Biomedical Informatics (based in China) BSc (Hons) Level: Undergraduate Subject: Integrative Biomedical Sciences (based in China) Year of entry: 2026 Key facts Award BSc (Hons) Duration of study 4 years Delivery Full-time Start date September 2026 School Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences College College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme Biomedical informatics is the study of managing, analysing, and interpreting biomedical data.Areas of focus for researchers in this field include:studying and managing informationstudying behaviour related to decisionsdeveloping computational methods and using them to generate knowledgeDuring this programme, you will work with computers and code to build tools to manage and analyse biological and biomedical data.As a graduate, your understanding of biomedical informatics will enable you to contribute to, and guide, public debate on issues that affect healthcare for present and future generations.Study in ChinaThis programme is based entirely in Haining, China. It is taught in English by staff from:Zhejiang UniversityThe University of EdinburghThe Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute).On completing this programme, you will be awarded a BSc Biomedical Informatics qualification from both Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh.ZJU-UoE InstituteThe ZJU-UoE Institute is a collaboration between Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh in the field of biomedical sciences and biomedical informatics.Together, we have established an international research institute at the International Campus of Zhejiang University in Haining, China. This builds on the strengths of our institutions and aims to foster collaboration in teaching and research.This is an exciting collaboration. It is the first of its kind for both universities, making this a unique opportunity for students in this field. 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 innovative collaborative programme, taught in English at our Zhejiang International Campus, bringing together the best educational training from the UK and China to provide the knowledge, skills, and personal and professional development required by future leaders in biomedical science.You will be supported by academic staff from Zhejiang and Edinburgh who provide an outstanding research-led, student-focused learning experience that fosters individual intellectual development.You will have the opportunity to undertake projects with leading biomedical researchers from China and the UK, addressing major global biomedical challenges. Entry requirements Chinese nationals Applications and admissions for Chinese nationals will be through the usual Chinese national university admission process. International applicants (non-Chinese passport holders) These are the requirements that you must have (or be predicted to attain) to be considered for entry. Each year there is a specific number of places available and where the number of applicants exceeds the number of places, then a selection process based on academic achievement, personal statement and references will be used. Meeting the entry requirement does not guarantee a place on the programme. SQA Highers AABB to include Biology and Chemistry at B, achievement by end of S5 preferred. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Higher Mathematics or Physics and Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry are recommended. National 5s: Mathematics at B and English at C. A levels AAB, in one year, to include Biology and Chemistry at B. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6 and English at C or 4. IB 34 points with 655 at HL to include Biology and Chemistry, one at 5 and one at 6. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics: Analysis and approaches or Mathematics: Applications and interpretation at 5. English language requirements You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. School qualifications we accept We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher:SQA National 5 English at CGCSE English at C or 4Level 2 Certificate English at CInternational Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements.Other qualifications we acceptWe also accept other qualifications from around the world.English language qualifications and tests we accept English language tests we accept If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. Other English language tests we accept We also accept other types of English language tests. English language qualifications and tests we accept How old your English language qualifications can be Qualifications no more than two years oldQualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of this programme, regardless of your nationality:IELTSTOEFLTrinity ISEOxford ELLTQualifications no more than three and a half years oldAll other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of this programme.If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.Check the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries Fees and funding Additional costs You will be responsible for the cost of your accommodation and living expenses on the International Campus of Zhejiang University in Haining, China. 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 Featured funding Programme-specific funding You can find information about fees and scholarships for this programme on the Zhejiang University - University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE) Institute website. ZJU-UoE Institute - fees and scholarships Programme details What you will study This programme is an exciting exploration of the application of biomedical informatics in human health and disease. Year 1 Year 1 provides an introduction to biomedical informatics. You will develop key knowledge and skills in biomedical sciences, cell biology, and molecular biology. You will also study key topics in mathematics, statistics, and chemistry.You will take the following compulsory courses:Integrative Biomedical Sciences 1Introduction to Biomedical Informatics 1Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology 1ChemistryAdvanced MathematicsYour Year 1 courses include opportunities to develop graduate attributes and autonomous learning skills, including:information gatheringacademic writingreflective practicemanaging and documenting computational projects Find Year 1 courses Year 2 In Year 2, the focus is on building foundational knowledge in biomedical informatics and data science. You will also study aspects of physiology, genetics, genomics, and proteomics.You will take the following compulsory courses:Integrated Function of Body Systems 2Biomedical Genetics 2Genomics and Proteomics 2Applied Data Science 2Database and Software Technology 2 Find Year 2 courses Year 3 Year 3 is an exciting exploration of the application of biomedical informatics to biomedical sciences. You will further your development by learning from experiments in key areas.You will explore computational and systems biology approaches, and build an understanding of human disease through biomedical informatics approaches.You will take the following compulsory courses:Molecular Biology and Epigenetics 3Integrative Biomedical Sciences 3Biomedical Informatics 3Computational Modelling and Machine Learning 3You will also take one optional course from the following:Principles of Neuroscience 3Endocrine and Reproductive Biology 3Infection 3 Find Year 3 courses Year 4 In Year 4, you will focus on key compulsory courses and your chosen option courses in biomedical informatics. This will include a project where you will apply biomedical informatics approaches to a research question.You will take the following compulsory courses in Year 4:Integrative Biomedical Sciences 4Biomedical Informatics Project PreviewBiomedical Informatics Research ProjectFuture Perspectives 4You will also take two optional courses from the following:Biomedical Image AnalysisBrain, Cognition and Artificial IntelligenceInflammation and Inflammatory DiseasesCancer BiologyStem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Find Year 4 courses Teaching and assessment Teaching Your individual development in Biomedical Informatics is fostered through:lectures and tutorials that teach biomedical informatics knowledge and its underlying scientific principlesproblem-based learning that encourages an analytical and interpretative approach to problem-solvingpractical skills in building tools to manage and analyse biological and biomedical dataresearch in practice that builds an understanding of the research methodologies governing the quantification, analysis and interpretation of scientific data Assessment We use in-course assessments and exams in all years.Assessment can take the form of:individual or group projectspresentationswritten submissions such as essaystimed coding challengesdegree examinationsYour degree classification for your University of Edinburgh degree will be based on your performance in Years 3 and 4.Your degree classification for your Zhejiang University degree will be based on your performance over the four years of the programme. 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.Support for your studies Where you will study Study location Your studies will take place in state-of-the-art facilities at the Zhejiang University International Campus. Academic facilities Situated in Haining, China, between Hangzhou and Shanghai, the campus has students from more than 50 countries.It features:newly built and well-equipped spaces for teaching and learningnewly-built, well-equipped research and teaching laboratorieson-site accommodationan extensive library and sporting facilities Career paths and further study Career paths Graduates with a Biomedical Informatics dual award from the University of Edinburgh and Zhejiang University will have attributes that are valued in all biomedical disciplines.Skills that will have a positive influence on your career development include:the ability to think critically about the scientific basis of bioinformatics and biomedical sciences in relation to clinical practiceresearch training, with an emphasis on analytical and scientific skillsCareers for graduates include: laboratory researchdisease diagnosisthe pharmaceutical industryscientific publishingThe skills and knowledge you will gain on this programme also equip you for employment in the non-science sector, including:teachingmarketingaccountancypolicy 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 After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:a masters degreea postgraduate diploma or certificatea PhDa second undergraduate degreeFind out about options for further study Applying How to apply Information on how to apply is on the degree programme website. Integrative Biomedical Informatics (based in China) website Contact and events
