student using a pipette

An opportunity for medical, dental and veterinary students to gain an in-depth understanding of Immunity and Infection

Enquiries


Course Administrator
Clare Wade
c.wade@imperial.ac.uk 

 

Why study BSc Immunity and Infection at Imperial?

Why study BSc Immunity and Infection at Imperial?
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Application Process

Admissions for 2024-25 entry are now open. The application deadline will be 16:00 on Friday 1 March 2024.

Introduction

Our understanding of infectious diseases and the immune response has been revolutionized by recent discoveries in innate immunity, genetics and genomics, and microbiology. These scientific advances have led to the development of novel immuno-therapeutics and major clinical breakthroughs for the treatment of previously intractable diseases in almost all clinical specialties, including Renal, Rheumatology, Neurology, Transplantation, Cancer, Respiratory and Infectious Diseases.

Immunity and infection research in Imperial College has made major global contributions to immune-based treatments. Recent examples of translational research from Departments that participate in this BSc course include:

Jacques Behmoaras

Andy Edwards

Ramzi Khamis

This BSc course will cover essential concepts in immunology and infectious diseases that underpin vaccination, antimicrobial therapy and resistance, cancer immunotherapy, allergy, autoimmunity and transplant biology, using clinical examples. Seminars will be given by experts in these areas from Imperial College. You will also receive training in research techniques, data analysis, science communication and presentation skills, discuss current and future research and clinical challenges in immune-related diseases, and gain research experience via a laboratory-based project within an active research group.

This course will analyse current clinical challenges in infections and immunity, preparing you to apply your knowledge in the coming years via your research and clinical practice.

The Course Director is Professor Marina Botto (m.botto@imperial.ac.uk).


Aims and objectives

The course aims to:

  • Ensure that students are familiar with the fundamental elements of the molecular and cellular processes that underpin inflammation and immunological responses to infection, tissue transplants and tumours
  • Provide an insight into the importance, indications and limitations of immunological and pathological testing techniques and therapies in clinical practice
  • Foster the ability to criticise and comment on scientific research, work independently and as part of a group, and to develop oral and written presentation skills
  • Provide training in research through the project

By the end of the course you will:

  • Have a broad understanding of how and why microorganisms cause human disease.
  • Be able to discuss how the immune system recognises and responds to foreign and sometimes to self-antigens.
  • Understand how disordered immunity, inflammation and regulatory mechanisms can contribute to human disease.
  • Understand the immune challenges of transplantation and the relevance and importance of clinical organ transplants.
  • Understand the principles of therapeutic immune modulation through vaccination and immunomodulation.

Eligibility

This is a one-year intercalated BSc. To be eligible to apply you must:

  • Be registered on a recognised Medical, Dental or Veterinary course at a UK or Irish university.
  • Have completed at least one year of that course before you apply to Imperial. i.e. you must be at least in Year 2 in 2023/24.
  • Have at least one year of your degree left when you return to your home institution after completing your intercalated BSc.

Application Process

You can apply online now for the BSc in Medical Sciences with Immunity and Infection.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and you should expect to receive the outcome within 2 weeks of submission. The application process will close at 16:00 on Friday 16 August 2024 or sooner if the course spaces are filled before this date.

Selection is based on your application form and the supporting documents you will upload with your application. Please find further information about the application process in the downloadable Imperial College London Intercalated BSc Guide for 2024-25 entry (PDF)

If you have any queries about the application process, please email the BSc Programmes Team at feo.bsc@imperial.ac.uk.

 


Course Structure

BSc Immunity and Infection will run from Monday 23rd September 2024 until Friday 23rd May 2025. The term dates can be found in the downloadable  BSc Dates and Course Structure 2024-25 (PDF)

The course is comprised of three modules:

  • A 12-week teaching block where students gain specialism-specific knowledge and skills, alongside their core research training
  • A 5-week self-directed learning block involving a clinical case study and group work
  • A 14-week supervised research project

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Tuition Fees for the course?

Tuition fee rates are the same as the Imperial College London MBBS Course. Further information can be foundhere.

How can I learn more about the course?

If you have any questions about the course or you would like to speak to a current student, please do not hesitate to contact the Course Administrator, Celeste Miles (celeste.miles@imperial.ac.uk).

How many places are available on the course?

We set 8 course spaces aside for intercalating students from other universities.

What is the ratio of internal Imperial students to intercalating students from other universities?

The course usually has around 24 students in total. Approximately two thirds of the cohort are internal Imperial students and a third are intercalating students from other universities.

How competitive is the application process?

In the past few academic years, we have been pleased to offer the majority of applicants a place on the course. 

When will I receive the outcome of my application?

We aim to respond to applicants by the end of March.