Intercalated BSc
The Centre for Biomedical Sciences Education delivers undergraduate Bachelor of Science degrees in Biomedical Science and Human Biology, and Intercalated Degrees are part of this organisation. The Intercalated BSc in Medical Sciences is a degree taken between two years of a medical or dental course. The year is equivalent to the final year of a degree in a human biology. The degree awarded is a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and depending on performance, this is graded as a 1st Class Honours or Second Class Honours, Upper Division (2.1) or Second Class Honours, Lower Division (2.2) or 3rd Class Honours.
Timing of Intercalated BSc degrees
The first two years of a medical or dental course with the addition of the intercalated year fulfil the requirement of three years study for the award of an undergraduate BSc degree. Intercalated degrees are usually taken after the end of the 2nd or 3rd year of the medical or dental curriculum. It is also possible to do an intercalated degree between 4th and 5th year, but not usually recommended as this would break up the flow of the main clinical teaching.
Selection for Intercalated BSc degree courses
At the time when places are finally agreed (end June) for the following academic year, there should normally be no resit examinations outstanding. Acceptance onto a degree course is subject to the agreement of the relevant degree co-ordinator and final approval by the Head of School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences. Students will be informed of the decision in early July. Please refer to frequently asked questions for full application process and forms.
Project work: iBSc in Medical Science
Project work is carried out under the direct supervision of a member of academic staff, and on a day to day basis, research or technical personnel are available to provide support. The areas available for project work reflect the research interests of the academic staff in the teaching area involved. Most research is laboratory-based, but there are limited opportunities for clinical projects in a number of areas. Allocation of projects occurs prior to the beginning of the academic year, often during the summer vacation or much earlier if funding is sought (see later), and preliminary discussions should take place with supervisors during the previous academic year. In the organisation of projects, particular interests of the student will be taken into consideration, if at all possible. If a particular project of interest has already been taken up, degree co-ordinators will suggest alternatives.
Details of project areas / specific projects for 2026-27 will be available in December 2025. Additional projects may become available as the academic year progresses and will be added to this list.
Assessment and examinations
The taught modules are assessed using a mixture of coursework and written examinations. Students will normally be allowed to present themselves once only for the examinations during the intercalated year of study. The research project is assessed by means of a dissertation and also by an oral presentation given as part of a research symposium. Dissertations are normally read by the external examiner in the subject.
Student mentoring
At the beginning of the year, each new student is put in contact with a student who has just completed an intercalated BSc. The student mentor will draw on their recent experience to give general support and guidance when required.
In the context of peer group mentoring, intercalated students are encouraged to develop and maintain a social network with a view to providing a mutual support structure and to share general knowledge and skills.
-
Application Process and forms
The consent of the Course Co-ordinator concerned and the Head of the School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences is required before enrolment.
Medical students should complete a permission to intercalate form no later than 30 January 2026, 4pm. Students should contact Ms Joanna Scott (Student Support and Guidance Officer, Centre for Medical Education, Whitla Medical Building) for further information and a link to the permission to intercalate form. Dental students should ensure that they have met with Professor Gerry McKenna (g.mckenna@qub.a.uk) to discuss their plans for intercalating and complete the application form.
Application Forms
Application Form - With Funding - 2026-27
- Programme Specification and Module Information
The programme specification will contain further details on programmes including the educational aims, learning outcomes and module information. Programme Specifications for 2025-26 are held on Academic Affairs webpages.
Please note that programme specifications, modules offered and module content are subject to change prior to the 2024-25 academic year and should be used as a guide only.
Students must take the following compulsory module:
- Research Project
And a choice of two from:
- Cardiovascular Pathobiology and Treatment - cardiovascular biology and pathology and the evaluation of established and emerging therapies
- Embryology and Developmental Biology - mechanistic understanding of how the human body develops, including stem cells and epigenetics in development of major organ systems
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics - pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicology
- What are the Entry requirements?
A QUB medical or dental student wishing to intercalate must have successfully completed the second or third year of their course and passed all assessments in the year in which they are applying.
Acceptance onto a degree course is subject to submission of an application form and the agreement of the relevant degree co-ordinator and final approval by the Head of School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences.
QUB Medical students applying for permission for a year out of study following year 4: We strongly support students who wish to intercalate on completion of Year 4. This aligns with the C25 curriculum and is an option for students who pass the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)at the first attempt. Students who pass the AKT are strongly encouraged to proceed with intercalation. Students who do not pass the AKT at the first attempt, will not be permitted to intercalate and must progress directly into Final Year (2026/27).
- I am currently not a student at Queen's University. Can I come to Queen's to study for the intercalated BSc Degree?
External applicants, in addition to providing the normal application form, must also complete a Direct Entry application form which will be provided by the School Office on request. This should be completed and submitted to the QUB Admissions Office.
As with internal applicants, there should be no outstanding examinations/assessments and written confirmation from the applicant's institution that they are permitted to undertake the intercalated degree at Queen's must also be provided.
- What projects are available?
Please refer to the Intercalated BSc Project Booklet for details of project areas / specific projects for 2025-26. Additional projects may become available as the academic year progresses and will be added to this list.
-
What is the closing date for applications?
The closing date for applicants also wishing to apply for funding is Friday 30th January 2026. However, the closing date for all the remaining applications is Friday 24 April 2025.
- What are the fees?
Please also refer to the QUB Fees and Funding webpages for guidance on student financial support.
- Prizes for which intercalated students are eligible
British Pharmacological Society Prize: This prize of £1000 is awarded to the student obtaining the best performance in Pharmacology.
The Physiological Society Prize: This prize of £100 is awarded to the student obtaining the best performance in Physiology.
The Ann Green Bequest Prize (Anatomy): This prize of £50 is awarded to the student who produces the best Level 3 research project submission.
Shirodaria Prize (Microbiology): This prize is awarded for performance in the Level 3 course in Virology (BBC3028).
Foundation Scholarship: An amount of £200 is awarded on the basis of the best final mark used for degree classification purposes.
-
Intercalated BSc Semester Dates
Please refer to the University’s webpages for up-to-date dates http://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Semester-dates/
- Who do I contact for more information?
General enquiries to:
Academic Co-ordinator: Dr Clare Foy for Intercalated BSc (Email: c.foy@qub.ac.uk)
Administrative Secretary: Mrs Anne O’Neill for Intercalated BSc (Email: BIOMEDSCI@qub.ac.uk)