CertHE Medical Sciences (Pre-Med, 1-year)

Biomedical science focuses on how cells, organs and metabolic systems function in the human body. Through this understanding of health and disease processes, new treatments and therapies can be created or developed, which makes it a very dynamic and exciting field of study.

The 1 year Pre-Med is a unique programme taught on the Crewe campus leading to a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE.) in Medical Science qualification. The Pre-Med has been developed for students that wish to enhance their application to medical or dental school and simultaneously complete the first stage of our accelerated 2-year BSc(Hons.) degree.

The course content is identical to the first stage of our 2 year BSc. and successful graduates of this 1 year programme will be awarded 120 credits at level 4 by the University of Buckingham. Students who do not secure a place at a medical or dental school at the end of this year can then opt to transfer directly into the 2nd stage of our unique 2 year BSc. and then re-apply for medical or dental school.

Why is this Pre-Med programme unique?

• Core modules are taught from a clinical perspective which provides students with the theory and experience found among first-year courses at medical or dental school. Students who achieve, or are predicted, at least 70% on all modules of this course will usually meet the academic criteria for some medical schools in the UK. Other non-academic entry criteria must also be met.
• Applicants who have achieved, or predicted, at least 70% on the 1-year Pre-Med will be guaranteed an invitation to the second phase of the University of Buckingham MB ChB Selection Process – MMI. Applicants will also be required to have grade C in English GCSE, or if English is not their first language an IELTS of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component.
• The course also forms the first stage of our unique 2 year BSc, for students who wish to apply for medicine or dentistry as a graduate, pursue their scientific career further or go into employment.

View the handbook

Crewe campus

It is taught at the University of Buckingham’s brand new campus in Crewe, Cheshire in North West England.

The University has, in partnership with Apollo Hospitals Group, acquired the former Manchester Metropolitan University’s campus at Crewe, Cheshire. The campus is a short, 10-minute walk from the train station and off Junction 16 of the M6 motorway. The main campus is 40 acres and includes all the facilities of a modern university campus.

Student accommodation is just a five-minute walk from the main campus at the newly constructed Booth Hall, offering 695 rooms. You can explore Booth Hall further on the Manchester Metropolitan website. Please note, prices for accommodation are subject to change.

Contact us

Each applicant is considered on a case-by-case basis, and an interview may be required.

• A-Level grades of BBC to include Biology and Chemistry (or equivalent e.g. IB score) are normally our standard requirements for entry.
• Equivalent qualifications, such as the Irish Leaving Certificate, the I.B. Diploma and the Scottish Advanced Highers are also accepted. Prospective international applicants with other qualifications should contact us for an individual assessment.
• If English is not a student’s native language, they are normally expected to have passed a recognised test in English to the level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (with not less than 6.0 in each component).
• Students who have passed an approved medical/biomedical foundation are strongly considered for a place.

Please note: If your actual grades fall below these requirements, please contact us to discuss your grades further as we may be able to look into your circumstances and the possibility of an individual plan.

The modules are taught from a clinical perspective which provides students with the theory and experience found among first-year courses at medical or dental school. You will study the following modules:

• Foundations of Medical Science
• Doctors, Patients and Health
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Brain, Muscle and Coordination
• Gut, Hormones and Metabolism
• Circulation and Fluid Balance
• Matter and Energy in Medicine

Successful students who do not apply or secure a place into a medical school can progress onto the second and final year of our 2-year Biomedical Sciences degree. Students who then achieve at least a 2.1 will then have have a high chance of securing a place at medical or dental school.

Home and EU students: £16,000
International students: £18,000

We welcome applications in two different ways – directly via our online application form or through UCAS.

If you’re interested in transferring to Buckingham from another university then please get in touch to talk through your options.

Help and support

If you need any help making your application or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email, or by phone on +44 (0)1280 820227. We are available between 09:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.

You may find it useful to download these great tips from Which University? on writing your personal statement.

Current applicants

If you would like to make any changes to your current application, please contact admissions@buckingham.ac.uk (and make sure you have your application number ready!).