Medical Science

Thank you for choosing to apply for Attleborough Sixth Form - for further information about our courses, please refer to the course guide on our website.

Applications made before 01 January will be considered while blocking subjects for our timetable. If you apply after this date, the blocking for subjects will have already been determined. If the subjects you have chosen do not fit into the blocking, you will be notified as soon as possible, to arrange a conversation with our Sixth Form team in order to discuss alternatives.

This qualification is equivalent to one A Level and is designed for students with a strong interest in science and healthcare. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, helping you explore how medical science is applied in real-world contexts. It is ideal if you are considering careers in health (including nursing, midwifery, and allied health careers), uniformed services, medical research, or applied sciences.

You will study three mandatory units and one optional unit:

Mandatory Units:

• Principles of Human Physiology, Anatomy and Pathology
• Health Issues and Scientific Reporting
• Practical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Optional Units:

• Diseases, Disorders, Treatments and Therapies
• Biomedical Science
• Human Reproduction and Fertility

This mix ensures you gain both core scientific knowledge and the chance to specialise in an area of interest.

The course uses a balance of internal and external assessments:

• External exams (58%) – Two written examinations (Unit 1 and Unit 2) set and marked by Pearson.
• Internal assessments (42%) – Coursework tasks (Units 3 and your chosen optional unit) based on set assignments, marked by your teachers and verified externally.
• Assessments include short and long written answers, data analysis, practical investigations and report writing.

Grades are awarded as Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* and contribute to UCAS tariff points for university entry.

English 4 | Maths 5 | Science 5-5 or Biology 5 & Chemistry 5

The BTEC National in Medical Science is widely recognised by universities and employers. It can support progression to:

• University courses such as Nursing, Psychology, Biomedical Science, Physiotherapy and Health Sciences.
• Apprenticeships in healthcare, laboratory science, or applied sciences.
• Careers in health and science including medical research support, healthcare roles, or laboratory technician posts

By completing this course, you will also develop valuable transferable skills such as critical thinking, research, independent learning and teamwork, which are essential for higher education and future employment.