Medical Science

LEVEL 3: Single Vocational (AAQ Extended Certificate)
EXAMINING BOARD: Pearson

This course will be available for students starting in September 2026.

Medical Science offers a unique blend of academic challenge and real-world application. Designed with input from universities and professionals, it builds the knowledge, practical skills and critical thinking that modern medical careers demand.

You’ll explore how the body functions in health and disease, investigate contemporary health issues like infections and immunity, and develop essential skills in research, analysis and scientific communication.

With a strong focus on lab work and applying theory to real health contexts, you’ll discover how medical knowledge supports diagnosis, treatment and public health decisions.

This qualification is ideal if you are interested in pursuing science or healthcare-related degrees.

You will study three core units and one optional unit.

Core units:

  • Unit 1 Human Physiology, Anatomy and Pathology – explore how the body’s systems function and what happens when they are affected by disease. Includes detailed study of organs, cells, and biological processes.
  • Unit 2: Health Issues and Scientific Reporting – investigate contemporary health challenges like cancer, immune dysfunction and genetic conditions. Learn how to critically analyse health data and scientific publications.
  • Unit 3: Practical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases – develop laboratory skills through microbiological techniques and examine how infections spread and are controlled.

Optional unit (one of the following will be chosen):

  • Unit 4: Diseases, Disorders, Treatments and Therapies
  • Unit 5: Biomedical Science
  • Unit 6: Human Reproduction and Fertility.

As a minimum, you will need (or equivalent to):

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 4
  • GCSE English Language grade 4
  • GCSE Combined Science grade 5:5 or GCSE Biology grade 5
  • plus two more GCSEs at grade 4.

Assessment is conducted via external examination (58%) and internal coursework assessment (42%).

Coursework mostly takes the format of practical scientific reports for which you carry out practical work and then analyse and evaluate the results.

This course will prepare you for allied health care careers such as, radiology, radiography, biomedical sciences, paramedic sciences and nursing.

This progression will mostly be through university degrees or NHS apprenticeships.

For the best progression opportunities it is encouraged for this course to be taken alongside, one or more of the following courses: Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science, Health and Social Care, Psychology or PE. 

To study medicine you will require an A Level Science qualification. 

Will this course allow you to study a medical degree at University?

This is only possible if taken in combination with other A level Science courses like Biology and Chemistry, as a standalone subject it is not sufficient.