MSci Biological Sciences
About this course
MSci in Biological Sciences, a biology degree offering advanced training across the discipline over four academic years. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Human Behaviour. The course includes a research-intensive specialist pathway and an optional year abroad. The first year introduces core themes through compulsory modules such as Foundations of Life, Organisms, Evolution and Ecology, Molecular Cell Biology, and Cells to Organisms. The second year expands technical proficiency with compulsory study in Fundamentals of Molecular Biology and Animal Biodiversity, while optional choices span Plant Biology, Infection, and Drugs and the Mind. The third year centres on the Advanced Dissertation in Biosciences alongside optional topics including Human Behavioural Ecology, Computational and Systems Biology, and Vertebrate Life and Evolution. The final fourth year culminates in the compulsory MSci Extended Research Project in Biological Sciences, complemented by advanced options such as Advanced Computational Biology, Advances in Neurogenetics, and Immunology in Health and 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 (Biology required plus one from Chemistry, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics.) IB: 38 points (A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects including Biology at grade 6 and one from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, with no higher level score below 5. The course will accept either ‘Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches’ or ‘Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation’ at higher level.)
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What students say
Based on about 149 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 69%
- Academic support: 80%
- Organisation and management: 83%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 21 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 35%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 30%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Animal care and control services: 10%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 60 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 14%
- London: 54%
- South East: 13%
- South West: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 115 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 81%
- Baccalaureate: 16%
- A degree: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Biological Sciences Specialism 1
- Biological Sciences Specialism 2
- Foundations of Life
- Organisms, Evolution and Ecology
- Year 1: Fundamental Scientific Skills and Grand Challenges
- Year 1: Foundations of Programming and Data Handling
- Molecular Cell Biology
- Cells to Organisms
- Fundamentals of Molecular Biology
- Animal Biodiversity
- Year 2: Applied Data Science and Software Engineering
- Year 2: Developing Scientific Skills and Exploring Grand Challenges
- Evolutionary Genetics
- Fundamentals of Ecology
- Field module in Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics
- Data Science Methods in Biology
- Plant Biology
- Intermediate Cell Biology: Cell Structure and Function
- Intermediate Cell Biology: Cell Biology of Development
- Infection
- Drugs and the Mind
- Advanced Dissertation in Biosciences
- Human Behavioural Ecology
- People and Conservation
- Computational and Systems Biology
- Sex, Genes and Evolution
- Biology of Ageing
- Regulatory Genomics and Evolution
- Biodiversity Conservation and Ethics
- Vertebrate Life and Evolution
- Plant Evolution and Ecology
- Behavioural Ecology for the Anthropocene
- MSci Extended Research Project in Biological Sciences
- Advanced Computational Biology
- Science Communications for Biologists
- Research Seminar Series
- From Theory to Practice: Science in the Real World
- Advances in Neurogenetics
- Immunology in Health and Disease
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Biological Sciences at University College London earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £32,000 after 3 years, £40,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £52,000. The £40,000 median after five years is £9,500 more than the UK median for Biology.
What do graduates of MSci Biological Sciences at University College London 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 at University College London?
88% 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 at University College London?
The typical offer is AAA at A level, or 38 points in the IB. The average entrant had 163 UCAS points.
How many students continue on MSci Biological Sciences at University College London?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.