King's College London

Infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer represent a significant burden to global health. These diseases kill millions of people every year and, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have the potential to severely impact society and devastate economies. A healthy immune system protects us from many pathogens and from the development of cancer, although numerous pathologies can develop when it is dysregulated. We are now entering an era of bespoke therapeutics whereby cell-based, antibody-based and pharmaceutical therapies can be developed to cure infectious disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

The intercalated Infectious Disease, Autoimmunity & Immunotherapies BSc explores how viruses and other pathogens cause disease. You will learn how an effective immune response protects us from infectious diseases and cancer, and what happens when the immune system goes wrong.

This one-year intercalated BSc offers an unique opportunity to learn about scientific research, innovation and medical entrepreneurship. The course will provide you with knowledge and understanding of key molecular, cellular and tissue disease processes as well as skills in evaluating biomedical research.

You will develop insight into, and critical analysis of, scientific literature and research. During this course you will also:

• Explore how viruses and other pathogens cause disease, how an effective immune response protects us from infectious diseases and cancer and what happens when the immune system goes wrong.

• Learn how vaccines, antimicrobial drugs and immunotherapies are used to treat infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer.

• Understand how vaccines and antimicrobial drugs are discovered and the pipeline from pre-clinical testing through to clinical trials.

• Have the opportunity to choose a laboratory-based research project working with internationally renowned scientists

• Have the opportunity to take the Health Entrepreneurship module offered by King’s Business School and Entrepreneurship Institute alongside the Faculty of Life Science and Medicine.

• Develop insight into, and critical analysis of, scientific literature and research.