About the course

Reasons to study

1. This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, and upon completion you can apply for associate membership, which can help to open up industry network opportunities.
2. Receive hands-on, practical training in our new £18.2 million facilities such as our biological sciences labs using modern equipment.
3. Excellent employability prospects: 95% of graduates from this subject area were in work or further study 15 months after graduation.

Biological Sciences is a fascinating subject area and it’s related to our everyday existence. It studies life and living organisms including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution and taxonomy. From the growth and division of simple bacteria through to the evolution, development, growth and adaptation of complex multi-cellular organisms, and the emerging role of genomics in personalised medicine and biodiversity in a changing world.

• 92.06% of responders to the National Student Survey 2022 agreed that they have been able to access course-specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software, collections) when they needed to.
• This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
• You’ll have the opportunity to study core topics and consider contemporary issues in all major aspects of biology. Optional choices in each year of your course provide you with opportunities to specialise further in core areas of molecular and cellular biology, organismal biology, and ecology and environmental biology. Or alternatively, you can vary your choice of optional modules to keep your coverage of the biological sciences broad.
• Your learning will be supported by doctoral-level academics with expertise or active research interests in diverse areas of biology and genetics, including cancer pharmacology, ancient and modern patterns of human migration, environmental and evolutionary microbiology, novel antimicrobials, and the molecular and cellular biology of human disease.
• You’ll receive hands-on practical training in the field and in laboratory using modern equipment, developing the skills and interests that help to prepare you for a research dissertation in the final year. As a further boost for your CV and employment prospects there’s also the opportunity of a placement year in industry or research in the third year of the course.
• As a student on this course you’ll be able to apply for undergraduate membership of the Biochemical Society and The Physiological Society (UK). You’ll also be eligible for student affiliate membership of the Royal Society of Biology and upon successful graduation be eligible to apply for one year associate membership, this can help open up networks at a crucial time when applying for jobs.

Entry requirements

BBC-BCCat A Level  including a grade B in a relevant Science subject. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A Level study, and is a requirement for entry to our degree course.

112-104UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications including a grade B in a relevant Science subject at A Level.

Meritat T Level in Science including a grade B in A Level Chemistry or Biology.

DMMin BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science .

Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above to include modules in relevant science subjects. 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications which should include modules in relevant science subjects.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Science Extended Degree (BCF0).

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.