The future of biomedical innovation
Study Personalised Medicine at Ulster University in the United Kingdom.
Personalised Medicine (also known as stratified medicine or precision medicine) is at the cutting edge of a new era in healthcare.
Personalised Medicine draws on molecular biology, data analytics and clinical practice to streamline healthcare, identifying ‘the right treatment, for the right person, at the right time.
By learning how genes, lifestyle and the environment influence disease and affect the success of treatments, we can understand which treatments are best for each patient. Personalised Medicine involves discovering biomarkers (such as genes or proteins) that can determine who is at risk of developing a disease, how severe the disease will be and who will respond better to one therapy versus another, revolutionising how quickly patients receive effective treatment and transforming the efficiency of healthcare.
Our course is taught by a team of experienced and active research scientists, with contributions from industry experts and hospital doctors. Our course received 100% overall satisfaction in the 2019 National Student Survey and 90% of graduates were in full time work or study within 6 months of graduation.
To learn more about our course, watch our video here.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
The Personalised Medicine BSc Hons is a three-year, full-time course (or four years including placement in third year) that equips you with a 360-degree skill set across biomedical science, data science and clinical practice to prepare you for a career in the life sciences.
In year one students study six modules that establish a strong foundation in topics such as physiology, cell biology, immunology, data analytics and the ‘omics’ (genomics, proteomics and metabolomics).
Year two consists of six modules that develop your expertise further, with deeper data analytics and new informatics skills and the exploration of pharmacogenomics, DNA sequencing and the governance of clinical trials.
An optional placement year is available in year three that provides a wide range of opportunities for students to experience professional practice and to develop project management skills in an industrial, hospital or university environment.
Final year provides essential experience of neurology, clinical decision making, healthcare economics and the opportunity to complete a research project (in one of data analysis, clinical science or basic science) with one of our active research groups.
This course will give you an in-depth understanding of disease systems, molecular pharmacology, genetic/proteomic biomarker discovery and validation, bioinformatics and data analytics applied to large patient and ‘omic’ datasets ('big data').
You will exit this course with a highly sought-after combination of expertise in biomedicine, bioinformatics and data analytics and will be well-equipped to become part of a rapidly expanding workforce on the cutting edge of scientific and medical progress. You will be well positioned for a career in research, the health service, and the pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries.
The programme incorporates professional skills development in collaboration with a dedicated Industrial Liaison Committee, comprising over 30 industrial partners located throughout the UK, Ireland and the US, including companies like Randox Laboratories, Almac Diagnostics, GlaxoSmithKline and Aridhia.
Your future career will undoubtably improve patients’ quality of life through the development of better healthcare and smarter technologies to treat and manage diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer and immune disease.
BSc Personalised Medicine is delivered by a research active lecturing team, all with PhDs in relevant subject areas and with professional body recognition.
More widely, the University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (18%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2019-2020.
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Full time
Teaching is delivered by staff primarily through lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes, with additional presentations from industry and healthcare professionals.
Course materials are available online, offering you the flexibility to study at your own pace, any place and time. The course is assessed in a number of ways to allow us to provide you with valuable feedback on your progress including class tests, coursework, lab practicals and formal examinations.
All students are assigned a studies advisor who provides personal support and pastoral care during their studies.
Our course achieved 100% overall satisfaction in the 2019 National Student Survey and 90% of our graduates were either in full time work or study 6 months after graduation.
Our course is delivered and managed by the following team. All team members are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr Priyank Shukla, Course Director, Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Bioinformatics)
Dr Steven Watterson, Associate Course Director, Lecturer in Computational Biology (Hypertension)
Dr Paula McClean, Academic Lead, Senior Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Diabetes and Mental Health)
Dr David Gibson, Senior Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Dr William Duddy, Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Bioinformatics)
Dr Elaine Murray, Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Mental Health),
Dr Sarah Atkinson, Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Vision)
Dr Shu-Dong Zhang, Senior Lecturer (Bioinformatics)
Dr Taranjit Singh Rai, Lecturer in Cellular Ageing
Dr Kyle Matchett, Lecturer in Molecular Immunology
Dr Catriona Kelly, Senior Lecturer (Diabetes)
Dr Stephanie Duguez, Senior Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Musculoskeletal Health)
Dr Victoria McGilligan, Senior Lecturer in Stratified Medicine (Inflammatory Disease)
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Enjoy student life in one of Europe's most vibrant cities.
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Our facilities in Magee cater for many sports ranging from archery to volleyball, and are open to students and members of the public all year round.
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At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
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Derry ~ Londonderry campus offers an intimate learning environment.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
Grades BBB if offering one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing
Grades BCC if offering twosubjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing.
Applied Science double award and Life and Health Science double award are acceptable as two science subjects.
QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2012 Suite) in an acceptable science/numerate discipline award profile DDM
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma (2016 Suite) in an acceptable Science/numerate discipline award profile DMM
120 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 5 subjects (4 of which must be at Higher Level) to include English, Maths and Science at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Course Specific Subject requirement for 120 UCAS tariff points
You must be completing one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing.
104 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 5 subjects (4 of which must be at Higher Level) to include English, Maths and Science at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
Course Specific Subject requirement for 104 UCAS tariff points
You must be completing twosubjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing.
Grades BBBCC if offering one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing
Grades BCCCC if offering twosubjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing.
Applied Science double award and Life and Health Science double award are acceptable as two science subjects.
Grades CCC if offering one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing
Grades CDD if offering twosubjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing.
Applied Science double award and Life and Health Science double award are acceptable as two science subjects.
Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 26 points (to include minimum 13 at higher level) if offering one science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing.
Overall International Baccalaureate profile minimum 24 points(to include minimum 12 at higher level) if offering two science subject from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Applied Science, IT, Digital Technology, Software Systems Development or Computing.
Access course (120 credits) with an overall mark of 60% in an acceptable science/numeracy discipline, to include 60% in Maths 1 & 2
Grade C or 4 or above in English, Maths and a Science
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
A satisfactory health assessment is required.
Acceptable alternative qualifications include:
HND:Pass HND in an acceptable science discipline with overall Merit to include 30 distinctions in level 5 credits
HNC:Pass HNC in an acceptable science discipline with overall Merit to include 60 distinctions in level 4 credits
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University (provided subject requirements as noted above are met). Examples of acceptable combinations include:
2 A Levels and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma
OCR National Diploma and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma
2 A Levels and Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
A Level and BTEC National Diploma
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
Your future
The Personalised Medicine course was created in response to demand from healthcare and industry for graduates with a multidisciplinary skill set. Our Industrial Liaison Committee provides us with continual feedback to ensure that the skills of our graduates align critically with the needs of science, healthcare and industry.
You will exit this course with a highly sought after combination of expertise in disease pathology, laboratory techniques, bioinformatics and data science. You will be equipped to become part of a rapidly expanding workforce on the cutting edge of scientific and medical progress. You will be well positioned for a career in research, the health service, or the pharmaceutical or diagnostics industries.
Your future career will improve the quality of life of patients by contributing to the provision of better healthcare and smarter technologies that treat and manage diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer or immune disease.
An optional placement year is available in the third year of study.
The placement provides a wide range of opportunities for students to experience professional practice and undertake scientifically and commercially relevent project work in an industrial, hospital or university environment.
Students benefit by greatly improving their practical abilities, time management, organisational and interpersonal skills, project management skills and by starting to develop their network of professional contacts. These factors all help to improve employability.
£4,710.00
£9,250.00
£15,840.00
Undergraduate Achievement Award from the Society for Endocrinology.
Health screening and vaccinations
Costs in previous years: £35 - £175 depending on vaccinations required
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
"Being part of a smaller class is such an advantage. You’re a person on this course – you’re not a student number on a set of assessments. The lectures get to know you, you get to know them, and they genuinely want you to do well!" Sarah McDaid-McCloskey, Current undergraduate
“A placement experience has been invaluable. It allowed me to grow as an individual, by putting the working environment into perspective and scoping out the direction of where I would like my career to progress.” Jessica Shaw, Graduate 2020.
"The delivery of course content is interactive and easy to follow, through lectures and laboratory-based practicals, provided by lecturers with vast experience in their individual fields. The lecturers are incredible - delivering stimulating lectures with relevant content, along with their unwavering support and guidance to encourage students to reach their academic and professional goals. Personalised Medicine is truly a one-of-a-kind degree. I would unquestionably recommend Ulster University and Personalised Medicine to anyone; they will not regret enrolling." Sophie Knox, Graduate 2020.
"I would not hesitate to recommend Ulster University, and in particular Personalised Medicine, to anyone. The Personalised Medicine course is packed with a rich variety of modules, carefully selected to give a well-rounded education in programming, medicine, and science – highly sought-after skills in the current and future market. The lecturing staff make the content interesting and easy to engage in. During my time studying, our lecturers supported us throughout, encouraging us to pursue our potential, and providing an approachable and interactive environment in class. Personalised Medicine translates cutting edge scientific, medical and computational approaches to clinical application, it is a course for those who wish to find their passion and make a difference." Meabh O'Shea, Graduate 2018
