BSc Biological Sciences
About this course
Bachelor of Science Biological Sciences BSc is a biology degree focused on the study of living organisms and biological systems across multiple scales. Core topics include Data Analysis, Fieldwork, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. The programme is accredited and features specialist degree labels. The first year covers core areas through Cell Biology & Physiology, Genetics I, and Molecular Biosciences and Microbiology. The second year requires LI Communication and Enterprise alongside LI Genetic Engineering and Data Science, while allowing students to select modules contributing to specific specialisms including Zoology, Genetics, Conservation Biology, Food Security and Sustainability, Human Health and Disease, and Microbiology and Infection. The final year includes project options such as Practical Project and Evidence-based literature review and critical analysis informed project proposal, alongside advanced modules like Cancer Biology and Omics for Biomedical Research.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB to include specific subjects - see below for details. IB: 6,6,5 to include specific subjects - see below for details. BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate are accepted, but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance
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What students say
Based on about 45 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started
- Continued on course: 97%
- Left higher education: 3%
What graduates do next
Based on about 33 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 33%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 20%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 90 students who started
- A levels: 91%
- Access course: 1%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
- Other qualifications: 3%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Cell Biology & Physiology
- Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology
- Discovering Biosciences Skills and Enterprise
- Ecological Concepts and Plant Sciences
- Genetics I
- Molecular Biosciences and Microbiology
- Academic Communication Skills for Biosciences
- Essentials of Cell Biology & Physiology
- The following must be taken: Module Title Code Credits Semester LI Communication and Enterprise 03 41709 20 Full Term LI Genetic Engineering and Data Science 03 41710 20 Full Term Choose 80 credits from the following: Modules that contribute to the Zoology specialism: Module Title Code Credits Semester LI Animal Biology: Principles and Mechanisms 03 28822 20 Semester 2 LI Evolution of Humans and Other Animals 03 28780 20 Semester 1 LI Field Course: Adaptations to Aquatic Environments 03 24986 20 Semester 2 Modules that contribute to the Genetics specialism: Module Title Code Credits Semester LI Genetics II 03 13160 20 Semester 2 Modules that contribute to the Conservation Biology specialism: Module Title Code Credits Semester LI Alpine and Glacial Ecology in Norway 03 22127 20 Semester 1 LI Animal Biology: Principles and Mechanisms 03 28822 20 Semester 2 LI Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems 03 30145 20 Semester 2 Modules that contribute to the Food Security and Sustainability specialism: Module Title Code Credits Semester LI Alpine and Glacial Ecology in Norway 03 22127 20 Semester 1 LI Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems 03 30145 20 Semester 2 LI Plant Sciences: from cells to the environment 03 13282 20 Semester 1 Modules that contribute to the Human Health and Disease specialism: Module Title Code Credits Semester LI Cell and Developmental Biology 03 24985 20 Semester 2 LI Evolution of Humans and Other Animals 03 28780 20 Semester 1 LI Human Structure and Function 03 26999 20 Semester 2 LI Microbiology: Medicine, Environment, and Industry 03 37115 20 Semester 1 LI Topics in Medical Biosciences 03 18540 20 Semester 1 Modules that contribute to the Microbiology and Infection specialism: Module Title Code Credits Semester LI Microbiology: Medicine, Environment, and Industry 03 37115 20 Semester 1
- LI Communication and Enterprise
- LI Genetic Engineering and Data Science
- LI Animal Biology: Principles and Mechanisms
- LI Evolution of Humans and Other Animals
- LI Field Course: Adaptations to Aquatic Environments
- LI Genetics II
- LI Alpine and Glacial Ecology in Norway
- LI Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems
- LI Plant Sciences: from cells to the environment
- LI Cell and Developmental Biology
- LI Human Structure and Function
- LI Microbiology: Medicine, Environment, and Industry
- LI Topics in Medical Biosciences
- Evidence-based literature review and critical analysis informed project proposal
- Introduction to Teaching Biosciences in Schools with Evidence-Based Literature Review
- Practical Project
- Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems
- Conservation: theory into practice
- Evolution of Vertebrates
- Bacterial Gene Regulation
- Cancer Biology
- Current developments and advances in Eukaryotic Genetics
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression
- Omics for Biomedical Research
- Responses to Global Environmental Change
- Microbial Pathogenicity and Disease
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology
- Cellular Neurobiology
- Structures of Destruction: the structural biology of pathogenicity
- Arctic Microbiology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Biological Sciences at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £44,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Biology.
What do graduates of BSc Biological Sciences at University of Birmingham do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Biological Sciences at University of Birmingham?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Biological Sciences at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 132 UCAS points.
Is BSc Biological Sciences at University of Birmingham accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
How many students continue on BSc Biological Sciences at University of Birmingham?
97% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.