MBiol Biosciences
About this course
MBiol (Hons) in Biosciences, a biology degree built around research-led teaching and practical training. Core topics include Research Methods and Fieldwork. From the middle years students follow one of several themed routes: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Ecology and Environmental Science. The final year includes an independent Project and a two-week residential field course. The first year covers foundations through Molecules and Cells, Genetics, Introduction to Physiology and Organisms and their Environment, alongside Fundamentals of Bioscience Research, which builds the basic toolkit for research. An optional module is drawn from a cognate subject area offered by another department. Year 2 focuses on Research Skills for Biosciences, with optional modules spanning Ecology, Behaviour, Evolution, Plant and Algal Physiology – The Power of Plants, Cell Signalling, Development, Microbiology and Metabolism. Year 3 comprises a laboratory-based Workshop or field-based field course, a Research module and a supervised Literature review, with options such as Conservation Biology, Ecology in the Anthropocene, Genomics, Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering and Ageing. The final year pairs a Project spanning modern biological and biomedical sciences with a second Workshop or the two-week residential field course, and Research Skills covering communication of current research and reflection on employability.
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 54%: 70 offers from 130 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 100%
- Learning opportunities: 95%
- Assessment and feedback: 88%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Information Technology Professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- 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 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 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
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
- Workshop (laboratory-based) or field course (field-based)
- Research module
- Literature review
- Example optional modules
- Project
- Workshop (laboratory-based) or field course (field-based)
- Research Skills
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MBiol Biosciences 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 MBiol Biosciences at Durham University do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MBiol Biosciences at Durham University?
100% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MBiol Biosciences at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 172 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MBiol Biosciences at Durham University?
54% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 70 offers from 130 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on MBiol Biosciences at Durham University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.