BSc Health and Medical Sciences
Do you have a passion for promoting health through science? Are you interested in understanding complex problems in human health? Do you want to advocate for change and help to improve health outcomes for individuals and populations?
If the answer is yes then the BSc Health and Medical Sciences could be for you. Our course is designed to enable students to address current local and global problems in health through the integrated perspectives of Health Science and Medical Science to create multi-disciplinary solutions.
Overview
The BSc in Health and Medical Sciences will help you address current local and global problems in health through the integrated perspectives of health science, and medical science. It will equip you with the vital skills to be able to make a valuable contribution and impact on health in our society, both locally and globally. Case-based learning, a signature educational approach for Warwick Medical School, and small group teaching feature heavily in the delivery of the course.
"The world-leading research that we conduct in medical and health sciences, and in clinical trials make WMS the ideal place for our innovative approach to education. Our educational expertise has been honed and refined in our successful medical and post-graduate programmes. We are confident that our BSc Health and Medical Sciences programme offers something distinctive and valuable, and equips students with the knowledge and skills that are needed for a range of careers in health, research and beyond.." Hear more from our course director.
Dr Hollie White
Course Director
Why study Health and Medical Sciences at Warwick?
- You will learn from highly regarded researchers who are experts in their field.
- You will develop a set of highly transferable skills that are sought after by employers including interpersonal skills; critical thinking; ability to be able to synthesise evidence and information across disciplines and from multiple perspectives; team working; ability to construct novel solutions or transfer solutions across settings to solve problems; time management; project planning and delivery; digital literacy and the ability to scrutinise digital solutions from different viewpoints; analytical and numerical skills and advanced communication skills, including the ability to inform multiple and varied audience types.
- You will benefit from a variety of teaching and assessment methods incorporating case-based learning, small group learning, technology enhanced learning and independent enquiry based learning.
- The University of Warwick is consistently ranked highly in university league tables:
- We are the 3rd most targeted university by the UK’s top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2020, High Fliers Research Ltd)
- We are ranked 4th in Europe for teaching in The Times Higher Education (THE) teaching rankings with only Oxford, Cambridge and the Sorbonne ranked higher.
- We were ranked 7th overall among UK research universities in the most recent Research Excellence Framework.
Course structure
The course addresses current local and global problems in health through the integrated perspectives of health and wellbeing science and medical science, covering six main thematic areas:
- Non-communicable diseases
- Infectious disease
- Physical health
- Mental health
- Nutrition
- Civil strife and displacement
We will teach you to understand the underpinning science, identify real-life solutions, enable their application and act as facilitators and analysts to make a valuable contribution and ultimately make a positive impact on our health in society. The diagram below outlines the structure and pathways.
How will I learn?
The course encourages engagement and active involvement in a broad range of structured and specifically designed learning activities centred around real-world cases. This case-based learning approach will allow you to develop problem-solving skills and integrate your learning, working closely with your peers in small teams.
As an additional feature of the course, some of the content will be delivered wholly online to give flexibility and to develop personal responsibility in your studies. Directed learning activities, project work, additional reading and reflection as well as preparations for group work and assessed elements will take up the rest of your time.
Find out more about how you will learn on the course including examples of cases you might encounter.
Class size
As a new course we expect the class size to be around 50 for full cohort sessions. Case-based learning and other small group activities will be in groups of around 10 students.
How will I be assessed?
The course includes a mix of examinations, written course work, presentations and skill-based assessment types. Many modules have more than one assessment type, so that you can convey your understanding of module material in diverse ways as we all learn in different ways.
Find out more about the assessment strategy.
Entry requirements
2023 Entry
A level:
- Either AAB including one subject or ABB including two subjects from: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Physical Education, Statistics (Biology is recommended).
IB:
- 34 overall including 5 in one Higher Level subject out of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or Sports, Exercise and Health Science or 32 overall including 5 in two Higher Level subjects from the list above (Biology is recommended).
BTEC:
We consider applications from students taking BTECs on a case by case basis. The following subject areas are of interest as part of our review: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Health and Social Care, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Physical Education, Statistics.
Contextual data and differential offers
Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.
Warwick Scholars Programme
We support Warwick Scholars Programme.
UCAS code: B990
Award: Degree of Bachelor of Science
Duration: 3 years full time (30 weeks per year)
Location of study: University of Warwick
Contact us: wms.hms@warwick.ac.uk
The course is designed to enable you to address current local and global problems in health through the integrated perspectives of health and medical sciences, aligned to the following problem areas; non-communicable disease, infectious disease, physical health, mental health, nutrition, and civil strife and displacement.
Years one and two have no wet lab component. In year three you can decide the topic and type of project you would like to do for your dissertation. For example you can conduct a laboratory based research project in the area of biomedical sciences and biomedicine, focused group studies, analysis of patient data or you may wish to undertake a literature review. Explore the modules below to find out more about the areas you will study.
Year one
In your first year, you will study five core modules.
Year two
In your second year, you will study four core modules and will have the opportunity to choose an optional module.
Year three
In your third year, you will study six core modules.
We will work together with you to identify your support needs as you progress through the curriculum. We will identify any areas where you need additional support and we will provide that support. There will be a focus on contact and personal development time, enabling you to work with expert academics with an adaptable approach. Warwick has an extensive range of student support services, including: Counselling Services, Students’ Union Advice Centre, Mental Health Coordinators, Chaplaincy, Disability Services and many more.
To help you settle in, you will be allocated an academic member of staff as a personal tutor. Your personal tutor normally stays with you throughout your degree and is your first point of call for any academic queries or concerns. Regular contact with your personal tutor throughout your course provides one-to-one support for your academic work and career development. Our senior tutors will also work alongside your personal tutors to ensure your welfare and wellbeing while you are studying with us.
Read our staff biographies to find out more about the teaching staff on the course. The team talk about their backgrounds, interests, current research and why they are passionate about teaching on the Health and Medical Sciences course.
Open Days
Our open days give you the chance to hear more about the course, meet staff and students, visit the Medical School, tour the campus and get a real feel for life at Warwick. We hold four open days per year, and our next two for 2023 will be in October. Find out more.
Live chats
We hold regular live online chats where you can chat to members of our course teams and ask any questions you may have. If you'd like to attend a chat please register your interest and we'll let you know when the next session is booked.Contact us
Want to find out more? If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Graduates will be positioned to move into a range of work areas which impact on health, including, but not limited to:
- Public Health, health promotion and surveillance
- Corporate social responsibility
- Industrial and graduate training programmes in health
- Non-governmental organisations
- Health service management and administration
- Biomedical or health sciences research
- Community engagement and transformation in health
- Graduate entry to health and clinical education programmes