Applied Medical Sciences, BSc (Hons) / MSci (Hons)

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Course Overview

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the science underpinning medicine with a degree in Applied Medical Sciences.

Applied Medical Sciences at Swansea gives you a broad foundation in medical and life sciences, bridging medicine and science while developing scientists who can apply scientific knowledge directly to healthcare.

You will cover topics such as human anatomy and physiology, cell biology, genetics, pharmacology, and neuroscience, together with their clinical and applied relevance. You will also gain a deeper understanding of how the human body works, what happens when it goes wrong, how disorders are currently treated, and how new therapeutics can be developed.

Applied Medical Sciences at Swansea will provide you with the knowledge and understanding relevant to careers in laboratory research, medicine and commercial enterprise in the life sciences, allowing you to play a critical role in health and healthcare.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BSc.

This programme is also available as a 4-year MSci, which is an advanced undergraduate degree, adding a further research-focused year to your degree. Our MSci leads to a master’s level qualification, in addition to your undergraduate degree, giving you expert scientific training and a springboard towards a range of specialist careers.

Why Applied Medical Sciences at Swansea?

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, Swansea University’s Medical School is home to state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities.

You will experience a one-of-a-kind undergraduate degree, with access to our anatomy suites and research laboratories, you will also experience cadaver-based anatomy.

  • 8th in the UK for Subjects Allied to Medicine (Times Good University Guide 2026)
  • 9th in the UK for Career Prospects (assessed under ‘Biomedical Sciences’ Guardian University Guide 2026)
  • 11th in the UK for Teaching Quality (assessed under ‘Subjects Allied to Medicine’ Times Good University Guide 2026)
  • 98% of Applied Medical Sciences graduates are in employment and/or study, or doing other activities such as travelling 15 months after leaving Swansea University (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025)

This degree is a Pathway to Medicine programme. Provided you meet the minimum entry requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine and you have successfully completed this Pathway, you will be guaranteed an interview for our flagship Medicine (Graduate Entry) MBBCh course.

Your Applied Medical Sciences Experience

Employability is at the core of Applied Medical Sciences at Swansea. You will have the option to choose from one of three employability strands that align with the primary graduate employability areas:

  • Medical Sciences Research (MR) – preparing future research scientists
  • Medical Sciences Enterprise and Innovation (E and I) – preparing future biomedical scientist entrepreneurs
  • Medical Sciences in Practice (MP) – preparing scientist graduates for application to graduate-entry clinical areas such as Medicine and other health professionals.

Our strands have been developed with your interests in mind, and touch upon the biomedical sciences skills gaps that currently face the industry, as noted by the Royal Society of Biology, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, and the Department of Business Innovation and Skills. You will continue to advance upon these strands as you progress through our programme.

This programme includes opportunities to undertake a Year Abroad, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for paid-only placements, which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applied Medical Sciences Employment Opportunities

Applied Medical Sciences at Swansea is built on a foundation of entrepreneurship and innovation, setting our graduates up well for a career in emerging science, product development, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

As a graduate of our Applied Medical Sciences degree, you will be well positioned for a range of roles such as:

  • Biotechnologist
  • Clinical Data Analyst
  • Epidemiologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Product development or Quality Assurance in Industry
  • Roles in Industry, Academia, or Government Laboratories, such as Senior Scientist or Technical Expert
  • Regulatory Science
  • Science writer
  • Toxicologist

As a Pathway to Medicine, our programme is also an excellent base for graduate entry into more clinically focused roles, including Graduate Entry Medicine and postgraduate research.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

Applied Medical Sciences, BSc (Hons)

Applied Medical Sciences, MSci (Hons)

Applied Medical Sciences with a Foundation Year, MSci (Hons)

Applied Medical Sciences with a Foundation Year, BSc (Hons)

Applied Medical Sciences with a Placement Year, BSc (Hons)

Applied Medical Sciences with a Year Abroad, BSc (Hons)

Applied Medical Sciences with a Foundation Year and Abroad, BSc (Hons)