BSc Medical Science with Foundation

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

University RankQS Ranking

173

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University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

C751

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 23,000 / year

Next Intake September-2026

BSc Medical Science with Foundation

About

Train to work at the forefront of modern medicine with our BSc Medical Science with Foundation course.

This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year course.

Focus on the science that underpins medicine, and how medical science can lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating disease. This course covers topics such as biomedical laboratory research and frontline clinical care in order to improve patients’ lives.

Led by the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, your learning is enhanced by:

industry-specific training. Designed in partnership with our local NHS partners to respond to career needs within the NHS, our course offers you the most relevant, practical content.
teaching from medical experts. You will be taught by academics whose research is aimed at understanding disease mechanisms, improving diagnoses, developing new therapies and advancing clinical practice. Everyone who teaches you has on-the-ground experience.
practical experience. Options to complete multiple small placements in primary and secondary healthcare settings, or healthcare industry, are built into your degree timetable. Ideal to show understanding and experience when applying for graduate medicine programmes.

Graduate well prepared to work in the NHS or a variety of other healthcare settings.

Your learning structure

The aim of the foundation year is to prepare you for your medical science degree. As you progress, each stage builds on your prior learning.

Foundation year: gain a thorough grounding in study at degree level. Core modules will develop key scientific and general skills to support your learning.

Following the foundation year, tailored pathway options allow you to specialise in topical, cutting edge areas of medical science:

Diseases pathway: explore the genetic and physiological basis of major diseases and disorders and study how gene-environment interaction underpins disease. Example modules: Clinical Psychology, Bacteriology & Virology, infectious diseases.
Medical Devices pathway: learn how modern technology is used to address previously insurmountable medical challenges. Example modules: Introduction to programming, Sensors and Transducers for Biomedical Engineering.
Clinical and Medical Sciences pathway: investigate the complex causes of major diseases and global epidemics, and study the multidisciplinary approach to their containment, treatment and prevention. Example modules: Public Health and Nutrition, Medicines in Healthcare, Drug Targets.

98% of students in the School of Biological Sciences said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things. (National Student Survey, 2023).

Clinical placements with BSc Medical Science with Foundation

You can gain hands-on experience during multiple short placements in clinical settings, depending on your chosen pathway.

Our well-established network of clinical partners includes the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, and others in the region.

These placements offer you excellent opportunities to gain practical experience, from the very first year of your degree.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB - for applicants without Biology and a second science
CCC - for applicants with Biology and a second science

Acceptable science subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate

30 - for applicants without higher level Biology and a second science
24 - for applicants with Biology and a second science, both at higher level.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM

GCSE

Grade 4 (C) in Science if not studying sciences at A level.

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

English Program Requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

Career

Careers for BSc Medical Science with Foundation graduates

This degree is geared towards careers within the NHS and its supporting industries.

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) following an independent and rigorous assessment.

Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and establish a profile of key skills that bioscience employers can recognise in accredited graduates, including technical and transferable skills.

Our Clinical and Medical Sciences pathway has been designed specifically to provide a foundation for graduate-entry medical school. You could also enter a career in the pharmaceutical industry, or pursue further medical study.

All pathways allow you to work in hospital, pharmaceutical or research laboratories. You may also decide to study for higher research degrees.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 23,000

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

You can apply online for all of our courses, including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year, via the national admissions service, UCAS. You can choose to apply for up to five courses in total, including more than one course at the same institution.

1. Find a course

Browse our undergraduate courses and identify which ones you'd like to apply for. Make sure to check your course's entry requirements before you apply.

2. Begin your application

Our UCAS code is R12. The University does not have a campus code.

3. Write your personal statement

As part of your application, you'll be asked to submit a personal statement to support your application. This is your opportunity to tell us more about why you want to study the course and what interests, skills and experience you have that demonstrate your passion for the subject.

4. Submit your application

When you're happy with your application and have added the required information such as qualifications, personal statement and reference, you can submit your application.

A small charge is made by UCAS for applying to university. The application fee for 2024 entry is £27.50 for up to five choices.

Make sure to check the UCAS website for the most up-to-date application deadlines. If you have missed the January deadline, there is still the opportunity to apply (via UCAS), and we are happy to consider late applications until 30 June 2024 (all applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing). Please be aware that some of our courses may be full after the January UCAS deadline, so we recommend early applications where possible.