Medical Sciences (Top-up degree) BSc

Our BSc Medical Sciences Top-up programme provides a one-year route to a full BSc degree for home and international students with an HND, FdSc, or equivalent qualification in bioscience. Covering key biomedical subjects from haematology to cancer biology, this degree enhances your learning through workshops, authentic assessments, and a short integrated placement. Whether you're aiming for further study or professional growth, you will graduate with the expertise and qualifications valued by employers in healthcare and biomedical sectors.

Why choose this course?

• Enhance your qualifications by converting your HND, FdSc, or equivalent into a full BSc (Hons) in Medical Sciences in just one year

• Innovative and relevant assessments are designed to provide you with a diverse range of key employability skills and attributes

• A wide range of research project choices will enable you to develop key skills in hypothesis-driven study design, data collection and analysis

• Our comprehensive programme of academic and professional development workshops will support you in acquiring and reflecting on key employability skills aligned with your career goals

• Develop skills and academic foundations relevant to postgraduate study and careers in life sciences and healthcare settings

Our Medical Science Top-up programme explores the key pathology disciplines of haematology, clinical biochemistry and medical immunology, as well as more specialist areas of clinical pathology including reproductive science and toxicology.

Optional modules allow you to broaden your understanding of biosciences, covering areas like host-microbe interactions, infectious disease control, molecular oncology, and emerging therapeutic strategies. You also have the option to complete either a flexible work placement module, or a placement module in a school or college for those considering a career in teaching. These placements provide valuable hands-on experience, help you build essential employability skills, and offer insight into real-world professional settings.

You’ll enhance your subject knowledge and develop advanced research skills by undertaking an authentic, hypothesis-driven research project. This includes designing and executing investigations, analysing results, and critically evaluating current scientific literature.

To support your transition to BSc level study, you’ll also complete a zero-credit 'Academic and Professional Development in Bioscience' module. This includes targeted workshops and tutorials focused on literature research, scientific communication, and academic integrity.

Throughout the year, you'll benefit from guest lectures, alumni career talks, and weekly research seminars delivered by world-leading researchers and educators working at the forefront of bioscience.

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.

Course Modules

For a list of indicative modules please visit the course page on the Keele University website.