Course details
A Levels AAB Other entry requirementsUCAS code C431
Duration 3 years
Fee Look up tuition fee and additional costs
Related subjects Biomedical Science Medicine Biology Developmental and Cell Biology Medical Genetics Genetics
Any questions?
Principal Admissions Tutor (Genetics)
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Telephone +44 (0)114 222 2740
Email mbb@sheffield.ac.uk
Website sheffield.ac.uk/biosciences/undergraduate/courses/genetics
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
1st in the UK for medically related research
Research Excellence Framework 2014
Top 7 in the UK for biological sciences
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019
Course description
Our Medical Genetics degree provides a broad grounding in genetics and the other molecular biosciences, together with a range of advanced modules that focus on topics of medical relevance.
In the first year, you'll take a broad-based programme that covers a range of areas in the molecular biosciences. At the end of the first year, before you specialise in years two and three, you're free to transfer between any of the courses in the department. You're not tied to the degree you originally registered for.
In the second year, you'll study your chosen subjects in more depth and develop your practical skills. In the third year there is a practical project. This could involve laboratory research, computing, clinical diagnostics, science communication, or school teaching, depending on your career aspirations.
You can graduate after three years with a BSc degree, or you can choose the optional fourth year, which leads to an MBiolSci qualification. The four-year MBiolSci has Advanced Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology, has more focus on laboratory skills, and includes an extensive research project, which can be based in a university or industrial lab. You can transfer in either direction between the three and four-year course during years one to three.
This course is one of a range of courses in the molecular biosciences offered by the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
If you want to study medical genetics, but don't meet the entry requirements to go straight into the first year, our Biosciences with a Foundation Year could be for you. After successfully completing the one-year programme, you'll progress onto the first year of your chosen degree.
Financial help from the University - bursaries
If you're a UK student, you could be entitled to a University bursary. A bursary is the same as a grant - you don't have to pay it back.
Entry requirements
Qualification | Grades |
---|---|
A Levels | AAB, including two science subjects |
A Levels + additional qualifications | ABB, including two sciences + B in a relevant EPQ; ABB, including Chemistry and another science + A in Core Maths |
International Baccalaureate | 34 with 6, 5 in Higher Level Chemistry and another science |
BTEC | Interim-reformed: DD in Applied Science + A Level grade A in a science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Maths and Further Maths) + interview. Reformed: DDD in Applied Science, including modules in Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry and Practical Chemical Analysis and no more than one of the following: Forensic Evidence Collection and Analysis, Forensic Fire Investigation or Forensic Traffic Collision Investigation + interview |
Cambridge Pre-U | D3 D3 M2, including two science subjects |
Scottish Highers + 2 Advanced Highers | AAABB + AB, including two science subjects |
Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels | B + AA, including two science subjects |
Access to HE | Entry requirements for mature students |
Other qualifications |
Other UK qualifications
Other EU/international qualifications |
Other requirements
|
|
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department |
Modules - what you study and when
The modules listed below are examples from the last academic year. There may be some changes before you start your course. For the very latest module information, check with the department direct.
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology website
First year
Core modules:
Practical Molecular Bioscience 1 | |
Biochemistry | |
Genetics | |
Microbiology | |
Molecular Biology | |
Second year
Core modules:
Practical Molecular Bioscience 2 | |
Biochemistry 2 | |
Biostructures, Energetics and Synthesis | |
Genes, Genomes and Chromosomes | |
Genetics 2 | |
Third year
Core modules:
Project | |
Genetics Data Handling | |
Genome Stability and Genetic Change | |
Human Reproduction and Fertility | |
Literature Review | |
Molecular Immunology | |
The Genetics of Human Disease | |
Optional modules:
Biochemical Basis of Human Disease | |
Biochemical Signalling | |
Genetic pathways from zygote to organism | |
Genetics of Cell Growth and Division | |
Genomic Science | |
Human Evolutionary Genetics | |
The World of RNA | |
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers.
In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.
Learning and assessment
These figures give an indication of how you'll learn and be assessed. They're a combined average of all the years of the course. The learning and assessment percentages could vary depending on the modules you choose.
Learning | |
Scheduled teaching | 32% |
Independent study | 68% |
Placement | 0% |
Assessment |
|
Exams/tests | 77% |
Coursework | 18% |
Practical | 5% |
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Molecular biology crosses the boundaries of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and medical science. Our courses will give you the skills to be part of new developments within these fields throughout your career.
We'll challenge you to achieve your very best. We have small tutorial groups to support your learning, extensive practical experience, and a project in the third year that could involve laboratory research, computing, clinical diagnostics, science communication, or school teaching, depending on your career aspirations.
The course lets you combine topics from biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, so you develop a wide-ranging knowledge of the molecular biosciences. However, the first year is common to all of our courses, meaning that you're not tied to the course you register for. At the end of the first year, you can transfer to any course in the department: Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, and combinations of these subjects.
What our graduates do
Many of our graduates are employed in pharmaceuticals and health care, food safety and manufacture, brewing and agrochemicals, forensic science and as NHS scientists. They also work in education, the scientific civil service, bioinformatics or medical schools. Others use their skills in management and commerce. Many choose further study and go on to do research for organisations all over the world.
Student profile
Your degree puts you at the heart of the discoveries we are making in the molecular biosciences. The world-leading academics who teach our courses are here to help equip you for careers in areas that include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, medicine, agrochemicals, food and genetics.
"The module choices allow you to be specific to a particular field such as biochemistry or to gain a broader knowledge across several fields such as genetics and molecular cell biology."
Jason Brocklesby
Apply for this course
Make sure you've done everything you need to do before you apply:
How to apply >When you're ready to apply, see the UCAS website:
ucas.com >Contact us
Principal Admissions Tutor (Genetics)
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Telephone
+44 (0)114 222 2740
Email
mbb@sheffield.ac.uk
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