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MDBS

A perfect balance of world-class teaching resources and internationally recognised research infrastructure.

Hello and welcome to the Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences (MDBS) Pathway!
PHOTO: Mary McGahon
I am Mary McGahon and I am one of 3 academics on the MDBS Pathway. If you choose to join this Pathway we hope you’ll find it a really rewarding and fun experience. Students in previous years have taken part in a range of activities including making and infographic for a dental practice to diagnosing a patient, following them through biomedical laboratory testing, surgery and recovery. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to work in smaller groups and bond with your fellow students. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions! Mary McGahon
Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
  • What do I need to participate in the MDBS Pathway?

    We would advise that all students check the academic entry requirements (GCSE, A-Levels or equivalent) for each course before applying for their Pathway.  Many courses specify that you must have achieved a specific grade at a specific level in order to be conisidered for a place on the undergraduate programme.  Therefore, it is important that you clarify this information as early as possible in order to avoid disappointment.   Students are required to meet any specific subject requirements for the course they are applying to. Hence they must have the appropriate GCSE requirements for Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences and taking the appropriate AS levels for entry in 2023.

    Please click here to be redirected to the Queen's University course finder, where you should find all necessary details - in particular, pre-requisite information.

  • What courses can I study at Queen's after taking part in the MDBS Pathway?

    Students completing this Pathway are eligible to apply for a range of courses under their subject area.  For the full list, have a look at our Pathway Courses Available document for further information.

  • What does the MDBS Pathway look like? Can I get a grade reduction in these subjects after completing the course?

    This is the fifth year of the MDBS (School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences) Pathway. We are encouraging applications to the 20243 programme for those planning to enter university in September 2025. This pathway facilitates entry into four degree programmes - Medicine, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences and Human Biology. Applicants will learn about each degree programme through the management of a clinical case in the summer school and how all MDBS graduates can play a role in the care of patients and prevention of ill health. You will have the opportunity to meet many different teachers, researchers and clinicians describing their own career pathways

    For Biomedical Sciences and Human Biology degrees the pathway may offer up to a 2 grade reduction for entry to Queen's while Medicine and Dentistry applicants who complete the pathway to a high standard may gain up to a 1 grade reduction but will also be offered a guaranteed interview for Queen's (Biomedical Sciences and Human Biology do not require interviews for entry).

  • What careers are available for graduates in this field?

    Below, you will find a list of various careers many students will move into following studies on a Medicine, Dentistry or Biomedical Sciences degree.

     

    Careers options from a medical degree:

    While the list is probably endless here are a few examples of possible fields to explore during and after your medical degree:

    Anaesthetist

    Cardiologist

    Clinical radiologist

    General practice doctor

    Hospital doctor

    Neurologist

    Ophthalmologist

    Pathologist

    Psychiatrist

    Surgeon

     

    Careers stemming from undergraduate dental degree:

    General practice dentist

    Community services dentist

    Armed forced dentist

    With further post-graduate training:

    Orthodontist

    Paediatric Dentist

    Oral Surgeon

    Oral Pathologist

    Oral Medicine

    Restorative Dentist

    Special Care Dentist

     

    After a degree in Biomedical sciences or Human biology graduates often follow varying career paths:

    • Other than the Biomedical Science graduates who go on to work as Biomedical Scientists within the NHS hospital labs, there are no major differences in the employment destinations for Biomedical Science and Human Biology Graduates.
    • Based on information collected over the last few years, more than 95% of our graduates are in employment within a year of their graduation and destinations include (percentages are approximate):
    • 40% Research in a university at MSc or PhD level, or teacher training
    • 20% Further study on a Medicine/Dental degree
    • 12% Research or production related positions in life science companies (eg., Randox, Almac, Norbrook)
    • 5% Biomedical Scientists in the NHS
    • Other frequent destinations for our graduates include medical/pharmaceutical sales, banking/finance, private pathology labs, forensic science, food industry, patent law amongst others.
  • How can I get in touch?
    If you have a question about one of our Pathways, or want to ask an academic a question, please email us at pop@qub.ac.uk and someone will be in touch!
Apply for this Pathway
Applications for 2024