Medical Genetics

Medical genetics is the science of understanding how genetic variation contributes to human disease and how that knowledge can be applied to better diagnose, treat, and prevent illness. The completion of the human genome sequence was one of the most significant scientific achievements of the twentieth century, and the subsequent development of genomics, personalised medicine, and gene therapy is transforming clinical practice at an extraordinary pace. A degree in medical genetics places you at this frontier, developing the scientific understanding needed to contribute to what is one of the most rapidly advancing fields in medicine and biology.

At the University of Leicester you will study this three-year programme, exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which genetic changes lead to disease, the laboratory techniques used to analyse and diagnose genetic conditions, and the clinical, ethical, and social dimensions of applying genetic knowledge in healthcare settings. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you direct professional experience in a research or clinical genetics environment and international exposure alongside your academic development. You will engage with the full range of molecular biology techniques used in medical genetics research and diagnosis, developing the practical and analytical competence that both research and clinical careers require.

Graduates of medical genetics work in NHS clinical genetics departments, genomic medicine services, medical research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, public health genomics, and bioinformatics roles. Many go on to postgraduate study or doctoral research in genetics, genomics, molecular medicine, or bioinformatics, pursuing research careers at the cutting edge of the field. Others pursue graduate-entry medicine, using their genetics background as a strong foundation for clinical training.

Genetic counselling, which requires further postgraduate training, is another well-established path for graduates who want to apply genetic knowledge directly in a patient-facing clinical role.