The main method of delivery in the first three years of study are lectures, supplemented by practical classes and workshops. Lectures represent the largest proportion of the allocated contact hours and allow the effective delivery of large amounts of knowledge, which forms the factual basis of a science subject.

At Year 1 the emphasis is on core knowledge across the broad spectrum of the sub-disciplines of biological and biomedical sciences. In Years 2 and 3, there are more specialised modules enabling you to focus on a particular sub-discipline, with elements of choice in the course. As the degree progresses, there is an increasing emphasis on showing that biosciences is based on experimental evidence gained through research. At Year 3 lecturing is research-led and based on staff research interests. The proportion of the course delivered through lectures is less in Year 3, to allow a greater emphasis on your own research activities.

The lectures are supplemented by timetabled surgery sessions, which are used for problem-solving. Lecturing staff answer specific questions about the material they have taught through email, and by personal meetings; the Department has an "open-office" policy for responding to such queries. Typically, taught modules contain 35 one-hour lectures, two workshops, and one surgery session. You will take five compulsory taught modules in Year 1, six taught modules in Year 2, and four taught modules in Year 3, with two modules aligned to major pieces of research work. In the final year, there is a single taught Masters-level module on research skills, and five module equivalents based on research work.

Practical classes are a major component of contact hours and are an essential part of training in an experimental science like biosciences. Year 1 practical classes are used to train you in the basic techniques required for experimental work in the full range of biological sciences, you will specialise in specific techniques and areas of experimental work through module choice in Year 2. The practical classes are supplemented by workshops in which data handling techniques are taught. In both Years 1 and 2, the load of practical classes overall is one-two three-hour sessions per week. There are no, practical classes in taught modules in Year 3, since you will carry out two research modules at this level. The first is a field course or laboratory-based extended workshop, which offers you two working weeks' contact with staff. The second is a literature review, with a topic chosen from current areas of interest in biological sciences. This involves approximately six-eight hours non-timetabled contact with a supervisor. The fourth year of study will include an additional field course or workshop, and an extended research module extending across the majority of the year. This will involve you in a large amount of contact time with supervisory staff, typically involving weekly meetings during the project period, and working in close collaboration with research being carried out in the Department.

The philosophy is to have directed teaching and learning in Years 1 and 2, within which you are expected to develop self-guided and motivated learning, leading to a much greater emphasis on independent learning in Year 3, developing you to a Masters-level of research in Year 4.

Support is provided by a system of tutorial classes and academic advisers. Each taught module in Years 1 and 2 contains two tutorial classes, which are used to deliver specific content related to academic support, via small group interaction with academic staff. There is an emphasis on discussion and enhancement of the learning experience. Academic adviser sessions are used to deal with specific issues relevant to you, such as feedback on exam performance. Combined with project supervision, the tutorial/academic adviser system offers you fortnightly sessions with a tutor or academic adviser throughout your time here. A course leader provides overall academic support.

A level offer – AAA including Biology or Chemistry or Human Biology plus another science subject.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 37 with 666 in higher level subjects including Biology or Chemistry plus another higher level science subject.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

• Psychology, Maths and Geography are all considered sciences for the purposes of admissions. Although PE is accepted as a third A level, it is not a science for the purpose of admissions.

• There is no advantage in applying for both MBiol and BSc degrees; students can seek to transfer between these degrees at the end of Year 2.

• Continuation on the MBiol degree course after Year 2 is dependent on achieving satisfactory performance at Year 2, according to University regulations; failure to achieve this standard will result in an automatic transfer to the three year BSc.

• If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

Full Time Fees

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 86% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 83% are in high skilled employment
• With an average salary of £28,000.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

The science of the 21st century. Bioscience is the fundamental science of life, and recent key developments make the 21st century a most exciting era in which important biological challenges will be met and resolved. Our bioscientists are tackling challenges that include climate change and biodiversity conservation, developing new technologies for human healthcare, and feeding an increasing human population.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 5th in The Times and Sunday Times for graduate employment 2022 and in The Complete University Guide 2023
• 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2022.

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Biosciences Department pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 100% internationally recognised research environment (REF 2021)

Facilities

Our research covers the breadth of the biological sciences, and we often work at the interface with other disciplines such as the physical sciences. We have outstanding research infrastructure and equipment in genomics, bioimaging and mass spectrometry, and plant and animal growth facilities.

Find out more:

Lectures represent the largest proportion of teaching hours allowing the effective delivery of knowledge and forming the factual basis of this science subject. You will also benefit from practical classes which provide hands-on experience of experimental techniques.

Year 1 provides teaching across the full spectrum of biological science sub-disciplines alongside practical experience and workshops on data handling techniques to help you develop a range of adaptable skills.

The degree develops with workshops, research-based projects and literature reviews taking the place of practical classes and an emphasis on independent learning, providing an opportunity for further developing your interests and research skills as you start to prepare for postgraduate life and employment.

Assessment

Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations as well as coursework including essays, laboratory reports, case studies, oral presentations and posters.

Literature reviews (dissertation), project reports and laboratory workshop/fieldwork reports are an important part of this degree. The final-year research project is assessed through a full Master’s-level thesis.

A level offer – AAA including Biology or Chemistry or Human Biology plus another science subject.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – DDD and A level requirements as above.

IB Diploma score – 37 with 666 in higher level subjects including Biology or Chemistry plus another higher level science subject.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

• We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. Please contact our Admissions Selectors.

• Psychology, Maths and Geography are all considered sciences for the purposes of admissions. Although PE is accepted as a third A level, it is not a science for the purpose of admissions.

• There is no advantage in applying for both MBiol and BSc degrees; students can seek to transfer between these degrees at the end of Year 2.

• Continuation on the MBiol degree course after Year 2 is dependent on achieving satisfactory performance at Year 2, according to University regulations; failure to achieve this standard will result in an automatic transfer to the three year BSc.

• If you do not satisfy our general entry requirements, the Foundation Programme offers multidisciplinary degrees to prepare you for a range of specified degree courses.

• We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Science A levels

Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.

Alternative qualifications

• Other UK qualifications

• EU qualifications

• International qualifications

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.

English language requirements

Country specific information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Not only will you receive an outstanding education in biosciences, but you will also gain valuable transferable skills to prepare you for future challenges, enhance your personal development and improve your employment prospects. These skills can be applied to roles across a range of sectors as we prepare you to be active thinkers and future leaders.

Graduates have gone on to roles in teaching, the health sector, industrial R&D and biotechnology within the private sector, management, accountancy, conservation, ecological and environmental services, broadcast and print science journalism, environmental and biological patent law, the pharmaceutical industry, the civil service, and the armed services. Graduates of the Biomedical Sciences degree also enter the NHS as trainee clinical scientists. A number also progress to postgraduate study at universities across the UK and overseas.

Of those students who graduated in 2019:

• 86% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes

Of those in employment:

• 83% are in high skilled employment
• With an average salary of £28,000.

(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)

The discipline of Biosciences is wide ranging, with many different branches of study. Spanning topics from botany to food science, immunology to zoology, it has the potential to transform societies, economies and tackle global challenges. In a changing world, bioscience has never been more important.

We are a community that shares a passion for education and development. Our work addresses many of the important challenges facing humankind, including climate change and biodiversity conservation, developing new technologies for healthcare, and feeding an increasing human population.

Our research-led approach to teaching has been designed to immerse you in a mix of theoretical and practical learning from day one, equipping you with a wide range of analytical and practical skills that will prepare you to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

You can choose to follow a three-year BSc route, add a work placement year or a year abroad, or take a four-year MBiol route with a research focus.

All students have the option to undertake a residential field course as part of the degree, with recent locations ranging from South Africa to Scotland, the Alps to the Arctic where students learnt how to use tools that can measure the carbon flux induced by climate change.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 3rd in The Guardian University Guide 2023
• 5th in The Complete University Guide 2023
• 8th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

Staff

For a current list of staff, please see the Biosciences Department pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 100% internationally recognised research environment (REF 2021)

Facilities

We are located just a short walk from the historic centre of Durham, with other academic departments and university services nearby.

We are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. Our equipment includes electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy, transgenic studies, genomics, DNA analysis and proteomics, bioinformatics, remote sensing, ecological field sampling and computer modelling. Teaching and research in the Department covers the breadth of the biological sciences, and often collaborate on projects with other disciplines such as the physical sciences.

Find out more: