Medical Sciences BSc (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Medical Sciences Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code B100 Award BSc (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Study location Multiple campuses Start date September 2026 School Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences College College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Study abroad Available Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme Medical Sciences could be for you if you plan to enter a career in healthcare or a healthcare-related profession.This programme examines the science behind the clinical practice of medicine. It addresses key principles relating to human health and disease, such as:diagnosistreatmentpreventioneducationThe programme develops three important themes: the contribution of different disciplines to advances in the understanding and application of healthcare-related sciencethe role of basic research in advancing healthcare practicesocial and ethical issues surrounding research and healthcare practiceYou will investigate the science and develop the skills you need to contribute to advances in medicine. 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 a multidisciplinary programme that provides the knowledge, skills, and personal and professional development appropriate for a career in a healthcare or healthcare-related profession, medical research, or graduate entry to medicine.You will have the opportunity to undertake projects with our leading medical and biomedical researchers addressing major global challenges in healthcare. Entry requirements Find your entry requirementsUse the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.Select the country 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 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 United Kingdom, Fees and funding Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences. 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 a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, 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 BSc (Hons) Medical Sciences programme delivers the core material in biomedical sciences, medical sociology and anthropology that underpins and directs advances in 21st-century medical practice.In addition, your option course choices offer you the flexibility to explore the broader biological, physicochemical, clinical and social sciences that underlie contemporary healthcare.Our programme develops healthcare-related themes. It has a particular emphasis on current medical research and its significance for advances in medical/clinical practice.You will have the opportunity to complete research within groups recognised for delivering excellent and, in some areas, world-leading research.Plus, our Medical Sciences programme allows you to develop skills in academic research and scientific enquiry. You will gain an awareness and understanding of the ongoing research needed to advance clinical practice.Alongside a depth of knowledge in medical sciences, you will also develop a level of understanding and a breadth of skills that will allow you to contribute to, and guide, public debate on issues that affect healthcare for present and future generations. Year 1 You will take three compulsory courses covering: medical sciencesmedical biologymolecular and cellular biologyThe compulsory Medical Sciences course defines this programme. It introduces the breadth of integrated disciplines that contribute to our understanding of health and disease.You will also choose courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical options. You should take at least one course in biological chemistry. Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 2 You will expand your knowledge in basic biomedical sciences and develop an integrated approach to understanding the science behind healthcare practice.You will take three compulsory courses: Anatomy and Pathology 2Biomedical Sciences 2Microorganisms, Infection and Immunity 2Anatomy and Pathology 2 is a programme-specific course that develops key healthcare themes. It introduces an integrated approach to the structure, function and pathology of the human body at different levels of organisation.You will take additional courses from biomedical, biological or other disciplines across the University. Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 3 You will develop expert specialised knowledge in medical sciences. This will allow you to understand current research and discuss its significance and implications.In Year 3, you will take three compulsory courses and three option courses.You will take the following three compulsory courses:Health, Illness and Society 3Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3Clinical Immunology and Haematology 3AHealth, Illness and Society 3 helps you to understand and critically reflect on the relationships between health and society. It builds on perspectives from: the social sciencespublic healthmedical ethicsClinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3 explores important disorders linked with metabolic syndrome with an emphasis on the utility of analysing biochemical markers to define and monitor disease progression or resolution. Clinical Immunology and Haematology 3A demonstrates how the immune system:developsprevents infectious diseasesinteracts with other body systems to limit or cause tissue damage Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Year 4 You will have opportunities to: engage in researchdiscuss and analyse high-profile issuesreflect on, and re-evaluate, the themes addressed in earlier yearsYou will study the compulsory course Medical Sciences 4 and two optional courses that analyse high-profile, contemporary issues in medical sciences.With individual support from a supervisor, you will complete a major research project. This can involve:laboratory-based researchdata/literature analysis-based researchqualitative research Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year) Study abroad We have an exchange agreement with the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Up to two students may study at the Karolinska Institute during Year 3 of this programme. 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. There 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. 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.Academic support and guidance 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 You will be prepared for careers in a range of areas, including:laboratory sciencesthe pharmaceutical industryhealthcare or medical teachingmedical writinghealthcare managementclinical trials managementThis programme is not a qualification in medical practice. However, you will gain the skills and knowledge required for a strong application to graduate medical programmes. 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 The strong research element of this programme is the ideal preparation for anyone considering a career in postgraduate research.With further study and training, graduates can also enter careers in:veterinary medicinedentistrynursingpharmacyphysiotherapy 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 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 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (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 14 January 2026, 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 Agents An 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 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 to daily life, including: sport and exercise 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
