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Life Sciences for Subjects Allied to Medicine at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

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2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Course summary

This Certificate of Higher Education in Life Sciences for Subjects Allied to Medicine equips you with a strong foundation in biology and chemistry, preparing you for further study and a career in healthcare and biomedical fields. Why choose this course?

  • You will learn from experienced lecturers with expertise across healthcare and biomedical research, who bring real-world insights into the classroom.
  • You will join a vibrant community of students from diverse backgrounds and also benefit from flexible daytime or evening teaching that fits around your work or personal commitments.
  • Successful completion of this course provides a direct route to our BSc Biomedicine, alongside access to networking events, employer talks, and partnerships with healthcare and research organisations.
What you will learn On this course, you will develop a solid grounding in biology, chemistry and modern learning methods to build the scientific understanding needed for careers in healthcare, nursing, biomedical science etc. You will gain practical skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis and scientific communication, all highly valued by employers and universities. With a focus on real-world healthcare applications and personalised academic support, the course will help you to confidently progress into degree-level study or employment in allied health fields. How you will learn You will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars and hands-on laboratory work, designed to build both theoretical understanding and practical skills. Immersed in a supportive and career-focused learning environment, you will also develop key skills in teamwork, problem-solving and scientific communication. This course is available to study part-time over one or two years with classes running in the afternoon or evening. Highlights
  • On passing this certificate you are guaranteed a place on our BSc Biomedicine.
  • On successful completion, you may also progress to the first year of a variety of degrees, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology as well as all health-related areas, such as radiography, pharmacy, osteopathic medicine, nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, veterinary science, herbal medicine, clinical sciences, biomedicine and biomedical sciences.
  • If you have a good first degree in another area and achieve high marks in your studies on this certificate, you may also be accepted for graduate entry by some medical schools.
  • Birkbeck provides state-of-the-art, specialist laboratories and facilities for studying biological sciences in the heart of academic London.
  • In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in a joint submission with UCL, Biological Sciences at Birkbeck were ranked 11th in the UK, with a research environment supporting world-leading and internationally excellent research.
Careers and employability On graduating successfully from this course you will have gained an array of transferable skills, including:
  • strong scientific literacy and the ability to critically analyse data
  • practical laboratory skills
  • effective written and verbal communication
  • time management, organisation and the ability to meet deadlines.
Studying this course will prepare you for further study in medicine, dentistry or other healthcare-related degrees, or for career paths in a range of fields and professions including:
  • nursing and midwifery
  • biomedical science and laboratory research
  • physiotherapy, radiography and other allied health professions
  • public health, health promotion and community healthcare roles.
Our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at organisations such as the following:
  • NHS trusts and hospitals
  • private healthcare providers and clinics
  • biomedical research labs and pharmaceutical companies
  • public health organisations and charities
  • universities and academic research institutions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the moules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Parts 1 and 2 of each subject are assessed by coursework and tests only, with some assignments completed in class and some at home. Part 3 includes both coursework and a final examination (in early June). The Saturday modules are assessed by coursework (Pass/Fail) only.

How to apply

To apply for this course you will be taken to the provider's website, where you can find out more information and make an application.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience as presented in your application, and on interview. You will need to demonstrate a good level of numeracy and English language skills, as well as a keen interest in the life sciences. Applicants are advised that this is a very intensive course, which requires a high level of commitment. All applicants for this course first have to complete a short, self-assessment exercise at home in biology, chemistry and numeracy (or physics if appropriate) and then attend for interview with course lecturers or the course director. Those offered a place may be required to attend a summer top-up course or complete set pre-coursework to revise and improve their numerical and/or science skills before the start of the modules in September.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £6935 Year 1
Northern Ireland £6935 Year 1
Scotland £6935 Year 1
Wales £6935 Year 1
International £6935 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Life Sciences for Subjects Allied to Medicine at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS