our partner universities. I found the Biomedical Sciences degree offered me lots of things, not just learning the theoretical aspects, but also gave students opportunities to go abroad and apply for internships. I got a summer internship in my third year funded by the school, where I learnt lots of new skills like laboratory skills and research skills. I managed to take the research project to my final year dissertation, for which I was very grateful for the opportunity. Nadiah Ikhlas BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences, graduated 2024 Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.Select the qualification you are studying or studied. Where you are studying or where you studied United KingdomAfghanistanAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBhutanBoliviaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanYemenZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed Qualification - Select a qualification -SQA Highers: standard requirementsSQA Highers: widening access requirementsA levels: standard requirementsA levels: widening access requirementsIB: standard requirementsIB: widening access requirementsOther UK qualificationsMature applicants (including adult returners)International qualifications by country or region United Kingdom, Fees and funding Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences. Additional costs Costs for an optional year abroadIf you study abroad in Year 3 through the University's study exchange programme, you will need to pay related costs. These include:tuition feesaccommodation and living costscountry-specific expenses like travel, visas and insuranceYou can use our budget calculator to help estimate your costs.Find out more about costs for studying abroadYou can also use a tool like Numbeo to compare the cost of living abroad to Edinburgh or your home town or city.Numbeo If you are away on exchange or placement, you may receive a reduction in your tuition fees for the year. This depends on:the type of placement you are onhow long you are awayAs an indication, you can see the reductions for students studying away in 2026-27. These are reviewed annually and are subject to change.Study away fees for 2026-27 Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that a single student can potentially spend £1,023 to £2,043 each month on living costs, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee a breakdown of living costs Scholarships and funding Funding information You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section. Funding Programme details What you will study Our Biomedical Sciences programmes share a common structure in Years 1 and 2. These foundation years give you a strong grounding in the knowledge, skills, and scientific understanding needed across all specialist areas.From Year 3 onwards, you’ll focus more deeply on your chosen subject area. You’ll also have the flexibility to change your specialism at the end of Years 2 and 3, allowing you to tailor your degree as your interests develop. Year 1 Your main area of study in Year 1 is the importance of biomedical sciences to medicine and health. You will learn how biomedical science discoveries and breakthroughs have led to medical and scientific advancement.You will take three compulsory courses covering:biomedical sciencesmedical biologymolecular and cellular biologyYou will also choose courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical options. We expect you to take at least one course in biological chemistry. Find courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year) Year 2 In Year 2, your studies will focus on the foundational understanding of biomedical sciences. This includes essential learning in biomedical disciplines.You will take three compulsory courses:Biomedical Sciences 2Microorganisms, Infection & Immunity 2Cells to Organisms 2You will also choose courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical options. Find courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year) Year 3 This year, your courses will consider the concept of developing knowledge from experiments.You will study one compulsory course: Biomedical Sciences 3You will also take a combination of option courses that broaden your understanding of your chosen subject.Additionally, in this year, you will develop key graduate attributes, including analytical and communication skills. I have really enjoyed the variety of assessments throughout the programme. There is a good balance between coursework and exams, and the different types of assessments over the past two years have helped me develop my skills in many areas. It has been good to use feedback from my essays to improve and to see my progress over time. Danika Meswani 3rd Year student Find courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year) Year 4 In your final year, your studies will centre on the idea of research in practice.You will study two compulsory courses:Biomedical SciencesCritical Analysis Skills in Biomedical SciencesYou will also choose two option courses that cover cutting-edge topics in more depth.With individual support from a supervisor, you will complete a major research project. This can involve:original, laboratory-based researchdata/literature analysis-based research Find courses The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry. You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme. Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year) Study abroad You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.Your study abroad options Teaching and assessment Teaching We use a blend of learning and teaching approaches.In-person teaching includes: lecturestutorialsdiscussion groupsworkshopslaboratory workThis is blended with digital teaching using our virtual learning environment. Here, you will find electronic resources, including:video recordingslaboratory simulationsdiscussion boardssupplementary reading and reference materialThe importance of research underpins all years of study on the programme. You will be taught by academic staff who are actively involved in internationally recognised research.The balance between teacher-directed learning and independent personal study is an important element of student learning.In Years 3 and 4, the emphasis moves towards self-directed study and discussion-based learning to enhance your learning experience. Assessment We use in-course assessment and exams in all years.Your degree classification will be based on your performance in Years 3 and 4. Sample timetable A typical Year 1/2 timetable:Monday9am to 9:50am lecture10am to 10:50am practical11am to 11:50am practical1pm to 1:50pm lecture3pm to 3:50pm tutorialTuesday9am to 9:50am lecture2pm to 2:50pm lecture3pm to 3:50pm tutorialWednesday9am to 9:50am lectureThursday10am to 10:50am practical11am to 11:50am practical12pm to 12:50pm lecture2pm to 2:50pm practical3pm to 3:50pm practical4pm to 4:50pm practicalFriday9am to 9:50am lecture1pm to 1:50pm lecture2pm to 2:50pm lecture Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. Academic support is primarily provided through your course teams, and more general academic guidance is available through the academic cohort lead.Support for your studies Our academic staff Teaching is delivered by academic staff who provide an outstanding research-led learning experience that fosters individual intellectual development. Where you will study Study location Most of your teaching will take place in the University's Central Area and at the King's Buildings campus.In your final year, some teaching will take place in: The Chancellor's Building at BioQuarterThe Western General Hospital Academic facilities All campus sites offer state-of-the-art lecture theatres and laboratory facilities.Study materials are available online. You will have full access to the University's libraries and computer laboratories. Career paths and further study Career paths A biomedical sciences degree gives you more than specialist knowledge. Our programmes are designed to develop analytical, problem-solving and communication skills that will benefit you in a range of sectors. Graduate options may include:postgraduate study, such as a masters or PhDgraduate professional accredited programmes in medicine, veterinary medicine or teachingscientific or laboratory-based roles, such as a biomedical research scientistemployment in the health service, universities or the biotech industrynon-lab roles such as scientific writing, science communication or other areas of healthcare managementgraduate entry careers in management or the public sectorpostgraduate teacher training for secondary science education or primary educationnon-scientific roles such as marketing, accountancy or policy research Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.With the Careers Service, you can:access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study Many graduates choose to go on to further study before entering successful academic or industry-based research careers. Graduate profiles Lina El Rasheed Degree: BSc Biomedical Sciences Year of graduation: 2022 Current work: PhD student at the University of Oslo The degree opens so many doors and gives you a great mix of scientific knowledge and transferable skills. The flexibility of the degree has also allowed me to explore a variety of career paths, from research and clinical work to international affairs. Read more about Lina's career journey since graduation Tamara Tubbeh Degree: BSc Biomedical Sciences Year of graduation: 2024 Current work: Research Assistant, Cancer Research Lab The teaching was excellent. The friendly and multicultural environment made learning even more enjoyable, and the staff were incredibly supportive. Discover how a Biomedical Sciences degree helped Tamara secure her Research Ass… Applying How to apply You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.Guidance on applying through UCAS Apply to one Biomedical Sciences degreeApply for only one Biomedical Sciences degree. If you apply for multiple degrees within the Biomedical Sciences suite, only one application will be taken forward for consideration with the remaining applications being processed as unsuccessful. You will have the opportunity to switch between degrees in later years, provided the required courses have been passed. What you need to apply As part of your application, you will need:your academic qualificationsa personal statementevidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)a reference How we select If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.How we select applicants When to apply 2027 entry UCAS deadline: 13 January 2027 (6:00pm GMT)This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 13 January 2027, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.Search degrees that are open on the UCAS websiteKey application dates and deadlines After you apply After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at university Applying as an international student As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS. Find out more about applying through UCAS Visas and immigration If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme. Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. Applying for a visa AgentsAn education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact. Find contact details for an education agent Life at Edinburgh What our students say Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.University accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSports clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities you can use, including: sport and active wellbeing facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include:a student counselling servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events Entry requirements source data Source data of all entry requirements for this programme
