MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement
About this course
Master in Science in Biological Sciences with Professional Placement, a biology degree encompassing organismal systems, molecular mechanisms, and environmental interactions. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. Students undertake a professional placement year involving a work-based literature review, project design, and research project. The first year covers fundamental concepts through Cell Biology & Physiology, Discovering Biosciences Skills and Enterprise, Molecular Biosciences and Microbiology, and Ecological Concepts and Plant Sciences. The second year expands into specialized areas with Genetic Engineering and Data Science, Animal Biology: Principles and Mechanisms, Field Course: Adaptations to Aquatic Environments, and Microbiology: Medicine, Environment, and Industry. The third year consists of a professional placement incorporating a Work Based Literature Review and Project Design alongside a Work Based Research Project. The final fourth year offers advanced study and specialization through modules such as Funding Science, Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems, 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: AAA including Biology / Human Biology + 1 from Chemistry / Physics / Maths / Further Maths / Statistics / Geology / Geography / Psychology. IB: 6,6,6 including Biology / Human Biology + 1 from Chemistry / Physics / Maths: Analysis and Approaches / Maths: Applications and Interpretation/ Statistics / Geology / Geography / Psychology. 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 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 98%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- This course is accredited at advanced level by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol). Graduates can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Member (MRSB) level after two years of practice, rather than the usual three years, due to the significant research experience acquired.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Cell Biology & Physiology
- Discovering Biosciences Skills and Enterprise
- Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology
- Molecular Biosciences and Microbiology
- Ecological Concepts and Plant Sciences
- Genetics I
- Academic Communication Skills for Biosciences
- Essentials of Cell Biology & Physiology
- 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
- Work Based Literature Review and Project Design
- Work Based Research Project
- Research Project (PP)
- Funding Science
- Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems
- Conservation: theory into practice
- Evolution of Vertebrates
- Cancer Biology
- Eukaryotic Gene Expression
- Current developments and advances in Eukaryotic Genetics
- Bacterial Gene Regulation
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement 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 MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement 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 MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
Is MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham accredited?
Yes. This course is accredited at advanced level by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol). Graduates can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Member (MRSB) level after two years of practice, rather than the usual three years, due to the significant research experience acquired.
Does MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on MSci Biological Sciences with Professional Placement at University of Birmingham?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.