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MSci Medical Science
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UCAS code
C753 -
A level offer
ABB -
Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
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Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Gain the knowledge, research and practical experience to work at the forefront of modern medicine on this integrated MSci Medical Science 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 ranked in the UK's top 10 universities for biosciences (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 expand 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.
Your learning environment
Our new £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café.
Facilities and equipment
You will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience using our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities including:
- a Clinical Simulation suite
- a cardiovascular imaging facility
- NHS clinics for Speech and language therapy and young people mental health
- advanced microscopy suites purpose-built for biomedical research
- tissue culture suites
- multi-mode microplate readers (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence)
- multicolour flow cytometry
- real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), digital gel scanning and documentation
- spectrophotometers, centrifuges and ultra-centrifuges
- fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Placements and studentships
Between your second and third year, you will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement, see our MSci Medical Science with Professional Experience course. 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.
For more information, please visit the School of Biomedical Sciences website.