Biosciences

Lectures represent the largest proportion of teaching hours allowing the effective delivery of knowledge and forming the factual basis of this science subject. You will also benefit from practical classes which provide hands-on experience of experimental techniques.

Year 1 provides teaching across the full spectrum of biological science sub-disciplines alongside practical experience and workshops on data handling techniques to help you develop a range of adaptable skills.

The degree develops with workshops, research-based projects and literature reviews taking the place of practical classes and an emphasis on independent learning, providing an opportunity for further developing your interests and research skills as you start to prepare for postgraduate life and employment.

Assessment

Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations as well as coursework including essays, laboratory reports, case studies, oral presentations and posters.

Literature reviews (dissertation), project reports and laboratory workshop/fieldwork reports are an important part of this degree. The final-year research project is assessed through a full Master’s-level thesis.

A level offer – AAA including Biology or Chemistry or Human Biology plus another science subject.

Contextual offer – ABB including Biology or Chemistry or Human Biology plus another science subject.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 37 with 666 in higher level subjects including Biology or Chemistry plus another higher level science subject.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

• Psychology, Maths and Geography are all considered sciences for the purposes of admissions. Although PE is accepted as a third A level, it is not a science for the purpose of admissions.

• There is no advantage in applying for both MBiol and BSc degrees; students can seek to transfer between these degrees at the end of Year 2.

• Continuation on the MBiol degree course after Year 2 is dependent on achieving satisfactory performance at Year 2, according to University regulations; failure to achieve this standard will result in an automatic transfer to the three year BSc.

• If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications 

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Full Time Fees

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.

In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of;

1. 6%, or,
2. the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Students receive an outstanding education in biosciences, also gaining valuable transferable skills to prepare them for future challenges, enhancing personal development and improving their employment prospects. These skills can be applied to roles across a range of sectors preparing students to be active thinkers and future leaders.

Graduates have gone on to roles in teaching, the health sector, industrial R&D and biotechnology, management, accountancy, conservation, ecological and environmental services, broadcast and print science journalism, environmental and biological patent law, the pharmaceutical industry, the civil service, and the armed services. Graduates have also entered the NHS scientist training program. A large number also progress to postgraduate study at universities across the UK and overseas.

The ever-changing discipline of Biosciences gives us valuable insight into life in its many different forms, from molecules to global populations. Biosciences explores many of the fundamentally important questions facing humankind – finding the answers will shape the future of life on Earth.

The discipline of Biosciences is wide ranging, with many different branches of study. Spanning topics from botany to food science, immunology to zoology, it has the potential to transform societies, economies and tackle global challenges. In a changing world, bioscience has never been more important. 

We are a community that shares a passion for education and development. Our work addresses many of the important challenges facing humankind, including climate change and biodiversity conservation, developing new technologies for healthcare, and feeding an increasing human population. 

Our research-led approach to teaching has been designed to immerse you in a mix of theoretical and practical learning from day one, equipping you with a wide range of analytical and practical skills that will prepare you to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

You can choose to follow a three-year BSc route, add a work placement year or a year abroad, or take a four-year MBiol route with a research focus. Students have the option to undertake a residential field course as part of the degree, with recent locations ranging from South Africa to Scotland and the neo-tropics where students learn how to use tools that can measure the carbon flux induced by climate change.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 4th in The Guardian University Guide 2024

• 5th in The Complete University Guide 2024

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Biosciences Department pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 100% internationally recognised research environment (REF 2021)

Facilities

We are located just a short walk from the historic centre of Durham, with other academic departments and university services nearby.

We are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. Our equipment includes electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy, transgenic studies, genomics, DNA analysis and proteomics, bioinformatics, remote sensing, ecological field sampling and computer modelling. Teaching and research in the Department covers the breadth of the biological sciences, and often collaborate on projects with other disciplines such as the physical sciences.

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