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 science 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, going deeper into data analytics and informatics and exploring 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 develop project management skills in an industrial, hospital or university environment.
Final year provides essential experience of neurology, clinical decision making and healthcare economics, and provides the opportunity to complete a research project with one of our active research groups (in one of data analysis, clinical science or basic science).
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.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module aims to provide an introduction to the structure, biochemistry, metabolism and function of key biological macromolecules including nucleic acids, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. Students will construct knowledge of the building blocks of key biochemicals which are essential to cell function and human health. students will explore the relationship between macromolecule structure and function in the context of cell biology, human health and disease. Through practical classes which are designed to complement central concepts, students will have the opportunity to reinforce and develop their theoretical knowledge base.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will introduce fundamental aspects of anatomy and physiology under conditions of health. Students will learn how a range of anatomical systems function in the normal state, which will prepare them for the study of disease pathophysiology in later semesters.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module establishes the fundamental concepts of data handling and analysis . Students will learn the fundamental mathematics required to process and analyse data and the fundamental programming concepts required to implement analysis. This modules will establish a critical level of literacy in applied mathematics and computing that is applicable across all quantitative sciences.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will introduce the basic principles of genetic inheritance, from Mendelian laws to examples of autosomal, sex-linked and maternal human inheritance patterns, and provide a solid grounding in mathematical calculations for assessing the probability of inheriting different types of genetic traits. The topic of epigenetics and trans-generational epigenetic inheritance will also be introduced, alongside a consideration of genetic variation and its relationship to disease susceptibility. The genetics of whole populations will be considered, how allele and genotypic frequencies are calculated, and how they change within a population due to evolutionary pressures. The module will also cover methods for the analysis of large and small-scale DNA changes, as will statistical methods for population-based genetic association mapping. Underlining this will be real world examples of how genetic analysis methods can be applied for biomarker discovery in relation to drug response and disease risk.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module will provide an understanding of computer programming and its use within basic research and applied research and practice.
Year: 1
Status: C
The purpose of this module is to describe key immune/inflammatory disease causes, effects on sufferers, clinical management strategies, molecular pathways of disease and the potential application of stratified medicine.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will introduce the basic principles of how drugs work in the body and how individual variation (including genetics) can hamper this process. This is particularly relevant to the concept of non-response - something that is targeted with stratified medicine. Worked examples of specific disease states will help students understand the complexity of the pharmacological treatment pathways and how stratification may aid these processes.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module develops fundamental knowledge and understanding of statistical and computing methods, training students with the practical skills to implement and/or apply these methods using a statistical computing language to tackle typical data analytic tasks in biomedical sciences and stratified medicine.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will introduce fundamental aspects of disease systems and treatment approaches in stratified medicine covering topics ranging from the classification of disease to current and emerging trends in therapeutics. Through a short report, and regular lab report forms accompanied by extensive verbal and written feedback, the students will put in practice their theory from the lectures and develop skills to identify current and emerging clinical questions for stratified medicine.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module will provide an understanding of biomedical informatics and its use within basic research and applied research and practice.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to provide an introduction to current DNA sequencing methods for the analysis of genes, genomes, epigenomes, microbiomes and transcriptomes, as well as other technologies used for the analysis of proteomes and metabolomes. Key terminologies and definitions are introduced, and the evolution of DNA sequencing platforms from Sanger to more modern day 2nd and 3rd generation methods considered, as well as the application of Mass spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance for proteomic and metabolomics analysis. The module will also provide a basic grounding in computational analysis of NGS sequencing data, and complex high dimensional data for other 'OMIC' methods. Underlining this will be real world examples of how OMIC methods can be applied for biomarker discovery in big data and identification of disease pathways that could be targeted by the development of new drugs or drug repurposing.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module is designed to provide an understanding of the concepts of ethics, research and clinical governance and regulatory processes. The module also covers clinical trial methodology and design. As part of this module students complete Research Integrity training, Human Tissue Act training and the National Institute for Health Research Good Clinical Practice (NIHR GCP) training, which are a legal requirement, to conduct research projects related to human samples from NHS patients, in placements and final year research projects.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This placement experience is designed to provide an insight into the world of work, to consolidate knowledge and skills acquired during the first two years and to promote the development of transferable skills.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module develops key concepts in systems biology and omics data analysis, providing hands-on experience of cutting-edge analytical tools and approaches, with a strong emphasis on making sense of omics data and systems models in their biomedical context. Students will learn the importance of interpreting analytical output in its biological and biomedical context - translating raw data into biological meaning. Graduates will possess a robust conceptual framework that facilitates understanding of analytical approaches across the many different types of omics data, and skills and confidence in their ability to analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate systems biology models and omics data analysis.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module seeks to guide students to use their skills and knowledge acquired to date to (1) challenge the scientific literature, and (2) to generate hypothesis and develop clinical or fundamental research plan, in a disease area of their choice, that may inform future stratification of patients. Through the module students will use their presentation skills, capacity to work together, as well as their capacity to develop and structure ideas.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module explores the development of new personalised medicine products, from idea inception to performance evaluation and clinical uptake. It explores personalised medicine from the regulatory and clinician's point of view, examining existing and emerging technologies and systems. It provides an appreciation of the regulation and clinical guidance which is required to ensure the use of tests are evidence-based and considers the impact of their application to patient management including the economic cost-benefit analysis.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides students with experience of an independent original scientific research study. It provides experience of planning, organisation, conduct, critical analysis and reporting/presentation of research study findings. Students will complete an individual research project on a topic relevant to current research in Personalised Medicine. Graduates will have experienced independent, supervised, original research, and been provided with an opportunity to plan a research project, identify/resolve ethical issues, collect and analyse data, present and defend their findings, and write a scientific paper.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module will integrate and apply bioinformatics skills acquired throughout the course, providing experience of working as a team on computational projects relevant to stratified medicine, and preparing students for such roles in the working environment. Students will use competencies in data analysis gained from the rest of the Personalized Medicine course, and apply these to real-world bioinformatics problems. Graduates will be prepared for entry into biomedical data analysis roles, and be confident to contribute as part of a data analytics team, being capable to integrate and select from a wide range of analytical skills, and to apply those skills in the wider context of Personalized Medicine.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides an overview of aetiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders and integrates this knowledge with an understanding of the role of a personalised medicine approach to clinical management strategies.
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 multidisciplinary skill sets. 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.
2024/25 Fees
Fees for entry in 2024/25 have not yet been set. See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2023/24 entry.
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
