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Intercalated Experimental Pathology

Entry Year: 2025

Key information

Degree
BSc (Intercal)
Duration
1 years
Start
September 2025
UCAS code
B160
Institution code
Q50
Entry Requirements
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£29,950
Funding information
Paying your fees

Overview

Advance your understanding of major diseases of the modern world and the latest research into treatments.

Our intercalated BSc in Experimental Pathology gives students already taking a medical or dental degree the chance to achieve an additional degree in this specialist field in just one year.

The programme is ideal if you want to specialise in the study of disease. It is designed to give you a thorough grounding in specific areas of experimental pathology, covering some of the major diseases of the modern world – from Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative diseases to Cancer.

Teaching emphasises the importance of research and experimentation, and how the latest technological innovations can benefit patients. Core modules include Experimental Neuropathology, Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Cancer Biology, with a range of option modules including Biocompatibility and Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine and the Molecular Basis of Personalised Medicine.

You'll undertake your own original research project under supervision over a six-month period, which will allow you to think creatively and develop skills such as work planning, forming hypotheses and analysing data.

Apply now for intercalated degrees

Apply by 1 February 12 noon to start your intercalated degree in September.

Intercalated degrees

Structure

You can start your one-year intercalated Experimental Pathology BSc after the second, third or fourth years of your MBBS, BDS or BVetMed.

Year 1

Compulsory

  • Cancer Biology
  • Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
  • Experimental Neuropathology
  • Research Project

Choose one from

  • Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
  • Molecular Basis of Personalised Medicine
  • Biocompatibility

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Intercalated degrees

An intercalated degree will broaden your studies as you gain an additional qualification.

It will also:

  • strengthen your application if you wish to take the highly competitive academic Foundation Year route into clinical research or education and teaching
  • help you to progress into postgraduate training within your chosen speciality
  • develop your scientific awareness, with an opportunity to carry out original research
  • allow you to experience your chosen field and be sure it’s right for you.

Find out more about intercalated degrees

Testimonial

Experimental Pathology has given me in-depth knowledge in stem cell technology, cancer biology, neuropathology, cardiovascular pathophysiology. The stem cell module was captivating and I now understand how engineered stem cells treat diseases. Similarly, other modules tackle the latest developments, like targeted cancer therapies or the elasticity theory in cardiovascular aging. Supervision for research was first-class and I quickly performed techniques like cell culture, Western immunoblotting, FACS. This experience increased the chance research will be part of my medical career and improved my writing/presentation skills.

Rishab Notaney, Intercalated Experimental Pathology (2023)

Teaching

Teaching and learning

You'll receive approximately three hours of weekly contact time per taught module, comprising formal lectures – including from colleagues in the NHS and, in some cases, specialists from abroad.

For every hour spent in class, you'll complete a further six hours of independent study.

Assessment

Assessment typically includes a combination of exams, coursework and project write up.

Resources and facilities

The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies. You’ll be based in the Blizard Building, which houses state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff including open-plan research laboratories, a 400-seat lecture theatre and a café.

You’ll also have access to:

  • the Queen Mary Whitechapel library, a beautiful and peaceful study space
  • QMPlus, our virtual learning environment, which provides a forum for students and tutors to interact and where lecture notes and handout material are made available electronically
  • dedicated staff who are available to discuss any academic or personal issues you may have during study.

Entry requirements

Intercalated degrees are for undergraduate students currently enrolled in the MBBS or BDS programmes at Queen Mary, or at another medical, dental or veterinary school.

Medical students
You must have completed 2, 3 or 4 years of the MBBS course (1 or 2 years of a graduate entry programme) and passed all years to date.

Dental students
You must have completed 2, 3 or 4 years of the BDS course and passed all years to date. You must also have completed all continuous assessment and have satisfactory annual progress reviews.

Veterinary students
Veterinary students are welcome to apply.

All students
Satisfactory performance in, and completion of, all student-selected components (SSCs).

Selection
Students who meet the criteria will be asked to attend an interview.

Where there is competition for places, students will be ranked on their exam results to date and their interview performance.

How to apply
See full information on how to apply for intercalated degrees.

Non-UK students

Students from the UK and overseas are welcome to apply for our intercalated degrees.

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Further information

Find out more about our intercalated degrees.

Funding

Loans and grants

UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for from Student Finance England or other government bodies.

Bursaries

Medical and dental students from Barts and The London will be considered for various bursaries based on research interests, financial need or academic merit.

These bursaries are not available to students from other medical schools, or to Barts and The London students who choose to intercalate externally.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

  • additional sources of funding
  • planning your budget and cutting costs
  • part-time and vacation work
  • money for lone parents.

Careers

With its focus on research, this programme forms a strong basis for careers in academic medicine. Your in-depth understanding of major diseases such as cancer and heart disease will be also be an advantage in clinical work.

About the School

The Blizard Institute is the largest institute within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. We aim to deliver excellence in all aspects of research, teaching and clinical service: our research output is ranked joint first in the UK for hospital based clinical research and first in London for health services research.

We work in partnerships with neighbouring NHS Trusts, healthcare professionals and local communities on research to address the health needs of our local population.

The Global Public Health Unit brings together leading researchers and teachers in public health policy, all of whom share a commitment to reducing health inequalities and promoting universal health care in and beyond the UK.

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