Anaesthesia and Critical Care

Introduction

In this BSc in Medical Sciences with Anaesthesia and Critical Care, you will address the major issues within Intensive Care and anaesthesia, within some of the most research active departments in the U.K. In the first module you will explore the mechanisms by which both anaesthesia and critical illness produce profound derangements in physiology and how the immune response drives these changes. You will explore how our scientific knowledge relates to clinical practice pertaining to current peri-operative and critical care standards and guidelines.

The second module focuses on the fundamentals of the research process and the skills required to undertake research activities. Specialism-specific knowledge will be the vehicle for practising these skills, whilst gaining an in-depth knowledge in a specific field.

The third and final module aims to provide you with an introduction to the research process, prior to your research project. You will be exposed to each step of the process, building your research knowledge and skills alongside acquiring an in-depth knowledge of the specialism. The assessments utilise typical research skills, whilst probing depth of specialism-specific knowledge.

Aims and objectives

• Explain the mechanisms by which normal physiological function is disrupted by anaesthesia and during critical illness.
• Discuss the mechanisms of action of anaesthetic and analgesic agents and their potential to influence pathological processes.
• Relate scientific knowledge to clinical practice pertaining to current peri-operative and critical care standards and guidelines.
• Explore how novel methodologies, such as omics data and machine learning, can improve the management of critically ill patients through personalised medicine.
• Critically appraise literature, synthesise current evidence and opinion, and identify evidence gaps.
• Discuss limitations of research methodologies (bias, confounding, validity, reliability, chance) and understand their implications on methodology, analysis and sample size
• Communicate scientific concepts, in writing and in speech, for a range of audiences eg: academic and lay writing and presentations

Eligibility

This is a one-year intercalated BSc. To be eligible to apply you must:

• Be registered on a recognised Medical, Dental or Veterinary course at a UK or Irish university.
• Have completed at least one year of that course before you apply to Imperial. i.e. you must be at least in Year 2 in 2024/25.
• Have at least one year of your degree left when you return to your home institution after completing your intercalated BSc.

Application Process

You can apply online now for 2025-26 entry. The application deadline will be 4pm on Friday 28th February.

Selection is based on your application form and the supporting documents you will upload with your application. Please find further information about the application process in the Imperial College London Intercalated BSc Guide for 2025-26 (PDF).

If you have any queries about the application process, please email the BSc Programmes Team at feo.bsc@imperial.ac.uk.

Second Round of Applications

Unsuccessful or wait-listed applicants will be given the opportunity to make a second round application to any BSc course with space remaining.

Course Structure

The BSc in Medical Sciences with Anaesthesia and Critical Care will run from Monday 22 September 2025 until Friday 22 May 2026. The term dates can be found in the Provisional BSc Dates and Course Structure 2025-26 (PDF).

The course is comprised of three modules:

• A 12-week teaching block where students gain specialism-specific knowledge and skills, alongside their core research training
• A 5-week self-directed learning block involving a clinical case study and group work
• A 14-week supervised research project

Frequently Asked Questions

Imperial College London Intercalated BSc Guide for 2024-25 entry (PDF)