top of page

Introduction

Location

Location: De Montfort University Leicester UK Institution code: D26

Course Length

UCAS course code: B902
Duration: Three years full-time, four years sandwich (optional)
Start date: September 2023

Why choose this course?

Key features

 Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.
 The academic quality of the curriculum has been assured by Royal Society of Biology accreditation
 Dedicated staff with diverse experience, outstanding level of pastoral care as well as scientific and clinical research informed teaching
 A strong integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and inclusive teaching
 The teaching and learning activities in Medical Science programme include traditional lecture, interactive seminar and workshop, laboratory and clinical skill practical sessions.
 Space for focused learning, excellent teaching contact time as well as exceptional academic support and pastoral care
 Be part of a lifelong learning journey/process, rather than the end point.
 Cultivation of learning and becoming an autonomous learner have been at the heart of the programme.
 Utilisation of national and international sources of information (i.e. text books, guidelines, case reports and peer-review articles) to reflect on arising global issues.
 Our students benefit from an international experience through our DMU Global programme, which has seen students conducting Biomedical Science workshops on topics including malaria, sickle cell disease, and diabetes to school students in Zimbabwe and Bermuda.

Overview

Our Medical Science programme always places students’ interest and learning experience at the heart of the teaching and learning activity, as supported by a strong integration of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and inclusive teaching. We have dedicated staff with diverse experience, outstanding level of pastoral care as well as scientific and clinical research informed teaching.

After successfully completing year one, Medical Science students will be equipped with fundamental knowledge of and practical skills in chemistry and biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology and personal and professional skills. In year two, students integrate their understanding of the healthy human body with disease pathology and processes before being introduced to the disciplines and techniques involved in delivering quality healthcare, and an insight into management principles relevant to many professional settings in year three.

In year three, students also design and implement an independent research project, either laboratory, literature-based or clinical-based, which is written up as a scientific article and presented as a public engagement poster. This demands excellent time management and organisational skills, the ability to plan and to execute scientific research, strong written communication skills, the ability to read and evaluate critically scientific articles, as well as excellent problem-solving, numeracy and analytical skills.

The practical component of this course equips graduates with experience and knowledge of a range of scientific equipment and procedures, including ELISAs, cell culture, histology, SDS-PAGE and western blotting, history taking, communication skills, measurement of vital signs, providing first aid, ECG and other monitoring methods for cardiovascular and health conditions.

Modules

Year one
Provides students with the fundamental framework of biomedical science in human health.

 Block 1: Personal and Professional Skills
 Block 2: Chemistry and Biochemistry
 Block 3: Anatomy and Physiology
 Block 4: Microbiology

Year two

Builds on the foundation knowledge and skills from Year one. Students will start to integrate their understanding of the healthy human body with disease pathology and processes.

 Block 1: Genetics and Molecular Pathology
 Block 2: Clinical Skills for Medical Science
 Block 3: Organ System Physiology
 Block 4: Evidence-Based Medicine

Optional placement year in industry

Year three

Provides a more in-depth scientific understanding, clinical and professional skills. Students are introduced to the disciplines and techniques involved in delivering quality healthcare, and an insight into management principles relevant to many professional settings.

 Block 1: Endocrinology and Nutrition
 Block 2: Cancer Biology and Clinical Pharmacology
 Block 3: Advanced Clinical Perspective for Medical Science
 Block 4: Research and Innovation

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry criteria

GCSEs

 Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including: English and Maths

Plus one of the following:

A Level

 A minimum of 120 points from 2 or more A levels, including one A level in either Biology, Chemistry or Human Biology at grade C/4 or above

T Levels

Merit in Science (with optional module in Laboratory Science only)

BTEC

 BTEC National Diploma Science - Distinction/ Distinction/ Merit, or
 BTEC Extended Diploma Science - Distinction/ Distinction/ Merit

Access course

 122 UCAS Tariff Access to HE Diploma ‘Science’ with Distinctions in science specific modules not in generic learning modules.

English and Maths GCSE required at grade 4 (C) or above as separate qualifications.

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.
International Baccalaureate: 28+ with six higher level points in Chemistry or Biology

Interview: No
Work experience: No

Personal statement selection criteria

 Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
 Information relevant to the course applied for
 Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence
 If relevant for the course - work and life experience

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications

English language requirements

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview

Career Opportunities

Placements

During this course you will have the option to complete a paid placement year, an invaluable opportunity to put the skills developed during your degree into practice. This insight into the professional world will build on your knowledge in a real-world setting, preparing you to progress onto your chosen career.

Our Careers Team can help to hone your professional skills with mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and an assigned personal tutor will support you throughout your placement.

Students have previously undertaken placement opportunities at Institute of Lung Health at Glenfield Hospital, Clintec and private healthcare organisations.

DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers.

Through DMU Global, we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

The DMU Global initiative has seen Medical Science students explore preventative healthcare in Berlin, raise awareness of type 2 diabetes in Kentucky and perform a parasitological and public health research study in New York.

Graduate careers

To help students prepare for specific careers choices, not only do we have a professional careers team, careers conferences, and employment talks, but an initiative where alumni give their advice for students following in their footsteps, including students who have gone on to postgraduate medicine and dentistry, research, and clinical laboratory careers.

Graduate opportunities exist in medical research, writing, education, commerce and sales. This is an appropriate entry qualification for graduates who wish to apply for further study in graduate entry medicine, physician associate, pharmacy, dentistry or NHS medical care practitioner training.

bottom of page