Human Genetics with Foundation and Placement

Human genetics is central to health, medicine, and pharmacology and our BSc (Honours) Human Genetics degree is designed to provide you with a comprehensive grounding in this ever-evolving subject.

Recent advances in biology have led to a better understanding of how genetic variations affect genome function and influence traits, which, in turn, has led to increased job opportunities for graduates with skills in human genetics.

The human genetics course will introduce you to the study of molecular biology and explore the fundamentals of:

• evolution and its impact on genetic differences
• medical microbiology
• biochemistry
• genetics of diseases.

Throughout the course, you will acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviours to excel in research, industry and academia.

What you'll study

Through this course, you will gain a critical understanding of the connections between human genes, the human body and hereditary variations. As well as learning and fine-tuning your clinical, industrial and research abilities, you will develop techniques to solve modern-day problems such as human disease and threats to population health.

The course will enable you to:

• gain the knowledge and skills to examine samples of patients' nucleic acid (DNA or RNA (Ribonucleic acid)) to identify genetic and genomic alterations that may be responsible for inherited and acquired diseases or conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease or cancer
• practice the skills for prenatal diagnosis - examining cells for possible anomalies in the foetus, usually in families where single-gene disorders have been identified by DNA analysis
• understand carrier testing and risk assessment for identifying presymptomatic individuals at risk from single-gene disorders
• learn confirmation of diagnosis in both inherited and acquired conditions.

You will also benefit from:

• excellent facilities, including new biomedical science labs
• regular promotion of work experience opportunities as well as workshops preparing you for working as a geneticist, including interview techniques, work placements, and negotiating workplace politics
• seminar series with bodies such as Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Partnership (GeCIP), evidence workshops and seminars
• mentoring programme between students of all years
• UWL's strong links with local healthcare providers and biotech industries.

Foundation year

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.

Placement Year*

You can choose to study a placement year module to develop your employability skillset and enhance professional development and career prospects. The module requires you to undertake 45 weeks of full-time employment relevant to Biomedical Sciences. The industrial placement year aims to enhance your employment prospects by developing industry-related skills in a real work environment. It also aims to enhance and develop your personal and interpersonal skills, knowledge and practical abilities through an individually negotiated portfolio of activities.

*There is no guarantee that you will be successful in securing a placement. If you choose a course with a placement route and a placement opportunity does not arise, the University will automatically transfer you to the non-placement route. This is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree. The placement route for this course is open to UK students only.

It's not too late to study at London’s 2nd highest-rated university for student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2026).

UWL's world-class facilities and outstanding teaching will give you all the tools you need to succeed. Musicians can rehearse in performance rooms, audio recording spaces and a 200 seat black box studio. Pilots can brave the storm in the Boeing 737 flight simulator. Lawyers can perfect their argument in the mock courtrooms, and chefs can whip up delicious creations in industry-standard kitchens and serve real customers at Pillars, the student-run fine-dining restaurant located on campus.

You'll also be learning in one of the world's best student cities (2026 QS Best Student Cities) - think Saturday afternoons in Covent Garden, study sessions in the British Library and live concerts in the O2 arena. With scholarships and bursaries reserved for Clearing applicants, no ambition is out of reach!