Subject overview

Why biomedical sciences?

Biomedical sciences explores the application of powerful modern bioscience approaches such as molecular cell biology, molecular genetics and genomics, as well as covering anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. The combination of these subjects offers a breadth of knowledge to understand the basis for the aetiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human disease.

Guaranteed interviews for applicants for medicine

Two competitive schemes are available for applicants who might ultimately wish to study medicine at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and who fulfil the criteria below. These schemes are not transfers into BSMS but an opportunity to obtain a guaranteed interview if you meet the criteria.

Graduates applying to study medicine at BSMS will be required to take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). However, those qualifying for the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for entry after Year 3 will be exempt from this.

If you are accepted for entry into BSMS, the standard offer for entry after Year 1 will be a 70 per cent (weighted by module credit) average overall for Year 1. For entry after Year 3, the standard offer will be 65 per cent (weighted by module credit) in the examinations contributing to your overall degree classification. 

For entry after Year 1 at Sussex

Academic requirements

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in Mathematics and English
• if English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• AAA at A level, all obtained in one sitting, plus a B at AS level. Both Chemistry and Biology are to be passed at A level with grade A; neither General Studies nor Critical Thinking are acceptable as an A or AS level subject
• if you have passed the International Baccalaureate, the required level is 36 overall with grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and Biology
• excellent Term 1 class-attendance record
• a 70 per cent (weighted by module credit) average (overall) for Term 1 modules or, if not available, evidence of high levels of attainment on all assessed work to date in Year 1, or a strongly supportive statement from your academic advisor.

Other requirements

• you have taken the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in the previous summer
• you have made a UCAS application to BSMS (A100) Medicine by 15 October
• you have the specified level of professional experience within the previous 12 months and completed by February of Year 1.*

*Professional experience requirements

You will be expected to have undertaken a prolonged period of work in one or more healthcare settings, typically once a week over a six-month period in the 12 months leading up to the application. This could be a paid post or volunteer work in a hospital, a care home, the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, etc. You should be able to demonstrate learning from these experiences. 

For entry after Year 3 at Sussex

Academic requirements

• GCSE grade B or equivalent in Mathematics and English
• if English is not your first language, an overall IELTS score of 7.5 with at least 7.0 in all sections
• a 70 per cent (weighted by module credit) average (overall) across Year 2.

Other requirements

• you have taken the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) in the previous summer
• you have made a UCAS application to BSMS (A100) Medicine by 15 October
• you have the specified level of professional experience within the previous 12 months and completed by October of Year 3*
• excellent record for class attendance and assignment submission by deadline.

*Professional experience requirements

You will be expected to have undertaken a prolonged period of work in one or more healthcare settings, typically once a week over a six-month period in the 12 months leading up to the application. This could be a paid post or volunteer work in a hospital, a care home, the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, etc. You should be able to demonstrate learning from these experiences. 

Simon's faculty perspective

‘How does a cell know what type of protein to make, when to make it and where to make it in the cell? These are the types of questions my research is addressing. For our approach, we use human tumour cells to investigate the signalling pathways regulating protein synthesis during cell proliferation and differentiation, coupled with high-power microscopy to look at where specific protein synthesis is occurring in the cell.

‘As a student on our Biomedical Science course, you will be taught by world-leading researchers at the forefront of their field and have an opportunity to learn about these and other fundamental control mechanisms and how they underpin modern approaches to therapeutics.’

Professor Simon Morley
Professor of Signal Transduction,
University of Sussex

Programme content

Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis and will present with a range of post-GCSE qualifications. The typical A level offer is currently BCC. There is a separate international foundation year for overseas students (refer to International Foundation Year and International Year One). The Biosciences foundation year is taught at Chichester College.

This four-year course is designed for those who want to study biological sciences at a top-rated university but lack the qualifications necessary for direct entry to one of our other courses. Typical entrants include those with non-science A levels and mature students returning to education who do not have appropriate science qualifications. Crucial to a successful application will be evidence of your potential to do well in a demanding science degree.

For recent UK school leavers, if you are thinking of applying for the foundation year, we would normally expect that you either did not have the opportunity to take A levels in science at school or that you have since decided on a change of direction. If you have grades in relevant subjects (like Biology, Chemistry, Physics) but these are simply below our requirements for first-year entry, we would recommend that you resit these rather than apply for the foundation year. For those with other A levels, we would generally expect you to meet our standard offer of at least BCC.

The foundation year is specifically designed for the needs of students who will subsequently transfer to one of the courses offered by the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex. Introductory modules in biology and chemistry each make up 40 per cent of the study content. Practical work is an important element of these modules. The remaining 20 per cent of time is split between mathematics and study skills, including IT. 

Teaching is by means of lectures, tutorials, classroom discussions and exercise classes. Small-group teaching is emphasised throughout. All modules run in parallel throughout the year, and assessment is by coursework and exams. 

After successful completion of the foundation year, you are guaranteed a place on one of the following BSc courses at the University of Sussex: Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Science, Ecology and Environment, or Neuroscience. Other BSc courses may also be available. Your final overall pass mark will determine which BSc course you can progress to.

Entry requirements

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

A level

Typical offer: at least BCC, but applicants may well have much higher results

Specific entry requirements: If you are applying with A levels, we would normally expect that you either did not have the opportunity to take relevant science A levels at school or that you have since decided on a change of direction. If you have (or are taking) A levels in relevant subjects (like Biology and/or Chemistry) but your grades are simply below our requirements for first-year entry, we would recommend that you resit these rather than apply for the foundation year. Crucial to a successful application for the foundation year will be evidence of your potential to do well in a demanding science degree. Successful applicants for Biosciences (with a foundation year) will need both GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics, at least grade C in each.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer: at least 28 points overall

Specific entry requirements: The foundation year would typically be for IB applicants who have not taken sufficient Higher level science subjects for entry direct to the first year (rather than for those who have under-performed in relevant discipline areas). Crucial to a successful application for the foundation year will be evidence of your potential to do well in a demanding science degree.

For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

Specific entry requirements: Access applicants welcomed (although the foundation is itself an alternative to taking an Access to HE Diploma in Science). The foundation may be suited to applicants who took an Access to HE Diploma which lacked sufficient Level 3 credit in science or was in a non-science area, where the applicant now wishes to change discipline. GCSE (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English, grade C, also required.

For more information refer to Access to HE Diploma.

Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass with grade B or C in the Diploma and B in the Additional and Specialist Learning

Specific entry requirements: Ideally the Additional and Specialist Learning would be a science A-level. Crucial to a successful application for the foundation year will be evidence of your potential to do well in a demanding science degree. GCSE (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English, with at least grade C in each, are also required.

For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Typical offer: DMM

Specific entry requirements: GCSE (or equivalent) in both Mathematics and English, with at least grade C in each, are also required.

For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer: 70% overall

For more information refer to European Baccalaureate.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level)

Typical offer: BBCCCC

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Typical offer: BBBCC

Specific entry requirements: If you are applying with Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, we would normally expect that you either did not have the opportunity to take relevant science subjects at school or that you have since decided on a change of direction or you were not able to take relevant science Advanced Highers and are applying just on the strength of Highers. If you have (or are taking) Advanced Highers in relevant subjects (like Biology and/or Chemistry) but your grades are simply below our requirements for first-year entry, we would recommend that you resit these rather than apply for the foundation year. Crucial to a successful application for the foundation year will be evidence of your potential to do well in a demanding science degree. Applicants will also need Maths and English at Standard Grade, grade 1 or 2.

For more information refer to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.

Related subjects

• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Ecology and environment
• Medicine
• Neuroscience

Fees and funding

Fees

Home/EU students: £9,000¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £9,000²
Overseas students: £13,000³

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Careers and profiles

Our graduates are well placed to compete for graduate medical school entry. You may also move to postgraduate study leading to academic and applied medical research in the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, universities and research institutes, or to a career in nutrition, paramedical work, management of clinical trials and medical laboratory sciences and other professions allied to medicine.

Careers and employability

For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).

Contact our School

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Jonathan's staff perspective

‘Sussex provides world-leading teaching and excellent academic facilities, with a vibrant student life in a fantastic location. All of this meant that I left Sussex with a unique set of experiences and a degree that has prepared me for my future.

‘Joining Student Recruitment Services at the University has enabled me to share my experiences of Sussex with others. Coming to an Open Day gives you the opportunity to meet our research-active academics and our current students, while exploring our beautiful campus. But don’t worry if you can’t make an Open Day, there’s plenty of other opportunities to visit Sussex. Check out our Visit us and Open Days pages or our Facebook page to find out more.

‘I’ve loved every moment of my time at Sussex – these have been the best years of my life.’

Jonathan Bridges
Graduate Intern, Student Recruitment Services