Clinical Sciences

Clinical sciences sits at the boundary between biomedical research and clinical practice, drawing on medical and scientific knowledge to understand, diagnose and monitor disease in ways that translate directly into patient care. The discipline encompasses areas such as clinical biochemistry, clinical pharmacology, physiological measurement, haematology and genomics, applying scientific methods and technologies to clinical problems. For students who want to work in healthcare without following the clinical medicine pathway, or who want to combine rigorous scientific training with clinical application, clinical sciences offers a distinctive and valuable route.

At Leicester, this three-year full-time programme combines the study of medical and clinical sciences with cutting-edge scientific methods and practice, preparing graduates for careers across the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, academic research and, for some, as a foundation for medical school application. The degree includes a sandwich year and a work placement, giving you structured professional experience in a clinical, research or industry setting. Leicester's medical school and its strong connections to the NHS trusts in the East Midlands provide a rich context for clinical science study and placement experience.

You will develop rigorous laboratory skills and scientific competence alongside your knowledge of human biology, pathophysiology and the clinical sciences relevant to your interests. The programme's applied orientation means you engage with the tools and methods used in real clinical and research environments throughout your degree.

Graduates move into clinical laboratory science, pharmaceutical research and development, NHS healthcare science roles, academic research and biotechnology. Many graduates pursue further professional training, including healthcare scientist registration with the Health and Care Professions Council or graduate entry medicine. Postgraduate study in clinical science, medicine or related biomedical disciplines is a natural next step.