Why not step aside from your degree for a year to study an intercalated degree? Develop the ability to analyse and interpret research papers while gaining significant, hands-on experience in innovative medical or clinical research, whether in a laboratory setting or within the community.
Successful completion of this year leads to the award of a classified honours degree. The course aims to emphasise the importance of the science that underpins medicine and provide awareness, experience and competence in those scientific disciplines allied to medicine. This is achieved through in depth study of specific subject areas and also a research project, which is a major component of the programme. The project provides an understanding of the importance of medical research to the practice of medicine. Medical practitioners are now required to have an appreciation of areas previously considered mainly beneficial to a research career.
Want to know more about intercalation? Discover why students choose to intercalate and register your interest to receive more information about our intercalation opportunities at the University of Birmingham.
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Pursue the science that underpins medicine and investigate gaps in knowledge. With a strong emphasis on practical work, you'll develop skills in designing and conducting medical research experiments, as well as analysing data.
As a Birmingham student you are part of an academic elite and will learn from world-leading experts. From the outset you will be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner. We want you to be challenged and will encourage you to think for yourself.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. You’ll receive feedback on each assessment within four weeks, so that you can learn from and build on what you have done. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
In your first term, you will study medical and molecular genetics, neuroscience, cellular pathology, pharmacology, molecular medicine, molecular virology and oncology, and many more. This leads you on to your own research project for the whole of the spring term. Here you gain experience of advanced research techniques and learn to analyse and interpret data as well as to present a coherent discussion of your interpretations and conclusions of your findings. During the project you are expected to be associated full-time with your laboratory.
During the first term you will specialise by selecting from a variety of taught specialist modules in a wide range of subject areas as seen below. You’ll learn about the latest findings and be exposed to advanced research techniques, guided by internationally recognised experts in these fields.
Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences
Dr Wendy Leadbeater, Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences, at the University of Birmingham
The College of Medicine and Health represents over a fifth of the University's population but generates nearly half of the University's research-related income. The College excels in healthcare-related research, combining clinical, patient-focused studies with exceptional basic laboratory sciences.
The BMedSc Medical Science programme benefits greatly from being taught by staff from different Schools of the College of Medicine and Health who are active research scientists engaged in a wide range of high quality research projects. In particular, this enables a broad range of taught options and research projects to be offered.
To learn more about biomedical research activities in the College of Medicine and Health, please visit our research pages.
The programme may be of interest to those wishing to explore the scientific basis of a wide range of medical specialisms.
Open for students studying Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Birmingham who have completed Years 2,3 or 4 of their undergraduate programmes.
Please note that if you have not yet completed Year 2 of your vocational course, both your acceptance and your choice of final year modules can be decided only after all examination marks are known.
If you are a University of Birmingham student, please visit the 'Intercalating BMedSc (Medical Science)' folder on Canvas.
We do not normally accept applications from external students.
£9,535 (Home). £31,050 (Overseas).
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
This programme is open to University of Birmingham students only. Please note that the programme may not run in any given academic year if there is insufficient student interest.
For any enquiries and details on how to apply for 2026 entry, please email our Intercalation team on cmhintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
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