Medical Genetics with Research Placement
Medical genetics is the study of how genes and genetic variation influence human health and disease. It sits at the intersection of genetics, molecular biology, and medicine, asking questions about the heritable basis of conditions ranging from rare single-gene disorders to common complex diseases influenced by many genes and environmental factors. Understanding the genetic underpinnings of disease is central to diagnosis, to the development of new treatments, and increasingly to personalised approaches to medicine in which therapy is tailored to an individual's genetic profile.
At the University of Huddersfield, this four-year programme includes a foundation year that provides a supported introduction to the biological and chemical sciences before entry into the main degree. The foundation year is designed for students who want to study a demanding biomedical science but who need to build or consolidate their scientific background first. From the main programme onwards, you will study medical genetics in depth, covering molecular genetics, genomics, cell biology, human disease mechanisms, and the clinical and ethical dimensions of genetic testing and counselling.
A defining feature of this programme is the inclusion of a research placement, which gives you the opportunity to work in an active research environment and to develop the practical skills and professional experience that postgraduate study or a career in research demands.
Graduates in medical genetics go on to careers in NHS clinical genetics services, research laboratories, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, genetic counselling (with further training), forensic science, and academic research. Many graduates pursue postgraduate degrees, including research doctorates in genetics, genomics, or related areas of biomedical science. The combination of deep scientific knowledge, research experience, and the clinical awareness that this programme cultivates makes for a well-rounded and professionally oriented degree.