MSci Medical Science with Professional Experience

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

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Home/United Kingdom/Reading /University of Reading/MSci Medical Science with Professional Experience

University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

C753

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 5 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650 / year

Next Intake September-2026

MSci Medical Science with Professional Experience

About

Gain the knowledge, research and practical experience to work at the forefront of modern medicine on this integrated MSci Medical Science with Professional Experience 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.

This course flexibility allows you to explore a variety of topics, ranging from molecular, genetic and cellular levels through to diagnostics, treatments and interventions. You will learn to learn about a wide range of diagnostic equipment used to detect and monitor diseases, assess injuries, and evaluate overall health. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of diseases and their treatments, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, pathological infections and neurological disorders – all of which present major challenges to global health.

Why study Medical Science at the University of Reading?

We have a well-established network of clinical partners hosted on campus and regionally.
The course has been developed in partnership with practising NHS laboratory scientists.
Benefit from our long-standing links with the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
You have access to state-of-the-art facilities for your practical sessions and research projects.
98% of students in the School of Biological Sciences said our teaching staff were good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2024).
We are in the UK's top 10 universities for biosciences (ranked 9th in the Daily Mail University Guide, 2024).

Accreditation

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.

What you'll study

The MSci follows the standard undergraduate curriculum but with an additional year of study and a master's level qualification.

With a strong emphasis on research and practical, this flexible course explores a wide variety of topics. In your first year, you cover the core subjects on which your future studies will be based. You will learn about biochemical, molecular and cell biology basis of life, and study the fundamentals of microbiology. Your first year also focuses on developing your essential laboratory skills, data handling/interpretation and other key transferable skills.

In your second year, while continuing to enhance your practical skills, you will shape your studies to suit your interests and career aspirations. You can focus on medical science subjects ranging from haematology to biochemistry, or dive into the fundamental principles of physics for medicine.

The third year of the programme places a strong emphasis on the application of knowledge and skills, preparing you for your final year of study. Then in your final year, you'll undertake a research-intensive project in biomedical research laboratories. You'll engage in cutting edge research and develop your ability to work independently.

Research, placements and studentships

You will undertake an Advanced Research Project during your final year, working alongside academics on cutting-edge medical research.

Between your second and third year, you will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement. Students in previous years have worked at Diamond Light Source, Public Health England, GSK, and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.

Paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust are available. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will typically work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

Our Department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements who can provide you with advice and support.

We also offer a four-year version of this degree, MSci Medical Science, that does not include an integrated placement year.

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

ABB, including Grade B in A level 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

32 points overall, including 5 in Biology and in a second science subject, both at higher 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.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD (modules taken must be comparable to subject specific requirement)

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

This degree offers a broad curriculum preparing you for a career in medical research, clinical trials, drug development, public health, with opportunities to pursue further studies in clinical or biomedical fields. You will also develop valuable transferable skills ensuring you are highly desirable in a wide variety of careers.

Overall, 91% of graduates from the School of Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Based on our HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/2021, includes all School of Biological Sciences responders).

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

1. Check our entry requirements

Please see our postgraduate subject finder for minimum entry requirements for the programme you are interested in; entry requirements can vary from one programme to another. International students can consult our country-specific pages for information and guidance on alternative qualification equivalencies for master’s study.

If English is not your first language, you will also need to meet our English language requirements. You can find the IELTS requirements on each course page. We also accept a range of alternative English language qualifications.

If your English ability is not at the required standard, you can choose to apply for one of our Pre-sessional English programmes. The programmes will equip you with the study skills and preparation needed for academic study in English. The length of your Pre-sessional English programme is determined by your current level of English against the English language requirements of your chosen master’s programme.

2. Application and funding deadlines

Although most master’s programmes do not formally close for applications, some programmes do have application deadlines; if your programme has a deadline it will be specified on the course page under the ‘Entry requirements’ section. For programmes that do not have a specific application deadline, places may be limited and programmes may become full. We recommend that you apply as early as possible (particularly if you are an international student) to allow time not only for us to process your application, but for you to ensure that you can meet any offer conditions, arrange your accommodation and, importantly, funding for your studies. For admission in September, we do recommend that you apply by 1 August (if you are a UK applicant) and 1 July (if you are an international applicant requiring a visa to come to the UK) however, we are happy to still consider applications after these dates.

International applicants should also see our advice and guidance on visas and immigration.

Funding deadlines

We require an offer of study for many of our master’s scholarships and bursaries. You should check deadlines for applications carefully, and each scholarship or bursary will have specific application instructions. We may add scholarships throughout the year, so it is a good idea to re-visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

3. Submit your application

You can apply for master’s programmes directly through our online application system, RISIS. For our PGCE/Teacher Training programmes, applications must be made via the Department of Education's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training portal. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation.

Various documents are needed to make your application. You should electronically upload:

full transcripts of all degree programmes taken. If these are not in English, a certified translation into English is required. Please do not mail original copies; we only require PDF copies via electronic upload,
an English language certificate (for example IELTS or TOEFL), if English is not your first language (this can also be provided after you submit your application),
contact details for two academic/professional references. Your references will automatically be invited via email to upload their reference directly once you have submitted your application. Please remind your references to check their junk/spam filters for the email and let them know that the link to the form is only valid for 20 days,
statement of purpose. Your personal statement should outline your academic performance, interest in applying to master’s study, any relevant work experience and skills gained,
a copy of your passport (for international students).

Application fee

We do not charge an application fee to apply for our master’s programmes.

4. Track your application

You can track the progress of your application using our applicant portal, Me@Reading, a personalised resource including information about your programme of study, student stories and what's happening here at Reading. It has everything you need to know, all in one place. When we have made a decision on your application, we will contact you via email. If we are able to make you an offer for a place to study, your offer will contain information about what to do next, including how to accept your offer, pay a deposit (if applicable), and any conditions you must meet to study with us.