Biomedical Sciences

About the course

Biomedical science focuses on how cells, organs and systems function in the human body; an exciting and dynamic area that is highly relevant to the understanding and treatment of human diseases.

Oxford is a highly respected and internationally recognised centre for biomedical research. Students on this course will benefit from tuition from leading experts working within a variety of nonclinical and clinical departments.

This course provides students with an intellectually stimulating education in modern molecular, cellular and systems biology and neuroscience. Please note this course does not provide medical training.

The Biomedical Sciences course at Oxford has been designed so that students initially acquire an integrated understanding of biomedical science that allows them to shape their subsequent studies towards the topics that interest them the most.

Practical laboratory work forms an integral part of this programme and you will be required to complete these practical elements to a satisfactory standard in order to progress through the course.

As the course progresses, increasing emphasis is placed on scientific research, as students obtain first-hand experience of laboratory research in the later stages. Students choose their own project and the possible areas for investigation within the University are wide ranging.

Students can elect to graduate after three years with a BA degree. On the basis of the specialisation initiated by the selection of second-year modules and confirmed by the choice of third-year options, students will be awarded a degree in either Neuroscience or Cell and Systems Biology. 

The research-intensive fourth year leads to the award of a Master’s degree. Students who complete the fourth year will graduate with a Master’s degree.

'My course is already pretty specific in orientating the learning towards human biology, for those not wanting to be a medic. However, on top of that it allows you to specify options after first year. So, from second year onwards I am doing more specifically what I want to do. I can focus on the areas of human science that really interest me and cut out those that turn me off. This makes work much more enjoyable when you actively want to learn more about the subject, beyond the recommended reading list.' Tamsin	'The first year is so incredibly broad! I went into first year with no doubt in my mind that I'd be specialising in genetics or immunology, but a few psychology and neuroscience lectures later my whole plan had changed! If I didn't do Biomedical Sciences, I may have never even considered neuroscience as something to dedicate my career towards!' Jack	'Although in school I was encouraged to apply for Medicine, my interests were much more about the science than patient interaction. The brilliance of the Biomedical Sciences course at Oxford is the luxury of choice. It has been designed in a ‘stepping stone’ fashion, providing students with a solid foundation of science in the first year and then allowing them to tailor the course to their particular interests over the following two years. You can tell they’ve really thought about the structure and it’s arguably one of the best and most exciting courses Oxford offers.' Mark

Unistats information

Discover Uni course data provides applicants with Unistats statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford for a particular undergraduate course.

Please select 'see course data' to view the full Unistats data for Biomedical Sciences.

Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small. 

Visit the Studying at Oxford section of this page for a more general insight into what studying here is likely to be like.

Biomedical Sciences

Academic requirements

Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.

Read further information on how we use contextual data.

Subject requirements 

Applying

All candidates must follow the application procedure as shown on our Applying to Oxford pages.

The following information gives specific details for students applying for this course.

Admissions test  

All the information you need to arrange to take your test as well as how best to prepare can be found on your test page.

Written work 

You do not need to submit written work as part of an application for this course.

What are tutors looking for?

Tutors look for lively, receptive minds with the ability to evaluate evidence critically.

You should be able to consider issues from different perspectives and have a capacity for logical and creative thinking. BMSAT results will be considered when shortlisting candidates for interview. 

Please visit the Biomedical Sciences website for more detail on the selection criteria for this course.

Fees

Additional Fees and Charges Information for Biomedical Sciences

In the third term of the second year, students who undertake a research project may wish to remain in Oxford after the end of full term to facilitate completion of their project. 

However, this extended residence in Oxford is not a requirement and students should be aware that no financial support is available to help with any additional living costs during this time.

Visit the likely range of living costs for an additional month in Oxford.

In the (optional) fourth year of the Biomedical Sciences course, students will need to be in residence for an extended first term to begin their research project.

You will need to be in Oxford for 12 weeks in the first term. This extended term means that you will need to budget for slightly higher living costs in the final year, as you will be required to be in Oxford for longer than the standard term.

The additional work in the fourth year means that you will graduate with an MBiomedSci – a master’s degree – as well as invaluable research experience that will be excellent preparation for further study or a range of careers.