Enter OTP
4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of EdinburghThe Biological Sciences (Immunology) BSc (Hons) explores how the immune system responds to infection, cancer, and transplantation, equipping students with practical knowledge of immune mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. It’s an excellent fit for students passionate about solving real-world health challenges using research, diagnostics, and biotechnology.
Curriculum structure
Year 1
Discover the foundations of immunology through courses like Biology 1A: Variation and Biology 1B: Life, delivered via interactive labs, workshops, and field sessions (e.g., Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh). You’ll also begin building essential skills—data analysis, programming, problem-solving, and scientific communication—across the broader spectrum of biological sciences.
Year 2
Continue to develop your understanding of core biological concepts while gaining flexibility: you can explore modules across various subject areas before narrowing into immunology. This ensures a broad scientific grounding before specialising.
Year 3
Your third year brings focused immunology study—examining the innate and adaptive immune systems, the genetic drivers of antigen diversity, and the make-up of the mammalian immune system. It's delivered via a blend of lectures, tutorials, practical work, and early preparation for your research project.
Year 4 (Honours Year)
The honours year crystallizes your learning in an independent research project within a laboratory, complemented by advanced immunology modules. This final stage emphasizes experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific synthesis, preparing you for careers in research or postgraduate study.
Focus areas (string):
"Immune system structure and function, innate and adaptive immunity, antigen diversity, immunogenetics, immunoregulation, immune-based therapies and applications."
Learning outcomes (string):
"Understand immune mechanisms, conduct lab-based immunology investigations, analyse immune-system data, communicate scientific findings, and carry out independent research."
Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme is not professionally accredited, but it strongly develops transferable research, analytical, and technical skills highly sought in immunology research, biotechnology, healthcare, and academic fields.
Reputation (employability / rankings):
The University of Edinburgh is ranked among the UK’s top 5 and world’s top 25 for Biological Sciences in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025—evidence of strong teaching and career outcomes.
From week one, you'll immerse yourself in hands-on immunology through weekly lab sessions and interactive workshops that build your confidence in practical techniques, ethical awareness, scientific writing, and creative problem-solving. This program ensures you don’t just learn about immune systems—you apply, question, and innovate in real scientific settings:
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Weekly practical laboratory sessions and group workshops: You'll learn essential lab techniques and research skills while collaborating, reflecting on your progress, and creatively solving new biological challenges.
Ethics, communication & creative reflection: These sessions are designed to refine your writing, ethical understanding, and scientific thinking—not just the practical skills.
Hands-on field learning: Engage with biological systems beyond the lab, including field work (like visits to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh) that enrich your understanding of organisms in context.
Proximity to research institutes at King’s Buildings: Based within a campus home to the Institute of Immunology & Infection, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, and others, you benefit from an ecosystem of leading science.
Access to rich research networks: With over 130 research groups, including those at the Institute of Immunology & Infection, you're connected to vibrant research activity from day one.
Graduates often step confidently into roles such as Immunologist, Research Technician, Clinical Scientist, or Science Communicator, bringing strong lab practice, ethical reasoning, and data skills to their first jobs. This programme empowers you to do so with both university-led support and connections to world-class research environments:
Career Support Services: Edinburgh’s Careers Service delivers tailored 1:1 advice, CV/interview preparation, alumni networking, and employer events—including an October Careers Week and additional themed fairs—accessible during your studies and for 2 years after graduation.
Real-World Experience: You can pursue internships during holidays (with Careers Service help) and even study abroad in Year 3, enhancing your international perspective and employability.
Research & Industry Integration: Shaped around the Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, and affiliation with Edinburgh BioQuarter, your degree embeds you in networks that feed into healthcare, biotech, and translational research sectors.
Graduate Outcomes & Salary Potential: While immunology-specific figures aren’t isolated, Biological Sciences alumni at Edinburgh earn between £21,000–£29,000 within 15 months of graduating, rising towards £31,500 by year 5.
Academic Prestige & Long-Term Value: Edinburgh is consistently ranked among the UK’s top 5 and world’s top 25 in Biological Sciences (QS World Rankings). Your degree carries strong academic credibility and recognition.
Further Academic Progression
If you're considering further study, your Honours experience in immunology positions you well for options like MSc programmes in Immunology, Infection Biology, or Global Health, or competitive PhD research through initiatives such as Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health or One Health Models of Disease, often linked with the Institute of Immunology and Infection Research.
UCAS Application, UCAS Personal Statement, UCAS Reference, A Levels: ABB. GCSEs: English at Grade B or 6. Mathematics or Physics at Grade B or 6. Test scores: IELTS, TOEFL, PTEScottish Highers (Typical) – AABB by end of S5, with Biology and Chemistry at B, plus an A in one of Biology, Chemistry, Applications of Mathematics, or Physics; Advanced Highers recommendedA-Levels – Offer range AAA–ABB, including Biology and Chemistry at grade B, with grade A required in one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or PhysicsGCSE/National 5 – Mathematics or Physics at grade B (or 6) and English at grade C (or 4)No interview requirement—applicants for Immunology are not required to be interviewed (interviews are reserved for programmes like Medicine, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine)sh language admission criteria for the Biological Sciences (Immunology) BSc (Hons) at the University of Edinburgh. These are officially listed on the University’s pages: English Language Requirements IELTS Academic – Overall 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each component. The University does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake.TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) – Overall 92, with a minimum of 20 in each component. The University does not accept TOEFL MyBest Score.Assistant Professor of ImmunologyResearcher in ImmunogenomicsResearch AssociateImmunologistProfessor in Biomedical SciencesClinical Scientist in ImmunologyVaccine Development SpecialistBiomedical Laboratory ScientistPharmaceutical Research ScientistBiotech Product Development Manager
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