JW6 - Medical Science - AAQ

Applications Open: Thursday 6th November 2025

Applications Close: Tuesday 31st March 2026

Entry Requirements: Please see specific course details.

This course is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, biomedical research, or further studies in medical sciences. The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students for both higher education and employment in scientific environments. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of human physiology, anatomy and pathology. Secondary research skills including collection and interpretation of data from valid sources and drawing reasoned conclusions. Practical skills in microbiology and their application in the diagnosis of disease and develop critical thinking.

The course involves a combination of internally and externally assessed components. The qualification has four units covering the following topics:

• Human Physiology, Anatomy and Pathology – Human body systems, cell ultrastructure, and how substances are transported

• Health Issues and Scientific Reporting – The immune system, its dysfunction and genetic technologies; the validity and reliability of information used in health science reporting

• Practical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases – Methods of pathogenicity and infectious agents, growth of microorganisms and health and safety in a laboratory environment.

• Biomedical Science – Biomedical science techniques and their clinical application

Unit 1: Principles of Human Physiology, Anatomy and Pathology, an external examination

1 hour and 30-minute paper made up of a number of short- and long-answer questions. The questions will assess knowledge and understanding of the underpinning principles of human physiology, anatomy and pathology, as well as the ability to apply your knowledge to new situations and will also test the skills of analysing and interpreting data and information from graphs, diagrams or text.

Unit 2: Health Issues and Scientific Reporting

The unit will be assessed through one examination of 80 marks lasting 2 hours. Students will be assessed through a number of short- and long-answer questions. Students will need to explore and relate to contexts and data presented. The questions will assess understanding of health issues and associated initiatives and reporting.

Unit 3: Practical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

The unit will be assessed by four assignments internally mark including practical based procedures and techniques. In this unit, you will carry out your own investigation into the effect of antimicrobial agents on the growth of microorganisms. This will enable you to begin to understand the role of clinical microbiologists. The investigation within this unit will benefit progression to higher education. It requires you to work independently to bring together understanding of scientific principles with practical skills to conduct an investigation to achieve a purpose, drawing on your understanding of cells, tissues and biological molecules gained in Unit 1, and your knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods gained in Unit 2.

Unit 5: Biomedical Science

The unit will be assessed by four assignments internally mark including practical based procedures and techniques. This unit will help you understand three key areas of biomedical science: haematology, health screening, histology/cytology, and urinalysis. In this unit you will concentrate on biomedical science in relation to the human body, but many of the same techniques are used in veterinary science

External assessments are available twice a year and students may have the opportunity to resit them.

For internally assessed units, assignments will be completed. One resubmission is allowed per assignment.

 Maths and English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above and a 55 in Combined Science. 

Biomedical Science

Nursing

Physiotherapy

Sports Scientist

Pharmacy

Healthcare (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy, audiology)

Biomedical Research

Clinical Laboratories

Pharmaceutical Industry