Molecular Genetics

Molecular genetics is the branch of biology concerned with how genetic information is stored, replicated, expressed, and regulated within cells, and how mutations in that information give rise to disease, variation, and evolution. It is a rapidly advancing field, shaped by the genomics revolution, which has made it possible to read and eventually to edit the genetic information of organisms in ways that are transforming medicine, agriculture, and our understanding of life itself.

The three-year full-time Molecular Genetics BSc at King's College London is a multidisciplinary degree that focuses on the advances in biology investigating how the structure and function of genes and the genome regulate the processes and mechanisms of life. You will study how DNA is replicated, repaired, and decoded to make proteins and other molecules within cells and tissues, and how those molecular events in turn affect the physiology, behaviour, and wellbeing of living things. The programme covers classical and molecular genetics, cell biology, genomics, epigenetics, developmental biology, and the genetic basis of disease, giving you both the conceptual frameworks and the laboratory skills to engage with cutting-edge research.

A sandwich year, year abroad, and work placement options build substantial professional and international experience into the degree structure, which is particularly valuable in a field where laboratory training and research experience are essential for graduate careers.

With a typical entry tariff of 152 points, the programme is demanding and rewards students who bring genuine scientific curiosity. Graduates from molecular genetics programmes pursue careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, clinical genetics, forensic science, genetic counselling, and science communication. Many go on to postgraduate study in genetics, genomics, molecular biology, or related biomedical sciences.