BSc Integrative Biomedical Sciences (based in China)

Biomedical scientists use skills and knowledge from a range of related disciplines like:

• physiology
• pharmacology
• neuroscience

Research in biomedical science is key to understanding physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. It is also crucial to disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

The aim of this dual award programme is to produce highly-skilled scientists who will be future leaders in biomedical sciences.

Year 1

This year's theme is 'the importance of biomedical sciences to medicine and health'.

You will learn about:

• fundamental concepts in biomedical sciences
• the structure and functions of the major organ systems
• key concepts in molecular and cell biology

You will take the following compulsory courses:

• Integrative Biomedical Sciences 1
• Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology 1
• Advanced Mathematics
• Chemistry

You will complement this knowledge with one option from a choice of two elective courses:

• Introduction to Biomedical Informatics 1
• Biomedical Horizons

Year 2

This year's theme is 'foundational understanding of biomedical sciences'.

You will build on your knowledge and skills, learning about:

• the theory and practice of techniques in basic and applied biomedical science research
• key concepts in biology, such as development, evolution and the genetic basis of life
• important body systems
• modern human molecular genetics
• the fundamental characteristics of microorganisms involved in human disease

You will take the following compulsory courses:

• Applied Biomedical Sciences 2
• Integrated Functions of Body Systems 2
• Building an Organism 2
• Biomedical Genetics 2
• Microorganisms and Immunity 2

Year 3

This year's theme is 'developing knowledge from experiment'.

You will continue to develop the following attributes of a biomedical scientist:

• depth and breadth of knowledge
• analytical and critical skills
• communication
• research and enquiry

This year features a strong practical component. You will develop your practical laboratory skills and your understanding and application of experimental design.

You will take three compulsory courses:

• Integrative Biomedical Sciences 3
• Human Disease: From Research to Clinic 3A
• Human Disease: From Research to Clinic 3B

Plus two optional courses from the following:

• Principles of Neuroscience 3
• Molecular Biology and Epigenetics 3
• Endocrine and Reproductive Biology 3
• Infection 3

Year 4

This year's theme is 'research in practice'.

You will take the following compulsory courses:

• Integrative Biomedical Sciences 4
• Integrative Biomedical Sciences Project Preview
• Integrative Biomedical Sciences Research Project
• Future Perspectives 4

These aim to reinforce and extend your knowledge, critical thinking and communication skills.

You will also take two optional courses that discuss cutting-edge topics in-depth, choosing from:

• Biomedical Image Analysis
• Brain, Cognition and Artificial Intelligence
• Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases
• Cancer Biology
• Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine

With one-to-one support from a supervisor, you will complete a major research project involving original laboratory-based research.

Our facilities

Your studies will take place in state-of-the-art facilities at the Zhejiang University International Campus.

Situated in Haining, China, between Hangzhou and Shanghai, the campus has students from more than 50 countries. It features:

• newly built and well-equipped spaces for teaching and learning
• newly built, well-equipped research and teaching laboratories
• on-site accommodation
• extensive library and sporting facilities

How will I be assessed?

We use in-course assessments and exams in all years.

Assessment can take the form of:

• individual or group projects
• presentations
• written submissions such as essays
• lab-based practical work
• degree examinations

Your degree classification for your University of Edinburgh degree will be based on your performance in Years 3 and 4.

Your degree classification for your Zhejiang University degree will be based on your performance over the four years of the programme.

Many biomedical sciences graduates go on to further study before entering academic or industry-based research careers, or healthcare-related professions.

Graduates generally enter employment that requires:

• an understanding of biomedical processes
• the ability to research novel questions using scientific literature and data collected from scientific experiments

These careers include:

• laboratory research
• disease diagnosis
• the pharmaceutical industry
• scientific publishing

The skills and knowledge you will gain on this programme also equip you for employment in the non-science sector, including:

• teaching
• marketing
• accountancy
• policy research

Applications and admissions for Chinese nationals will be through the usual Chinese national university admission process.

International applicants (non-Chinese passport holders)

These are the requirements that students must have (or be predicted to attain) to be considered for entry. Each year there is a specific number of places available and where the number of applicants exceeds the number of places then a selection process based on academic achievement, personal statement and references will be used. Meeting the entry requirement does not guarantee a place on the programme.

SQA Highers: AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6, to include Biology and Chemistry at B. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Higher Mathematics or Physics and Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry are recommended. National 5s: Mathematics at B and English at C.

A levels: AAB, in one year, to include Biology and Chemistry at B. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6 and English at C or 4.

IB: 34 points with 655 at HL to include Biology and Chemistry, one at 5 and one at 6. Mathematics or Physics is recommended. SL: English at 5 and Mathematics: Analysis and approaches or Mathematics: Applications and interpretation at 5.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 59 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Additional costs

You will be responsible for the cost of your accommodation and living expenses on the International Campus of Zhejiang University in Haining, China.

Fees and scholarships

You can find information about fees and scholarships for this programme on the ZJU-UoE Institute website:

ZJU-UoE Institute - fees and scholarships

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• ZJE International Admissions Team
• Email: zje_apply@zju.edu.cn
• Phone: (+86) 0571-87572810
• Web: Integrative Biomedical Sciences (based in China) website