Faculty of Science and Technology

What will you study?

Our Pre-Medical Studies course is designed for students whose A level mix does not allow direct entry to Medicine, or whose circumstances affected their A level performance. It provides opportunities for students from a disadvantaged background or low achieving school or college as well as individuals who display a long term commitment to a career in medicine, for example mature students working in the NHS.

The course is designed to prepare you for successful entry to medical school and your subsequent career. Successful students on the course gain a Certificate in Higher Education.

There is potential for up to seven students from this course to enter the first year of the Liverpool University MBChB medical degree, studying at Lancaster or Liverpool. Subsequent admission to the medical degree is dependent on academic performance on this course and a successful Medical School admissions interview. Currently interviews take place during the Lent term (May).

On this one-year course, students take a total of 15 modules covering a range of subjects including: Anatomy and Tissue Structure; Introduction to Biomedical Science; Genetics; Hormones and Development; Infection and Immunity, and Human Physiology.

Where could it take you?

If you continue on to a medical degree, you can look forward to a career in clinical practice, research, public health and more. Alternatively, transferring to and completing one of our Biomedicine degrees will open up doors in the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry and forensic science and research institutes.

Typical entry requirements

For courses starting in 2013:

Admissions criteria in terms of qualifications are flexible and evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but it is envisaged that the majority of students will be well qualified in terms of A-level points: AAB

An important feature of this programme is that students are selected on the basis of their potential and suitability for medical training, rather than purely on their history of academic performance. This course gives an entry route to medicine for intellectually-able candidates who would not normally get an offer of a place.

For example they may:

- be doing the wrong mix of A-level subjects, e.g. only one science A level in the required group of Biol/Chem/Phys/Math.

- have circumstances that affected their A-level performance

- come from a disadvantaged background or geographical area and performed comparatively well at A-level but not attained the grades necessary for entry to medical school.

- display a long term commitment to a career in medicine, e.g. mature students in the NHS.

All applicants will be interviewed to determine their suitability prior to any offer of admission onto the Premedical Studies course being made. Applicants should be aware that we may seek further support for their application in the form of a dedicated reference from their school / college / employer, etc. Also admission to the medical degree after completion of the course is dependent on performance in terms of course grades and in the separate medical school admissions interview.

Preference will be given to UK and EU applicants. Mature students who already have a degree should have a minimum of a 2.1. Applicants must have at least a B grade at GCSE in Maths and English to be obtained at the first sitting; if these exams are retaken, Grade A in both will be required.

Financial Support

Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. In addition to government maintenance loans, grants and national scholarships, Lancaster University offers a range of financial support for full time UK Undergraduate students from lower-income backgrounds. Many students each year will be entitled to bursaries or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses.

The Lancaster Scholarship package is designed to reward the hard work and natural ability of full-time UK students applying to study with us regardless of their household income. Students achieving A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications) will receive a £1,000 per year Lancaster Scholarship during their undergraduate studies if they place us as their firm choice institution. Continuation of the Lancaster Scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic progression.

Our combined £5,000 bursary package will help students from England whose household incomes are less than £25,000 per year with fees and living costs.

Students from England eligible for our £5,000 bursary package will also be awarded a £3,000 Lancaster Scholarship if they achieve A*, A, A in their A-level examinations (or equivalent academic qualifications). This totals £8,000 of support for students during their studies.

For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page.