Program Overview

---

Biological Sciences

Overview

This course offers you the flexibility to discover what kind of biologist you want to be. You'll have the freedom to choose the topics you want to study across the breadth of biology; whether your interests lie in the environment, threatened species, plants, molecular biosciences, or span all areas.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Amazing facilities
• Course flexibility
• Employment success
• Strong industry links
• International exchanges
• Learn a language
• Study abroad

Course Details

Course Structure

• In your first year , you will gain vital primary experiences of what it is to be a bioscientist. You’ll also have the option of a residential field course. Your first year will help you tailor your module choices for the following years.
• In Year 2 , you’ll cover molecular biology, take a deeper look at cell biology, and genomes. You’ll learn how to program bespoke solutions to biological problems from a computational perspective.
• Your third (or fourth if you do a placement year) will focus on fine-tuning your professional skills and techniques through a choice of modules across a wide range of specialities.
• In the final year of the MBiol integrated masters you’ll focus on a major research project.

Learning and Teaching

• You'll focus on applying your knowledge in practical settings, either in the lab or out in the field.
• You'll have the opportunity to develop field techniques, data handling, computing, report writing, oral presentations and teamwork within an environment that encourages openness and participation.
• Our teaching methods include:
  • lectures
  • practicals
  • tutorials
  • seminars
  • surgeries

Assessment

• Assessment is designed to shape and develop learning, not simply measure it.
• Our assessment methods include:
  • essays
  • reviews
  • examinations
  • laboratory or field practicals
  • scientific reports
  • posters
  • oral presentations

Field Trips

• At the end of your first year there is an optional field course module in Wales, an area characterised by a rich natural history, habitat and landscape diversity.

Study Modules

Year 1

Compulsory Modules

• Cell Biology and Genetics
• Communicating Science
• Quantitative Skills for Life Science
• Biodiversity
• Introduction to Biochemistry A

Optional Modules

• Introduction to Biochemistry B
• Field Course: Identification and Methods

Year 2

Compulsory Modules

• Molecular biology
• Cell biology
• Career development
• Interrogating genomes

Optional Modules

• Data carpentry
• Animal developmental biology
• Microbiology
• The Green Planet
• Genetics
• Biochemistry of Cell Function
• Threatened Species

Year 3 (optional placement year)

Optional Modules

• Professional placement

Year 4 (or year 3 if no placement)

Compulsory Modules

• Professional Skills and Techniques
• Project

Optional Modules

• Advanced Genetics and Genomics
• Advanced Cell Biology and Bio-imaging
• Advanced Topics in Wildlife Conservation
• Animal Neurobiology and Behaviour
• Evolution and Animal Development
• Molecular Biology of Cancer
• Science and Humanity
• Work Experience (single credit module that can be taken in either semester)
• Independent Study in Life Sciences (single credit module that can be taken in either semester)

Integrated MBiol

Compulsory Modules

• Research Practice

Optional Modules

• Advanced Molecular Techniques
• Ecology for conservation
• Genome science
• Independent Study
• Introductory Bioinformatics
• Taxonomy and Identification

Careers

• Our graduates enjoy good career prospects working with a range of organisations. Employers have included hospitals, biotech companies, zoos and conservation trusts.
• The skills we give you as a graduate also prepare you for graduate jobs outside the biosciences. Popular employers/roles include:
  • bioscience, biotechnology, and healthcare
  • environmental agencies and consultancies
  • food and drink industries
  • government or charity-funded laboratories
  • universities and research institutes
  • clinical trials coordinator
  • teacher
  • procurement officer
  • sequencing and validation scientist
  • microbiologist
  • lab technician
  • biotechnologist
  • science communication

Entry Requirements

Standard Offer

• UCAS Tariff Points: 104-128 (BSc) or 112-136 (MBiol)
• A Level: BCC - ABB (BSc) or BBC - AAB (MBiol)
• IB Points: 29 (BSc) or 30 (MBiol)
• BTEC: DMM - DDM (BSc) and (MBiol)

Contextual Offer

• UCAS Tariff Points: 88 - 96 (BSc) and (MBiol)
• A Level: CCD - CCC (BSc) and (MBiol)
• IB Points: 27 (BSc) and (MBiol)
• BTEC: MMM (BSc) and (MBiol)

Tuition Fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535
• Home (UK) part time: £1,190 per single module
• Home (UK) sandwich (placement): £1,700
• International full time: £17,750
• International sandwich (placement): £1,700

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) full time: £9,535*
• Home (UK) part time: £1,910 per single module*
• Home (UK) sandwich (placement): £1,905
• International full time: £18,250
• International sandwich (placement): £1,905

*Tuition fee level for . Tuition fees for home undergraduate students in will be confirmed by the Government later in 2025 and will be updated on our website as soon as the information becomes available.

Additional Costs

• You will need to buy some basic personal protection equipment for laboratory practicals (lab coat, safety glasses), at a cost of around £25.