Biomedical Science has been a success story for Britain. Benefit from our high quality teaching in the School of Biomedical Sciences based in the heart of London with its wide choice of modules, and develop a Biomedical Science degree programme that reflects your scientific strengths and interests.
KEY BENEFITS
- Europe's largest centre for medical and professional healthcare education.
- Only university to host six Medical Research Council centres.
- Teaching by internationally renowned scientists and researchers.
- Contemporary approach based on our history of pioneering discoveries – including our part in finding the structure of DNA.
- Career opportunities through international exchanges and working in industry.
- One of the UK's best graduate employment rates.
UCAS code
BC99
Programme type
Single honours
Duration
Three years
Location
Guy's Campus
Year of entry 2014
Offered by
School of Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical Sciences
Closing date
Please refer to the
UCAS website for application deadline dates, or contact the relevant Admissions Office for further advice
Fees & funding
For information on fees and funding for undergraduate programmes at King's go to
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ug/funding/ CONTACTS
Address
King’s College London
Hodgkin Building
Guy’s Campus
London SE1 1UL
Email
Tel
020 7848 6511
Fax
020 7848 6510
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
The Biomedical Science BSc interdisciplinary degree is the most popular of our programmes, with an entry of approximately 230 students per year. It is unique in offering you a flexible plan in which to develop your second and third years at university as there are no compulsory modules in these years. The programme aims to ensure that you benefit from high quality teaching from our wide variety of individual modules and allows you to construct a degree programme which reflects your scientific strengths and interests.
Modern scientific research has progressed beyond traditional subject boundaries. The Biomedical Science BSc is designed to reflect this change by providing an undergraduate degree that provides expertise in a range of biomedical disciplines and develops your academic, practical, and personal skills, with opportunities to participate in the excitement of modern research.
The advantage of the Biomedical Science BSc is its flexibility and choice. After studying the first-year common curriculum which introduces you to a range of disciplines at the core of Biomedical Science, you are free to design your own honours degree programme in years two and three based on the diverse modules available and with advice from course leaders and personal tutors.
Students can take either a broad-based Biomedical Science degree or specialise (eg in neuroscience, developmental science, genetics or immunology).
Alternatively, you can choose to move into a more prescriptive degree such as: Biochemistry, Physiology, Pharmacology, Anatomy, and Development & Human Biology with a mixture of core and optional modules.
We are also committed to the idea that a university degree should allow you opportunities to broaden your interests and expertise so we encourage students to take modules in other subjects such as modern languages in their second or third year. We also offer our own module in the Social Impact of the Biosciences with an ethical and philosophical base.
First yearAll students take the core curriculum modules which cover biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, cell and tissue structure and function, and statistics and issues related to the practice of science, including ethics and communication.
Second and third years
There are no compulsory modules in these years; all those offered by the School of Biomedical Sciences (except Pharmacy modules) are open to you. In addition, courses from other parts of the College, such as modern languages, can be selected. A full laboratory-based experimental project is possible in the final year, which is especially useful for those considering postgraduate research career options. A library-based research project and/or an extended class lab practical, are offered as alternative options.
Second year exchange programmes
The adaptable nature of the Biomedical Science degree has allowed us to offer selected students the chance of studying the entire second year abroad at universities in the USA, Singapore, Australia or at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
ABOUT THE Biomedical Sciences
CAREERS
The biosciences, particularly in relation to the development of medical science, have been a success story for Britain in recent years. A wide range of employment exists for bioscientists: in fundamental research, in the drug industries, in research management and teaching. All these jobs require people with a proven ability of advanced study and a flexible approach to the biomedical sciences.
By the time you reach the final year, most of your study will be at the level of handling original research findings and you will have the opportunity to undertake a research study of your own. External review bodies and employers, including secondary and tertiary education, have repeatedly noted the need for well-rounded science graduates. A flexible bioscience degree provides exactly for these needs and students are well-placed for entry to medicine, dentistry, teaching or other careers such as science administration or science journalism.
Recent graduates have found employment as….
• Stockbroker, BGL Partners
• Laboratory Assistant, ITH Pharma
• Management Consultant, Ernst & Young
• Researcher in Biomedicine, Children’s hospital
• Strategy Analyst, JP Morgan Chase
• Research Assistant, Imperial College London
TEACHING STYLE
Teaching is delivered by a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical laboratory work. Tutorials are teaching sessions between an academic tutor and small groups of students where there is an opportunity to discuss work in detail and where subjects for coursework are agreed. Student seminars and workshops involving larger groups, poster presentations (like those used at formal scientific meetings) and personal tutor sessions supplement tutorials.
STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMMES & ASSESSMENT
The advantage of this programme is its flexibility and choice. After the Common Year One, which introduces you to the core disciplines in biomedical science, you are free to design your own honours degree programme based on the modules available and with advice from course leaders and personal tutors.
Alternatively, you can specialise by choosing to follow a more prescriptive degree such as biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, human science or neuroscience with a mixture of core and optional modules. We are also committed to the idea that a university degree should allow you opportunities to broaden your interests and expertise so we encourage you to take modules in other subjects during your second year and to follow other interests such as modern languages in your second or third year. We also offer our own module in the Social Impact of the Biosciences. We consider your choice of modules to be an essential part of your academic development. As you become more knowledgeable, with more understanding of career opportunities and needs, you will find your educational needs developing and changing. The Biomedical Science BSc at King’s is a degree of choice: a choice that you will initiate and can be proud of as your programme develops.
Assessment is usually by written examination at the end of each academic year, with increasing weight given to later years. First-year students have mid-sessional tests in most first-semester modules in January. Coursework also forms an important component of assessment and includes essays, posters, seminars, data exercises, laboratory reports and literature reviews.
LOCATION
Our modern, well-funded laboratories cater for the full range of programmes on offer. As a large multi-faculty university, we have excellent social and sporting facilities, but a key attraction is our central London location. Our three campuses along the River Thames are located in the cultural and social heart of the capital and offer our students the opportunity to explore art galleries, theatres, museums, markets, restaurants and cafés.
SPECIAL NOTES
Institute of Biomedical Science Accreditation: We have elected not to seek accreditation with the Institute of Biomedical Science. Degrees accredited by the Institute are directed towards clinical laboratory practice through a highly prescriptive curriculum. This does not suit the organisation and aims of the Biomedical Science BSc at King’s: we offer a wide range of choice centred on the experimental basis of biomedical science.
Year in industry/research
You may be offered the chance to take an additional extramural year outside King’s between your second and final year, working in an industrial or research establishment in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. This greatly expands both your work and research experience, and often improves your choice of job opportunities after graduation.
Currently, students study the following core modules. If there are optional modules available the current choices are also shown. King's reviews its optional modules on a regular basis, in order to continue to offer innovative and exciting programmes and this list is therefore subject to change. Please check here for updates, or contact the School/department for further advice.
YEAR 1
In common with all of the BSc programmes in the School of Biomedical Sciences, students take compulsory modules in the biomedical science disciplines.
YEAR 1 CORE
Modules cover biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, physiology, pharmacology, cell and tissue structure and function, statistics and issues related to the practice of science, including ethics and communication.
YEAR 2
A minimum of 90 and a maximum of 120 credits should be taken in the second year from Level 5 modules. Up to 30 credits can be made up of modules offered from outside the School.
Students take either a broad-based Biomedical Science degree or specialise eg in neuroscience, developmental science, molecular genetics, immunology.
Some students convert their degree at the end of year one or year two to a BSc degree in Anatomy, Development & Human Biology; Physiology; Biochemistry; Pharmacology or Neuroscience.
YEAR 2 OPTIONS
Cell Biology
Drug Discovery & Development
Drugs & Disease A & B
Essentials of Embryology
Gene Cloning & Expression
Human Genetics
Human Nutrition
Immune System in Health & Disease
Medical Microbiology
Metabolism
Molecular Medicine
Neuroscience
Neuroscience & the Mind
Physiological Control; Exercise & Environment
Reproduction & Endocrinology
Physiology & Pharmacology of the Central Nervous System
Protein Structure & Function
Psychology
Report on a Physiological Topic
Structural Basis of Human Function
Social Impact of the Biosciences
Tissue Pathology
A modern language
YEAR 3
As in year two, there is a wide range of optional modules to choose from, up to 120 credits in value. At least 90 credits must be taken in Level 6 modules. Some of these modules require Level 5 prerequisites taken in year two.
Year three can also include up to 30 credits from modules offered outside the School.
An optional research project module worth a maximum of 45 credits can be taken in the final year in preparation for postgraduate study.
YEAR 3 OPTIONS
Advanced Molecular Genetics
Behavioural Science
Biology of Ageing
Biology of Cancer
Biochemistry & Genetics of Human Disease
Bioinformatics & Sequence Analysis
Biomedical Diagnostics
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Control
Cellular Basis of Drug Dependence
Cellular Basis of Disease
Cellular & Systems Neuroscience
Cell & Molecular Pharmacology
Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Cell Physiology
Developmental Neurobiology
Endocrinology of Diabetes
Experimental Physiology
Free Radicals & Human Disease
Genes, Development & the Evolution of Vertebrates
Genes, Genetic Disease & Gene Therapy
Infection & Disease in the Modern World
Immunology of Human Disease
Metals in Health and Disease
Mechanisms of Development
Medical & Cancer Genetics
Molecular Immunology
Molecular Genetics of Model Organisms
Muscle
Neurogenetics & Genetics of Complex Disorders
Neuroendocrinology
Neurosciences Laboratory Research Project
Neuroscience Library Project
Nutrition & Genetics
Pharmacology of Neurological & Psychiatric Disorders
Pharmacology of Inflammation
Pharmacology Research or Library Project
Physiology Research Project
Physiology Library Project
Principles of Neurobiological Research
Project Design in Physiology/Pharmacology
Protein Structure & Design
Reproductive Physiology
Social Impact of the Biosciences Project
Toxicology
Vascular Physiology
Viruses & Disease
A modern language
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Australia
Tertiary Entrance Ranking
96+ ATAR, or an OP of band 3 for Queensland including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Austria
Reifezeugnis (Matura)
Reifezeugnis with 1 including 1 in Chemistry and Biology
Belgium
Certificat D
Certificat D’Enseignement Secondaire Superieur/Diplma van Secundair Onderwijs with 8/10 or 17/20 including 8 or 17 in Chemistry and Biology
Brazil
Brazil
Leaving CertifHigh School icate (Certificado de Ensino Médio) with 8 OR B OR Muito Bom PLUS at least one year of Bacharel/Licenciado at a Brazilian University with a GPA of at least 8.0 OR the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Bulgaria
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with the majority of subject marks of 5.5 including 5.5 in Chemistry and Biology
Canada
Secondary School Certificate/Diploma
High School Certificate/Diploma with 85% OR Ontario University Preparatory Course with 85% at five grade 12 4U subjects including Biology and Chemistry. The sixth subject may be at 4U or 4U/C level. OR the Quebec CEGEP Cote R with an overall R score of 31.
Chile
Chile
Licencia de Educación Media with 6 PLUS at least one year of the Licenciatura at a Chilean university with a mark of 5 OR the Kings College London International Foundation Programme OR 3 A-levels with grades of AAB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
China
Gao Kao (University Entrance Examination)
University Entrance Examination including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or one year of undergraduate study at a Chinese university with at least 80%.
Cyprus
Apolytirion
Apolytirion (School Leaving Certificate) with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology plus at least an additional foundation/Access year
Czech Republic
Maturita
Maturita with 1 including 1 in Chemistry and Biology
Denmark
Studentereksamen or Hjere Forberedelseseksamen
Studentereksamen or Højere Forberedelseseksamen with 10 including 10 in Chemistry and Biology
Estonia
Gmnaasiumi lputunnistus (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with majority marks of 5, (including 5 in Chemistry and Biology) and an attestation of success in the state entry examinations (Riigieksamitunnistus)
Finland
Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen (National Matriculation)
Ylioppilastutkinto with 6 including 6 in Chemistry and Biology
France
Baccalaureat (including the option internationale baccalaureat)
The Baccalaureat with 13/20 overall and 13 in Chemistry and Biology
Germany
Abitur
Abitur with 1.5 overall including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Ghana
School Leaving Certificate
the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 international Cambridge-board A levels at AAB including high marks in Chemistry and one other science
Greece
Apolytirion
Apolytirion with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Three elective subjects at minimum Levels 5, 5, 5 to include Chemistry and Biology, plus Level 4 in each of the core subjects.
Hungary
Erettsegi
Erettsegi with 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
India
School Leaving Certificate
School Leaving Certificate with 85% overall OR School Leaving Certificate with 75% including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or year of undergraduate study at an Indian univeristy.
Iran
School Leaving Certificate
Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) OR the National Entrance Exam (Kunkur) with 16 OR 3 Cambridge A levels at AAB. All including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Ireland
Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level unless otherwise stated)
A1 A1 A1 A2 B1 B1 including Chemistry and Biology at A grade.
Italy
Esame di Stato
Esame di Stato with 90 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Japan
School Leaving Certificate
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho) PLUS 3 Cambridge Board International A-levels at ABB OR an Associate degree or Diploma from a Junior College (Jun-Gakushi) with a GPA of 3.3 or B+ or 4 OR a foundation year. Including Chemistry and Biology
Latvia
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu (Certificate of General Secondary Education)
Atestats par visparejo videjo izglitibu with 8 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Latvian university
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Brandos Atestatas with 90 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Lithuanian university
Luxembourg
Diplome de Fin D
Diplome de Fin D’Etudes Secondaires with Tres bien including Tres bien in Chemistry and Biology
Malta
Matriculation Certificate - Advanced level
Matriculation Certificate with AAB including Chemistry and Biology
Mexico
Mexico
The Bachillerato with a mark of 8 PLUS the King’s College London International Foundation Programme OR at least one year of the Licenciado study with an overall average mark of at least 8/10 OR A-levels with grades of ABB. Including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Moldova
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 9 including 9 in Chemistry and Biology
Netherlands
Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)
VWO with 7.5 including 7.5 in Chemistry and Biology
New Zealand
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 3 (NCEA)
the NCEA level 3 with E in the majority of standards/modules in four subjects, including Excellent in Chemistry and Biology
Nigeria
School Leaving Certificate
The Senior School Certificate (SSC/SSCE) OR the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC/WASSCE) PLUS 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB, including Chemistry and Biology
Norway
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Vitnemal-videregaende opplaering grade 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
Pakistan
High School Certificate (HSSC)
High School Certificate with A including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Pakistani university
Poland
Matura
Matura with 80% in extended level subjects including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundário
Diploma de Ensino Secundário with 18 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology
Romania
School Leaving Certificate
Diploma de Bacalaureat with 8 including 8 in Chemistry and Biology
Russia
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education)
Attest o (Polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii with an average of 4.5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Russian university
Saudi Arabia
School Leaving Certificate
College of Technology Diploma OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma OR Junior Health College Diploma OR Undergraduate Diploma with 85% OR 3 Cambridge International A levels at AAB. All including Chemistry and Biology
Singapore
Singapore A Level
AAB in three content-based H2 subjects. (To include a minimum of two from Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics) Knowledge and Inquiry is not considered as part of the offer.
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuska/Maturita
Vysvedcenie Maturitnej Skuske/Maturita with 2 including 2 in Chemistry and Biology
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Maturitetno Spricevalo with 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
South Africa
South African Senior Certificate/National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement
The National Senior Certificate with Matriculation endorsement with AAABB including high marks in Chemistry and one other science
Spain
Titulo de Bachiller
Titulo de Bachiller with 8 overall including 8 in Chemistry and Biology
Sweden
Fullständigt Slutbetyg (School Leaving Certificate)
Fullstandigt Slutbeytg with MVG including MVG in Chemistry and Biology
Switzerland
Federal Maturity Certificate
Federal Maturity Certificate with an overall mark of 5 including 5 in Chemistry and Biology
Turkey
Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma)
Lise Diplomasi with an overall mark of 4 including high marks in Chemistry and Biology with at least a foundation/Access year or a year of undergraduate study at a Turkish university
United Kingdom
A levels
AAB
Compulsory subjects
AAB to include a minimum of two from (Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics) of which at least one must be Chemistry or Biology and, if only one, you must have AS grade A in the other subject.
General Studies and Critical Thinking - College policy
Please note that AS/A level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted by King's as one of your A or AS levels. However, if offered the grade achieved may be taken into account when considering whether or not to accept a candidate who has just fallen short of the conditions of their offer
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Science (or similar) Diploma including study of Chemistry and Biology at Level 3 with 33 Level 3 credits from units awarded at Distinction, with the remaining credits at Merit. Supplementary information and achievement e.g marks for certain credits/subjects may be required depending on course content. Preferred other subjects are Maths and Physics.
Cambridge Pre-U
3 Pre-U Principal Subjects with grades of D3 D3 M2 including Chemistry and Biology
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
Considered on an individual basis
Scottish Highers & Advanced Highers
AAABB at Higher and AB at Advanced Higher. Advanced Highers should include at least two subjects from Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics of which at least one must be Chemistry or Biology (and if only one, you must have Higher grade A in the other subject. )
International Baccalaureate
35 points and 665 HL to include a minimum of two from (HL - Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics) of which at least one must be Chemistry or Biology and, if only one, you must have 6 SL in the other subject.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall including 8 - 8.5 in Biology & Chemistry
USA
Advanced Placement Tests and/or SAT/ACT (SAT/ACT acceptable only where stipulated)
Three AP subjects with 554 including Chemistry and Biology
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Aptitude testing
No test required
NON ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Scholastic activities
We hope to attract applicants who participate in any scholastic activity, e.g. general reading, debating, theological interests etc.
Community activities
We hope to attract applicants who have participated in school, college or community life, making the most of the opportunities available to them and also demonstrated some experience of society beyond their immediate environment.
General activities/interests
We hope to attract applicants who have varied extra-curricular interests and enjoy active participation in areas such as sport, music and the arts in general. Any participation is valued and any achievement in extra-curricula activities will be particularly recognised. King’s aspires to attract applicants who will continue with their personal interests and contribute to the vitality of the College community.
Interviewing
Are interviews offered? Yes.
Are all applicants interviewed? No. Only applicants who may be borderline or from a non-traditional educational background may be called for interview.
Are all those made an offer interviewed? No. The majority of admissions decisions are made on the basis of information provided on the UCAS form.
What form does it take? Interviews last between 20 and 30 minutes and are Chaired by the Admissions Tutor and one other member of academic staff.
What is considered at interview? Your personal statement and academic performance to date will be explored.
If you are interested in coming to King’s, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and apply online via the UCAS website (click on 'apply'). If you are applying through a school or college, you will need to obtain a 'buzzword' from the centre you are applying through. Alternatively, you can apply as an individual, independent of a school or college. Please see the UCAS website for instructions. The UCAS institution code name for King’s is KCL, and the institution code is K60.
There are a few programmes which require direct application to King's, this will be stated above
Before you apply, you may wish to attend a pre-application open day, usually held in July. All applicants who receive an offer from us will have an opportunity to visit the School, either for interview or at a post-offer open day. These events take place between January and April and give you the opportunity to ask questions about studying at King’s. If you would like a personal discussion with a staff member about your career aspirations and interests in biomedical science, please contact the Health Schools Admissions Centre in advance to make an appointment.