Biological Sciences BSc
London, Bloomsbury
This is the programme information for 2026 entry
If you require details of the previous year's programme, Biological Sciences BSc (2025), click here
Gain the core competencies and skills needed to become a professional biologist. This flexible BSc lets you combine a broad base of biological scientific knowledge with a chosen specialism, so you can shape the programme to match your research and career goals.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
Programme starts
September 2026Application deadline
14 Jan 2026UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- Biology required plus one from Chemistry, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- ABB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Biology at grade A required plus one from Chemistry, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
- Points
- 38
- Subjects
- 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. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 34 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including Biology at grade 6 and one from Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, with no score below 5. For Mathematics, the programme will accept either 'Analysis and Approaches' or 'Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Biology required plus one from Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics
A,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). Biology required plus one from Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics at Advanced Higher.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 4
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
On this programme, you’ll address real research questions at one of the world’s leading biological science departments, with opportunities to hone your expertise and contribute to ongoing research in your chosen specialism.
You’ll spend your first year acquiring a foundational understanding across the different areas of biological science, and building the critical analytical skills and rigour needed to investigate and communicate effectively as a scientist.
At the end of your first year, you’ll be given a choice: remain on the generalist study path, or select one of six biosciences specialisms, that include biodiversity and conservation, genetics, computational biology and zoology. You can also choose to transfer between the BSc and the MSci, at any point before the end of the second year.
In the third year of the BSc, you’ll embark on either a lab-based, collaborative or literature-based research project. You’ll tackle current scientific areas of interest, working alongside world leaders in your chosen specialism as part of a research group at UCL or one of our partner institutions such as the Francis Crick Institute, Natural History Museum or the Zoological Society of London.
As an MSci student, your third year will be divided between advanced modules in areas like genetics and evolution, a literature-based research project and advanced skill building. This lays the groundwork for a year-long research project, designed and implemented with your project tutor, working in the same way as you would on a PhD.
There’s also a significant element of optional field work and travel, with field trips to Blakeney Point in Norfolk, the Lake District and southern Spain. MSci students can also spend a year studying abroad, and biodiversity and conservation specialists can enjoy a tropical field trip in Kenya.
What this course will give you
- Study at the UCL Faculty of Life Sciences, which over its history has been associated with multiple Nobel Prizes.
- Build valuable computational skills and experience, working with the latest research datasets and programming languages such as R and Python.
- Immerse yourself in research culture, and enjoy opportunities to work with prestigious research groups at institutes such as the Natural History Museum, the Francis Crick Institute or the Zoological Society of London.
- Leave well equipped to pursue a PhD, or to take any number of highly-skilled roles or internships in the healthcare, biotech or pharmaceutical industries.
- Develop entrepreneurial skills and explore the possibilities of launching a start-up through UCL Innovation and Enterprise (with over 300 start-ups launched since 2010, securing over £280 million in investment).
- Study in the heart of London at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, a district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.
- Broaden your horizons, with both national and international field trips and options to spend a year studying abroad for the MSci students.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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In Year 1, you’ll take eight 15-credit compulsory modules which provide a foundation to the biological sciences.
In Year 2, you choose to either stay on the generalist Biological Sciences programme, or transfer to one of the following specialised programmes:
- Biological Sciences: Biodiversity and Conservation
- Biological Sciences: Cell and Developmental Biology
- Biological Sciences: Computational Biology
- Biological Sciences: Genetics
- Biological Sciences: Human Genetics
- Biological Sciences: Zoology
In Year 2, each of these programmes consists of either five or six compulsory modules, along with three or four optional modules, depending on your chosen specialism.
In Year 3, your final year, you’ll complete either a laboratory-based research project (45 credits), a collaborative research project (45 credits) or a literature-based research project (30 credits).
In addition, you’ll choose 60 to 90 credits of optional modules depending on your chosen project and specialist degree programme.
Each year, there are compulsory Core Skills modules, aimed at developing the fundamental skills needed as a research scientist.
Students on the three-year BSc programme will have the opportunity to transfer onto the four-year MSci programme before the end of year 2. This will also give you the opportunity to apply for the optional year abroad programme.
Compulsory modules
The modules given below are based on the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.
Compulsory module(s)
BIOC0001: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
BIOL0001: Quantitative Biology
BIOL0002: First Year Core Skills
BIOL0003: Introduction to Genetics
BIOL0004: Life on Earth
BIOL0006: Methods in Ecology and Evolution
CELL0007: Cells and Development
Optional modules
There are two optional modules that can be taken in the first year. You are required to select one optional module from the Term 1 list and one optional module from the Term 2 list:
Term 1 Optional Modules:
BIOL0005: Fundamentals of Biology OR CHEM0010: Chemistry for Biologists
Term 2 Optional Modules:
BIOL0055: Biodiversity and Conservation OR BIOC0004: Introduction to Microbiology
Compulsory modules
Route Options
In the second year, you will have the opportunity to either remain on the generalist Biological Sciences degree programme, or select a specialist Route in:
Biological Sciences: Biodiversity and Conservation
Biological Sciences: Cell and Developmental Biology
Biological Sciences: Genetics
Biological Sciences: Human Genetics
Biological Sciences: Zoology
Each degree programme has a range of compulsory and optional modules.
The modules given below are based on the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.
Compulsory module(s)
1) Biological Sciences
BIOL0008: Fundamentals of Molecular Biology
BIOL0012: Animal Biodiversity
BIOL0013: The Biology of Development
BIOL0015: Second Year Core Skills
BIOL0030: Energy and Evolution
2) Biological Sciences: Biodiversity and Conservation
BIOL0007: Introduction to Field Ecology
BIOL0012: Animal Biodiversity
BIOL0014: Fundamentals of Ecology
BIOL0015: Second Year Core Skills
BIOL0029: Computational Biology
GEOG0020: Ecological Patterns and Processes
3) Biological Sciences: Cell and Developmental Biology
BIOC0005: Molecular Biology
BIOL0013: The Biology of Development
BIOL0015: Second Year Core Skills
CELL0009: Intermediate Cell Biology: Cell Structure and Function
4) Biological Sciences: Genetics
BIOL0008: Fundamentals of Molecular Biology
BIOL0010: Introduction to Human Genetics
BIOL0011: Evolutionary Genetics
BIOL0015: Second Year Core Skills
BIOL0013: The Biology of Development
BIOL0029: Computational Biology
5) Biological Sciences: Human Genetics
BIOC0005: Molecular Biology
BIOL0010: Introduction to Human Genetics
BIOL0011: Evolutionary Genetics
BIOL0015: Second Year Core Skills
BIOL0029: Computational Biology
6) Biological Sciences: Zoology
BIOL0008: Fundamentals of Molecular Biology
BIOL0011: Evolutionary Genetics
BIOL0012: Animal Biodiversity
BIOL0013: The Biology of Development
BIOL0014: Fundamental of Ecology
BIOL0015: Second Year Core Skills
Optional modules
You will select between 45 and 60 credits (depending on the degree route selected) from a wide range of optional modules in your chosen degree programme and from other approved disciplines within UCL.
Compulsory modules
Compulsory module(s)
For students on all degree programmes, you are required to take Core Skills Y3: Advanced Paper and Seminar Discussion (0 Credits) and 1 project module from an option of 3:
BIOL0061: Collaborative Project in the Biological Sciences (45 Credits)
OR
BIOL0019: Advanced Research Project in Biological Sciences (45 Credits)
OR
BIOL0018: Advanced Investigative Project in Biological Sciences (30 Credits)
In addition, for students on the Genetics and Human Genetics degree programmes only, BIOL0021: Advanced Human Genetics is compulsory.
Optional modules
You are required to select between 60 and 90 credits (depending on the project selected and degree route) from a wide range of optional modules in your chosen degree route and from other approved disciplines within UCL.
Your learning
You’ll build your knowledge and skills through a varied range of teaching, lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, problem-based learning, e-learning and supported personal study.
From day one, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in UCL's world-leading research. You’ll engage with the research of academics from our research department or partner institutions, through access to their (often yet-to-be-published) datasets, and through direct work in the laboratory.
You’ll also get opportunities to study animals and plants in their natural habitats.
There are optional field courses you may wish to take in your degree. All students will have the option of studying at our Blakeney Point field station in Norfolk in Year 1. In Year 2, we run two field trips, which are only available to students on specific routes. The first of these takes place in the south of Spain and the second is run in the Lake District, UK.
Your typical contact hours vary between 10-20 hours per week, depending on module choice, and include lectures, seminars and e-learning activities.
You’ll also need to demonstrate a level of independent study (10-20 hours per week).
Your independent studies will increase in the third year, due to the greater emphasis on research. Third year contact hours vary between 10-20 hours per week.
Assessment
Your progress and achievements will typically be assessed through a combination of examinations and coursework. Coursework can include practical reports, tutorial exercises, essays, poster presentations, multimedia presentations, oral presentations, and scientific papers.
Assessment methods used may vary, depending on the optional and elective modules you choose.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.
The foundation of your career
After graduating, you’ll be ready to pursue a wide range of public and private sector careers. These include public health and social policy roles, as well as the civil service, finance, scientific consultancy, pharmaceutical companies, biotech and medicine.
Previous graduates have gone on to work for organisations such as Public Health England, HSBC, Price Waterhouse Coopers and the NHS. 80% of our students are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2021-2022).
You could also explore an academic or biological research career through postgraduate and doctoral studies.
Employability
As a graduate of this degree, you’ll develop a strong base of bioscience expertise and technical laboratory competencies, along with research, statistical and analytical problem-solving skills.
You’ll also develop a range of highly sought after transferable professional skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, data literacy, analysis and visualisation, and presentation training.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £9,535 |
| Tuition fees (2025/26) | £36,500 |
Fees are for Undergraduate 2025/26 entry and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases and are subject to the passing of secondary legislation. Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2025/26 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
You’ll need to purchase a lab coat, costing approximately £10-£20.
The programme offers optional field trips in every year. Should you choose to participate, you’ll be expected to be able to bring basic field equipment (including sleeping bag and torch), suitable clothing (including waterproofs and walking boots) and may be expected to pay some travel costs.
Students on the BSc Biological Sciences: Biodiversity and Conservation are required to take the compulsory field-based module 'Introduction to Field Ecology'.
The exact cost of each field trip will depend on the location, prevailing exchange rates, and the price of travel and accommodation.
For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
We’re looking for applicants with a deep interest and curiosity in biology.
You’ll be expected to apply quantitative evidence-based techniques (often involving mathematical or data analysis processes) to address complex bioscience problems that might require an interdisciplinary approach.
From day one, you should also be ready to acquire a wide range of new research and professional skills.
Your application should demonstrate how you’ve developed your interest in biology, and the steps you’ve already taken toward becoming a biologist.
How to apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
You will have the chance to talk to current students and staff and ask any questions you might have about studying the Biological Sciences BSc, or about UCL in general. If we have made you an offer, you will be invited to attend an offer-holder event. This may include talks from staff about the programme and the department. It could also include a research presentation, tours of UCL and the department, and a visit to a laboratory facility.
Got questions? Get in touch
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