Medical Sciences at Edinburgh

Many different disciplines make up Medical Science. The programme is built around a number of compulsory courses delivering core material in Medical Sciences alongside investigations of social and ethical issues related to modern day healthcare.  

You can learn more about the programme on the university Degree Finder

Degree Finder

Core and elective courses(Please note these are the courses available in 2023/24 and may be subject to change.)

You will be taught through a combination of:  

• lectures and tutorials (Lectures are where the whole programme are taught together, and tutorials are sub-group so smaller, around 15-20 students. You can bring questions you have from the lecture to the tutorial and discuss topics in more detail.)
• practical work 
• problem-based learning 
• computer-assisted learning 

All courses are supported by a virtual learning environment that offers:   

• self-assessment tools 
• online course resources 
• student discussion forums 

You will also have the opportunity to participate in many extra-curricular events that are organised by different Schools around the university and the careers service. These will develop a range of skills, from creative-thinking, team-working, and confidence, as well as providing opportunities to network with employers and meet students from other programmes. 

Assessment

We use in-course assessment and exams in all years.  Your degree classification will be based on your performance in Years 3 and 4. 

Teaching takes place in the University's Central Area and on the King's Buildings campus.

In your final year, some teaching will take place in:

• The Chancellor's Building at BioQuarter
• The Western General Hospital

All sites offer state-of-the-art lecture theatres and laboratory facilities.

Discover more about our campus with a virtual visit

• Edinburgh is ranked in the top 30 universities in the world for the overall subject area of life sciences and medicine and 16th in the world for Anatomy and Physiology (QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024).  

• Edinburgh is ranked in the top 30 universities in the world for the overall subject area of life sciences and medicine and 16th in the world for Anatomy and Physiology (QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024).  

• The University of Edinburgh is 4th in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top ranked institution, according to Times Higher Education's REF 2021 power ratings.  

• Medical Sciences academic staff bring a breadth and depth of research-based knowledge and expertise to their teaching and supervision, providing an outstanding student learning environment that fosters individual intellectual development. 

• The Deanery of Biomedical Sciences is home to research centres in Discovery Brain Sciences, the Developing Brain, Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and intellectual disabilities, and Infectious Diseases which, along with the wider strengths of clinical research centres in the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, provides a vibrant, research-rich environment for your learning. 

• The Senior Honours year also places students at the cutting edge of modern medical research by including a compulsory major research project involving either original laboratory-based medical research, clinically-related research or literature-based research working alongside internationally recognised research scientists and clinicians. 

Societies and sports clubs are a big part of the student experience and can be a great way to enhance your social and academic life. EUSA, which is the University's students' union organisation, supports over 300 societies, while Edinburgh University Sports Union has clubs for almost every sport imaginable. 

The Biomedical Society and Medical Society were created by students to support students on our Biomedical and Medical Sciences programmes. They organise social events and peer support events throughout the year to help you meet students across different programmes and support your academic development. 

Biomedical Society

Medical Sciences Society