Biological and life sciences
Biological sciences
BSc
Overview
Biological sciences is a broad degree about living systems, from cells to organisms and ecosystems. Unlike a specialist title such as microbiology or ecology, you often choose modules after a shared first year. It is a strong route into research, teaching or further professional training, but it is rarely the licence for a regulated health job. Students who enjoy it are curious about how living things work and are happy to specialise later rather than lock in a profession at 18.
You want a broad biology degree before choosing a specialism or career.
Biomedical science is more human-disease focused. Zoology, ecology and microbiology are narrower.
People who like several areas of biology and laboratory or field investigation.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Cells
- Organisms
- Genetics
- Practical biology
Year 2
- Physiology
- Evolution
- Molecular biology
- Data skills
Year 3
- Optional specialisms
- Research project
Skills
Useful before you start
- Biology
- Writing
- Willingness to learn chemistry and statistics
Developed during the degree
- Experimental design
- Data interpretation
- Scientific writing
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Laboratory practicals, Field or project work, Tutorials.
Assessment often includes Exams, Lab reports, Project.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate. Field courses can add residential days that are not in the weekly average.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC–ABB. Biology is widely required. A second science is often recommended. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 34 points for ABB. The other end of this band is not in that table. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 4, 4 for ABB. The other end of this band is not in the guide. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Biology is widely required. A second science is often recommended.
Often recommended: Chemistry, Mathematics.
Useful preparation: Geography, Psychology.
GCSE and IGCSE
English and mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly requested. Science grades matter more for science degrees. No single national grade is stored. International GCSEs are not automatically accepted as GCSEs.
Indicative UK pattern only. Highly selective universities can ask for higher grades in the sciences than the typical band. Not an offer.
Other ways in
- An integrated master's is a longer undergraduate course, not a PhD.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
ESAT
Used by some courses only. A science and engineering admissions test.
Selected engineering and science courses. Not a requirement for every science degree.
Checked 2026-10-14.
Official test site
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
No individual UK course page is stored yet for this subject. Use the university site.
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Biologist
Common route
A biology degree is a usual academic route. Many jobs also expect experience or postgraduate study.
Research scientist
Common route
A first degree is the start. Independent research posts often need a postgraduate degree.
Secondary school teacher
Alternative route
Biology can be a teaching subject. Qualified teacher status is additional.
Ecologist
Alternative route
Possible if you choose ecological modules. A dedicated ecology degree is a closer fit.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.