BSc Biological Sciences
About this course
The BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences is an undergraduate biology degree examining life from cells and molecules through to organisms and their environments. Core topics include research methods and fieldwork. Students can shape the degree around themed routes such as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Plant Science, Genetics, and Ecology and Environmental Science. An optional year abroad at an overseas partner institution or a placement year is available, extending the course from three to four years. The first year establishes core biology through Molecules and Cells, Genetics, Introduction to Physiology, and Organisms and their Environment, alongside Fundamentals of Bioscience Research, which covers practical research techniques; students also select a module from a cognate subject area in another department. Year 2 develops research-led learning skills through Research Skills for Biosciences, while optional modules span topics such as Ecology, Plant and Algal Physiology – The Power of Plants, Cell Signalling, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immune Systems and Metabolism. In the final year, students complete a Literature Review, examining research literature in a chosen topic area under supervision and producing a critical review article. The Research Module offers a research project, an enterprise task developing the business case for a biotech product, an education project with teaching practice in a local school, or a communications option. The Workshop or Field Course is compulsory, with the field course running as a two-week residential programme including sites in the UK and abroad. Final-year optional modules include Advanced Topics in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Cellular Biochemistry, Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Genomics and Biology of Disease.
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 or Chemistry or Human Biology plus another science subject. IB: 36 with 666 in higher level subjects including Biology or Chemistry plus another higher level science subject.
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 58%: 355 offers from 610 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 83 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 94%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 125 students who started
- Continued on course: 99%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 43 graduates who answered
- Working: 56%
- Working and studying: 14%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 6%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 9%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 35%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 135 students who started
- A levels: 99%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Molecules and Cells
- Genetics
- Introduction to Physiology
- Organisms and their Environment
- Fundamentals of Bioscience Research
- Example optional modules
- Research Skills for Biosciences
- Example optional modules
- Literature Review
- Research Module
- Workshop (laboratory-based) or Field Course (field-based) (20 credits) .
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Biological Sciences at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £29,500 after 3 years, £37,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,500 and £56,000. The £37,000 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Biology.
What do graduates of BSc Biological Sciences at Durham University do next?
84% 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 Durham University?
94% 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 Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 173 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Biological Sciences at Durham University?
58% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 355 offers from 610 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Biological Sciences at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Biological Sciences at Durham University?
99% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.