Immunity and Infection

Introduction

Our understanding of infectious diseases and the immune response has been revolutionized by recent discoveries in innate immunity, genetics and genomics, and microbiology. These scientific advances have led to the development of novel immuno-therapeutics and major clinical breakthroughs for the treatment of previously intractable diseases in almost all clinical specialties, including Renal, Rheumatology, Neurology, Transplantation, Cancer, Respiratory and Infectious Diseases.

Immunity and infection research in Imperial College has made major global contributions to immune-based treatments. Recent examples of translational research from Departments that participate in this BSc course include:

Alice Denton

• Does TLR signalling promote extrafollicular or GC B cell responses?

Andy Edwards

• Antibiotic combination therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis 

Alex McCarthy

• Development of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies for Group B Streptococcus

Fred Tam

• Investigation of impact of chronic kidney disease on the host response to pathological stimuli 

Graham Taylor

• Updating the estimated prevalence of HTLV-1 in England and Wales, and worldwide  

Intercalated BSc Students
The ageing immune system as a potential target of senolytics 

This BSc course will cover essential concepts in immunology and infectious diseases that underpin vaccination, antimicrobial therapy and resistance, cancer immunotherapy, allergy, autoimmunity and transplant biology, using clinical examples. Seminars will be given by experts in these areas from Imperial College. You will also receive training in research techniques, data analysis, science communication and presentation skills, discuss current and future research and clinical challenges in immune-related diseases, and gain research experience via a laboratory-based project within an active research group.

This course will analyse current clinical challenges in infections and immunity, preparing you to apply your knowledge in the coming years via your research and clinical practice.

The Course Director is Professor Marina Botto (m.botto@imperial.ac.uk).

Aims and objectives

The course aims to:

• Ensure that students are familiar with the fundamental elements of the molecular and cellular processes that underpin inflammation and immunological responses to infection, tissue transplants and tumours
• Provide an insight into the importance, indications and limitations of immunological and pathological testing techniques and therapies in clinical practice
• Foster the ability to criticise and comment on scientific research, work independently and as part of a group, and to develop oral and written presentation skills
• Provide training in research through the project

By the end of the course you will:

• Have a broad understanding of how and why microorganisms cause human disease.
• Be able to discuss how the immune system recognises and responds to foreign and sometimes to self-antigens.
• Understand how disordered immunity, inflammation and regulatory mechanisms can contribute to human disease.
• Understand the immune challenges of transplantation and the relevance and importance of clinical organ transplants.
• Understand the principles of therapeutic immune modulation through vaccination and immunomodulation.

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

BSc Immunity and Infection 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

FAQ's