Biological Sciences

Immunology is one of the most dynamic and medically significant areas of biology, concerned with how the body defends itself against infection, disease, and foreign agents. The immune system is a system of extraordinary complexity, capable of distinguishing self from non-self, remembering previous encounters with pathogens, and mobilising targeted responses to threats as diverse as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and tumour cells. When immunity goes wrong, the consequences include autoimmune diseases, allergies, immunodeficiency, and cancer, and understanding the immune system is therefore central to developing new treatments across an enormous range of conditions.

At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year full-time degree in Biological Sciences with a specialism in Immunology places you within one of the world's leading life sciences research environments. You will study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune responses, the biology of infectious disease, the principles of vaccination, and the emerging fields of cancer immunotherapy and immunological disorders. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner institution and to experience immunological research in a different scientific and cultural context.

Edinburgh's immunology research community is internationally recognised, and studying here means engaging with active scientific questions as well as established knowledge.

Immunology graduates are well placed for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, where drug discovery, vaccine development, and clinical trials all draw heavily on immunological knowledge. Clinical research, biomedical science, laboratory diagnostics, and regulatory science are further destinations. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in immunology, biomedical science, or a clinical research field, and academic research is a well-established pathway for those who want to contribute to the advancement of the field.

The typical entry tariff is 200 points.