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Medical Genetics

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B-B,B,B

Biology essential, plus at least one other science (usually Chemistry)

At least 24 Distinctions and 15 Merits in Level 3 Credits including Distinctions in ALL Biology and Chemistry modules.

We recognise the EPQ as an excellent indicator of success. If you are predicted a grade B or above in the EPQ, you will receive an offer with a one grade reduction, to include your EPQ with a grade B.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32-34

To include Higher Level grades in Biology, plus at least one other science (usually Chemistry)

5 Higher subjects at min. H3 inc. Biology = H2 & Chemistry = H2

Typically Distinction to Double Distinction plus A Level Grade B in Biology

Scottish Advanced Higher at equivalent grade is accepted in place of any A-Level (A2).

Welsh Baccalaureate requirements are as for A-Levels where you can substitute the same non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Core Grade

UCAS Tariff

120-136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Medical genetics

Studying a Medical Genetics degree at Swansea University will give you an in-depth knowledge of these essential building blocks of life. You will learn techniques for analysing gene expression, protein interactions, DNA structure and damage, image analysis of biomolecules and cells, and advanced computer analytical methods.

During the course you will develop excellent analytical and project management skills and learn how to design experiments and plan work programmes.

The study of medical genetics is an exciting and fast-moving field that is making an enormous impact on medicine, helping us to understand, diagnose, and treat many human diseases.

You will benefit from access to the Medical School’s state-of-the-art research facilities, including DNA and protein analytical equipment, and computer-based image analysers for molecular and cellular studies.

Our academic staff are active in a diverse range of genetics research fields, offering an unrivalled mix of academic excellence and cutting-edge practice.

In addition to your formal studies, we hold regular research talks with Swansea University staff and guest expert speakers from other universities, industry, the NHS and research institutions.

This degree is part of our ‘Medical Science in Practice’ Pathway to Medicine programme. Provided you meet the minimum entry requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine, and have successfully completed the Pathway, you will be guaranteed an interview for our flagship Graduate Entry Medicine MBBCh course.

A degree in Medical Genetics opens up a range of exciting careers and opportunities for further study in diverse fields and many of our students have gone on to study Graduate Entry Medicine at Swansea.

We have an outstanding reputation for Medicine at Swansea and are ranked 5th in the UK for Medicine according to the Times Good University Guide 2023. In the latest NSS (2022) our Genetics courses were ranked 2nd in the UK for Learning Opportunities, 5th for Teaching and 11th for Overall Satisfaction.

Modules

Year 1
• Fundamental Genetics and Evolution
• Population Genomics
• Energy and Metabolism: The Reactions of Life
• Microbiology
• Epigenetics, Gene Regulation and Disease
• Human Physiology
Year 2
• Human Immunology
• Techniques in Molecular Biology
• Human and Medical Genetics
• Microbial Molecular Genetics
Year 3
• Practical Quantitative Research
• Medical Genetics
• Human Immunopathology
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Assessment methods

Assessments will include Laboratory practicals, written exams, oral presentations, written assignments, and clinical skills assessments. The range of assessment methods is chosen to develop and demonstrate a range of skills transferable to the modern healthcare environment including reflection, oral and written communication, confidence and competence.

The Uni


Course location:

Singleton Park Campus

Department:

Genetics

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

81%
Medical genetics

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Genetics

Teaching and learning

85%
Staff make the subject interesting
90%
Staff are good at explaining things
79%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
87%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

68%
Library resources
81%
IT resources
87%
Course specific equipment and facilities
59%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

79%
UK students
21%
International students
35%
Male students
65%
Female students
82%
2:1 or above
3%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
C

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Genetics

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£17,200
low
Average annual salary
91%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

14%
Natural and social science professionals
6%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
6%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

Only a few hundred people take genetics courses every year and graduates from these courses are amongst the most likely to go on to do a doctorate when they graduate, as that's the level of qualification you need to go into a career in research in this important and fast-moving field. Lab jobs were the most popular outcome for genetics graduates, but whilst other science and technical occupations were also common, you could also find genetics graduates in a range of other roles, particularly business and finance.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Genetics

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£18k

£18k

£23k

£23k

£26k

£26k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of East Anglia UEA | Norwich
Molecular Biology and Genetics
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 128-153
Lower entry requirements
University of Huddersfield | Huddersfield
Medical Genetics
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-112
Nearby University
Cardiff University | Cardiff
Biomedical Sciences
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 128-136

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here