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Why study medical sciences at a medical college?

Medical sciences are all about the study of the human body and the diseases that affect it. A medical sciences program at medical college will explore all the major body systems, looking at how diseases affect the body and searching for solutions to prevent or treat them.

Specialising in medical sciences is perfect for students who want to be at the forefront of the fight against diseases like HIV and cancer, looking for solutions to problems that affect all humans.

What will I study on a medical sciences program?

A medical sciences program will cover many medical topics. Your study will begin by focusing on how the human body functions and what can go wrong with it in diseases. You’ll study different pathologies, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, examining how they attack the body.

As you progress you’ll develop your research skills, such as data analysis and interpretation, before focusing on a particular pathway or theme towards the end of your studies.

Some of the modules you may study include introduction to biomedical science, cellular processes, infection and pharmacology.

Length and structure

Medical science programs can be taken either at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The length of your program will depend on the course, institution and country you choose to study in. However, you should expect an undergraduate medical sciences program to take between 3-4 years to complete, with a postgraduate program taking between 1-3 years.

How can a medical sciences program help my career?

Medical science is a popular and important subject and career. More than 100,000 medical scientists were employed in 2010, with the majority working in scientific research, pharmaceuticals and hospitals.

Graduates initially work in research at university, typically completing research Masters and PhDs and specialising in a particular field. With experience, graduates move into working on clinical trials, biotechnology and even medicine. 

Entry requirements

Different medical colleges in different countries will have their own rules and regulations on entry requirements, but in general you will be expected to have previous qualifications in some of the following: chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics.

You may also be asked to demonstrate the following:

  • High level of numeracy and literacy
  • Successful interview
  • School qualifications in science based subjects

What to do next

If you would like more information on studying a medical sciences program at a medical college, sign up for our Free Application Service. You’ll get advice, tailored programs and application advice on medical colleges around the world.