Medical Sciences

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 11.6 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 29 k / Year(s) Deadline: Oct 15, 2025
30 place StudyQA ranking:4611 Duration:4 years

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You will be taught through a combination of tutorials, lectures, practical work, problem-based learning and computer-assisted learning.

All courses are supported by a virtual learning environment that offers self-assessment tools, online course resources and student discussion forums alongside a dedicated medical sciences electronic personal development portfolio.

Year 1

You will take three compulsory courses: Medical Sciences 1; Medical Biology 1; and Molecules, Genes & Cells 1.

You will choose other courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical courses. Medical Sciences 1 defines the unique identity of the programme, introducing the breadth of disciplines that integrate to contribute to our understanding of health and disease.

Students will also be expected to take at least one course in biological chemistry.

Year 2

You will expand your knowledge in basic biomedical sciences and further develop an integrated approach to understanding the science that underpins medical practice.

You will take three compulsory courses: Anatomy & Pathology 2; Biomedical Sciences 2; and Microorganisms, Infection & Immunity 2 alongside additional courses chosen from biomedical, biological or other disciplines across the University.

Anatomy and Pathology 2 is a programme-specific course that that introduces an integrated approach to the structure and function of the human body at different levels of organisation and develops key programme-specific healthcare themes.

Year 3

You will develop expert specialised knowledge in medical sciences that enables you to understand current research and to discuss critically its significance and implications.

You will develop key skills in critical analysis, research and communication alongside increasing biomedical knowledge. You will study three compulsory courses: Health, Illness & Society 3; Clinical Biochemistry & Endocrinology 3; and Clinical Immunology & Haematology 3A plus three option courses.

The compulsory courses explore further the links between basic research and the clinical situation. Health, Illness & Society 3 is unique to this programme and provides an important focus on developing awareness of healthcare-specific professional and ethical relationships covering aspects of social medicine from the understanding of disease at a population level to the global allocation and use of healthcare resources.

Year 4

You will have opportunities to actively engage in research, discuss and analyse high-profile issues, and reflect on and re-evaluate themes addressed in earlier years.

You will study the compulsory course Medical Sciences 4 alongside two option courses that allow analysis of high-profile contemporary issues in medical sciences.

With individual tutor support, you will complete a major research project that involves either original laboratory-based medical research, clinically-related research or library-based literature research.

Year 1, Academic year 2016/17, Starting month: September

  • Notes: Before selecting your course options, please ensure you have met your Personal Tutor.

    Students may wish to make use of the interactive programme builder PATH to help inform their decision regarding course choices (https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/).


  •  

COMPULSORY COURSES 
This DPT has 3 compulsory course(s).

 
Code  Course Name  Period  Credits 
MSBM08002 Medical Sciences 1. Semester 1 20
 
BILG08015 Molecules, Genes and Cells 1 Semester 2 20
 
BIME08004 Medical Biology 1 Semester 2 20
 




COURSE OPTIONS 
This DPT has 3 set(s) of course options with the following rules.


Overarching rule collection group: A   
Select exactly 60 credits from these collections:  

Select exactly 20 credits from the following list of courses, during Semester 1
Code   Course Name   Credits
CHEM08022    Biological Chemistry 1A   20  
CHEM07001    Introductory Chemistry for Biologists   20  

Notes:Exceptionally, in discussion with your Personal Tutor, the courses Introductory Chemistry for Biologists and Biological Chemistry 1A may be replaced by any other course chosen from Schedules A-Q/T and W. 

  
AND    


Select exactly 20 credits course level 08, during Semester 2
CHEM08023     Biological Chemistry 1B     (20 credits)

Notes:Exceptionally, in discussion with your Personal Tutor, the course Biological Chemistry 1B may be replaced by any other course chosen from Schedules A-Q/T and W. 

 

  


Overarching rule collection group: B   
Select exactly 20 credits from these collections:  


Select exactly 20 credits from Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to Q, T and W, during Semester 1
 

  
 


 

Year 2, Academic year 2016/17, Starting month: August

  • Notes: 1. Before selecting your course options, please ensure you have met your Personal Tutor. Students may wish to make use of the interactive programme builder PATH to help inform their decision regarding course choices (http://path.is.ed.ac.uk/).

    2. A booklet giving details of course options, including recommendations and restrictions, will be available for students on the degree programme to facilitate advance planning.

    3. Progression to Honours requires marks of 50% or above in at least two of Anatomy and Pathology 2, Microorganisms, Infection and Immunity 2 and Biomedical Sciences 2 at the first examination diet AND passes in all three of these core second year courses with an average mark of at least 50% by the end of the August (second sitting) exam diet OR with permission of the Head of School.


  •  

COMPULSORY COURSES 
This DPT has 3 compulsory course(s).

 
Code  Course Name  Period  Credits 
MSBM08001 Anatomy and Pathology 2 Semester 1 20
 
BIME08007 Biomedical Sciences 2 Full Year 40
 
BIME08012 Microorganisms, Infection and Immunity 2 Semester 2 20
 




COURSE OPTIONS 
This DPT has 2 set(s) of course options with the following rules.


Overarching rule collection group: A   
Select exactly 40 credits from these collections:  


Select exactly 20 credits from Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to Q, T and W, during Semester 1
 

  
AND    

Select exactly 20 credits from Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to Q, T and W, during Semester 2
 

  

Year 3, Academic year 2016/17, Starting month: August

  • Notes: 1. Before selecting your course options, please ensure you have met your Personal Tutor. Students may wish to make use of the interactive programme builder PATH to help inform their decision regarding course choices (https://path.is.ed.ac.uk/).

    2. A booklet giving details of course options, including recommendations and restrictions, will be available for students on the degree programme to facilitate advance planning.

    3. In order to proceed to Senior Honours students must have obtained at least 360 credit points and met the requirements set out in the DPT for their selected programme of study. Student must have:
    - passes in all core 1st, 2nd and 3rd year courses.
    - at least 80 credit points by passing level 9 or level 10 courses in the Junior Honours year at first attempt (this must include a pass in either Health, Illness and Society 3 or Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3 or Clinical Immunology and Haematology 3A); and
    - an overall aggregate mark of at least 40% in Level 9/10 courses taken in Junior Honours

  •  
COMPULSORY COURSES 
This DPT has 3 compulsory course(s).

 
Code  Course Name  Period  Credits 
MSBM09003 Health, Illness and Society 3 Semester 1 20
 
MSBM09001 Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology 3 Semester 1 20
 
MSBM09005 Clinical Immunology & Haematology 3A Semester 2 20
 


COURSE OPTIONS 
This DPT has 2 set(s) of course options with the following rules.

Overarching rule collection group: A   
Select exactly 60 credits from these collections:  


Select a minimum of 20 credits and maximum of 60 credits from Level 9 courses in Schedules K and T, as available
 

 

Select a minimum of 0 credits and maximum of 40 credits from Level 9 and 10 courses in Schedules A to Q, T and W, as available
  

Year 4, Academic year 2016/17, Starting month: August

  • Notes: 1. Before selecting your course options, please ensure you have met your Personal Tutor.

    2. A booklet, "Senior Honours Guide", giving details of course options, including recommendations and restrictions, will be available for students on the degree programme to facilitate advance planning.

    3. Course options in List 1 in the Senior Honours Guide are STRONGLY recommended for this programme.


  •  

COMPULSORY COURSES 
This DPT has 4 compulsory course(s).

 
Code  Course Name  Period  Credits 
MSBM10011 Medical Sciences 4 Full Year 20
 
MSBM10012 Medical Sciences Project Preview Dissertation Semester 1 10
 
MSBM10013 Medical Sciences Project Semester 2 40
 
MSBM10014 Medical Sciences Academic Portfolio Full Year 10
 




COURSE OPTIONS 
This DPT has 2 set(s) of course options with the following rules.


Overarching rule collection group: A   
Select exactly 40 credits from these collections:  
Select a minimum of 20 credits and maximum of 40 credits from the following list of courses, during Semester 1
Code   Course Name   Credits
BIME10030    Cancer Biology and Medicine   20  
BIME10029    Cardiovascular Pharmacology & Therapeutics   20  
BIME10028    Conception to Parturition   20  
BIME10027    Development and Disease   20  
BIME10026    Developmental and Clinical Neuroscience   20  
BIME10025    Diagnostics and therapeutics for infectious disease   20  
BIME10024    Endocrine Physiology and Pharmacology   20  
BIME10023    Forensic Investigation   20  
BIME10022    Genetic and Environmental Influences on Behaviour and Mental Health   20  
BIME10021    Global Health and Infectious Diseases   20  
BIME10020    Hormones & Behaviour   20  
BIME10018    Integrative Physiology   20  
BIME10011    Neural circuits for learning and memory   20  
BIME10010    Neurobiology of Cognition   20  
BIME10032    Neurodegeneration, obesity and cancer: genetics and beyond   20  
BIME10009    Neuroimaging   20  
BIME10008    Neurotransmitters In Action   20  
BIME10007    Receptors, signalling and regulation of cell responsiveness   20  
BIME10017    Regenerative Medicine   20  
BIME10016    Reproductive Systems   20  
BIME10015    Science Communication   20  
BIME10014    Sensory Physiology and Dysfunction   20  
BIME10013    Social and Ethical Aspects of Medicine   20  
BIME10012    Synaptic Function and Plasticity in Health and Disease   20  
BIME10034    Making Sense of Disease Pathways   20  
BIME10036    Inflammation and Tissue Repair   20  

Notes:These courses make up List 1 and are STRONGLY recommended for this programme. 
  
AND    


Select a minimum of 0 credits and maximum of 20 credits from Level 10 and 11 courses in Schedules A to Q, T and W, during Semester 1

  • Attestat plus completion of a recognised foundation programme  Or At least one year of the Bakalavr or Specialist degree with an average grade of 'good' (4.0/5.0)
  • IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
  • TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
  • Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

  • ✔️ Flexible study schedule
  • ✔️ Experienced teachers
  • ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

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Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 13.7 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 28 k / Year(s)
StudyQA ranking: 7161