MSci Biology
About this course
MSci Hons in Biology, a biology degree spanning cellular mechanisms to whole ecosystems and environmental dynamics. Core topics include Laboratory Techniques, Fieldwork, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, and Environmental Analysis. This four-year integrated master's programme includes a substantial third-year research project and an extended research project in the fourth year, offering opportunities for practical work in specialized laboratories and field settings. The first year establishes fundamental scientific principles through compulsory modules such as Evolutionary Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Introduction to Biosciences, and Molecules to Cells, with additional options available in areas like ecology and pharmacology. In the second year, students build upon these principles through a wide selection of optional modules covering Biochemistry of Cellular Metabolism, Biological Research Design and Delivery, Cell and Developmental Biology, Drug Design and Development, Ecology and Conservation, Ecology Field Skills, Evolution, Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Life Cycle of Proteins, Microbiology and Immunology, Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology, Plant Biology, and Vertebrate Biology. The third year continues with the Biosciences Research Project as a compulsory element alongside specialized optional modules including Advanced Drug Design and Development, Advanced Neuroscience - Circuits and Systems, Animal Behaviour, Bioinformatics, Biology of Ageing, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Cell Signalling in Health and Disease, Coral Reef Ecology, Ethics in Biomedicine, Global Health Challenges, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science, Marine Ecology Field Course, Medical Genetics and Clinical Immunology, Sustainable Agriculture, and Tropical Ecology and Conservation Field Course. The final fourth year centres on the Biosciences Integrated Master's Research Project and advanced optional modules such as Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security, Aquatic Ecology, Brain Disorders, Cancer - Bench to Bedside, Conservation Science, Drug Development from Concept to Clinic, Ecological Monitoring Techniques, Emerging Therapeutics in Immunology, Habitat Management, Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Sustaining Soil Health.
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. This should include Biology and one other science subject from: Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. IB: 36 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in Biology HL and 6 in one other HL science subject from Chemistry, Computer Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology
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What students say
Based on about 21 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 52%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 9%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 15%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 50 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics and Biotechnology
- Introduction to Biosciences
- Molecules to Cells
- Biodiversity and Global Change
- Ecology Field and Data Skills
- Foundations of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science
- Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity
- Biochemistry of Cellular Metabolism
- Biological Research Design and Delivery
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Drug Design and Development
- Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology Field Skills
- Evolution
- Fundamentals of Neuroscience
- Life Cycle of Proteins
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Molecular Genetics
- Pharmacology
- Plant Biology
- Vertebrate Biology
- Biosciences Research Project
- Advanced Drug Design and Development
- Advanced Neuroscience - Circuits and Systems
- Animal Behaviour
- Bioinformatics
- Biology of Ageing
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
- Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
- Coral Reef Ecology
- Ethics in Biomedicine
- Global Health Challenges
- Interdisciplinary Conservation Science
- Marine Ecology Field Course
- Medical Genetics and Clinical Immunology
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Tropical Ecology and Conservation Field Course
- Biosciences Integrated Master's Research Project
- Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security
- Aquatic Ecology
- Brain Disorders
- Cancer - Bench to Bedside
- Conservation Science
- Drug Development from Concept to Clinic
- Ecological Monitoring Techniques
- Emerging Therapeutics in Immunology
- Habitat Management
- Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Sustaining Soil Health
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Biology at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £42,500. The £33,000 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Biology.
What do graduates of MSci Biology at Lancaster 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 MSci Biology at Lancaster University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Biology at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
How many students continue on MSci Biology at Lancaster University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.