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Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences

(R/010/3/0361) (08/25) (MQA/FA4131)

Course overview

This programme is intended to serve as a pre-undergraduate course for students intending to study medicine, biomedical or biological sciences or pharmacy at undergraduate level at NUMed, in Newcastle UK or in another higher education institution, depending on the final grades achieved.

Modules

The curriculum is arranged with eight (180 UK credits) modules being studied over three semesters as follows:

Learning outcomes

On completing the programme, students should:

  • have acquired a basic knowledge and understanding of topics and concepts in biological science, physics, chemistry, mathematics and statistics needed (depending on the degree programme to be studied subsequently) to sustain successful study in medicine and the biological and biomedical sciences
  • have developed the necessary practical skills to enable specified laboratory or field experiments to be carried out effectively and safely
  • be able to apply appropriate quantitative methods to experimental data and to interpret experimental results
  • have an appreciation of the culture of UK higher education and its expectations of students
  • have knowledge and understanding of academic English in order to successfully start a degree programme at undergraduate level
  • understand the basic requirements for writing a competent essay/case study report or laboratory report.

Teaching and assessment

The teaching and learning strategy encourages students to gain gradual knowledge and understanding. You will gain this knowledge and understanding through lectures and practical laboratory sessions. This is further supported by reading, seminar discussion and tutorials. English is taught in smaller classes and reinforced through practice. Case studies and project work will involve an element of student research.

Quality and ranking

Reputation

Newcastle University Medical School is a world-leading collaboration of research scientists, medical doctors and teaching professionals with a reputation for innovation and excellence for both research and teaching.

Our MBBS and BSc (Honours) Biomedical Sciences programmes are consistently two of the most highly regarded courses of their type in the UK.

Ranking

Medicine at Newcastle is consistently one of the most highly regarded medical programmes in the UK. The excellence of our programmes has been confirmed by the General Medical Council. We are ranked:

  • Global Top 110 University - QS World University Rankings 2024
  • 19th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2023 (Medicine category)
  • 17th in the UK – The Guardian University Guide 2023 (Medicine category)
  • Top 80 for Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
  • Top 100 for Pre-Clinical, Clinical and Health - Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024 (published 2023)

Your future

Progression on to programmes at NUMed Malaysia

Students who successfully complete the Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences to the required level, will be offered a place on either our MBBS programme (subject to interview) or our 2 + 1 BSc (Honours) Biomedical Sciences programme.

To qualify for admission to the MBBS programme at NUMed Malaysia you must achieve an overall average grade of 75% with 70% in English for Academic Purposes, 75% in Biology 1, Biology 2 and Chemistry and 70% in Foundation Medical Studies.

To qualify for admission to the 2+1 BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences programme offered at NUMed Malaysia you must achieve an overall average grade of 65% with 65% in English for Academic Purposes and 70% in Biology 1 and 2 and 55% in Chemistry.

Progression on to programmes at Newcastle University, UK

Students who successfully complete the Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences to the required level will be able to apply for a place on a wide variety of programmes at Newcastle University, UK, in both the Faculty of Medical Sciences – including Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Pharmacy (MPharm), Biomedical Sciences (BSc or MSci), Biochemistry (BSc or MSci), Biomedical Genetics (BSc or MSci), Physiological Sciences (BSc), Pharmacology (BSc), Sports and Exercise (BSc), Food and Human Nutrition (BSc), Psychology (BSc) – and the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering – including Biology (BSc), Animal Science (BSc), Environmental Science (BSc), Agriculture (BSc), Agri-Business Management (BSc), Marine Biology (BSc), Chemistry (BSc and MChem) and Speech and Language Science (BSc).

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are specific to the NUMed Malaysia Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences. 

Fees and funding

The overall tuition costs of obtaining the Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Sciences programme with NUMed Malaysia is significantly less than the cost of studying for the same programme in the UK.

A single inclusive fee is charged to cover the costs of tuition, library, laboratory, placements, examination, administration fees and all other academic-related charges for the programme.

Tuition fees for 2024 entry

Malaysian students: RM 27,580 for the 12-month programme.

International students: RM 32,318 for the 12-month programme.

Other expenses

You should note that the fees do not include the cost of your living accommodation in Malaysia.

Students studying on our Foundation in Biological and Biomedical Science programme are strongly advised to stay at the NUMed Malaysia-managed student accommodation. You will be advised on how to book this once you have been offered a place on the programme.

Get in touch

By phone

Telephone (MY): +607 5553800
Telephone (WhatsApp): +6011 12315411; +6012 7849456

By email

Email us at: admissions@newcastle.edu.my