Program Overview

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MSci Biological Sciences - 2026 entry

Overview

The four-year MSci Biological Sciences programme mirrors the BSc Biological Sciences programme during the first three years, but also includes an additional fourth year to undertake a research project.

This flexible degree programme gives you the option to design either a broad-based biology degree or a more focused degree specialising in areas of biology which interest you. There is the opportunity to follow one of three specialisms – animal biology, microbiology and infectious disease or molecular and cellular biology – and graduate with your chosen specialism named in your degree title, eg, MSci Biological Sciences (Animal Biology).

Entry Requirements

Typical Offer

• A-Level: AAA
• IB: 36/666
• BTEC: DDD

Contextual Offers

• A-Level: AAC
• IB: 32/655
• BTEC: DDM

Required Subjects

• A in Biology and A in another science subject*

Accepted Science Subjects

• Biology/Human Biology^
• Chemistry
• Computing
• Design and Technology
• Economics
• Electronics
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Studies
• Geography
• Geology
• Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only)
• Marine Science
• Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths^
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Psychology
• Science (applied)
• Sport Science
• Statistics

Course Content

Year 1

• 120 credits of compulsory modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIO1331: Animals
  • BIO1332: Biochemistry
  • BIO1333: Fundamental Principles for Bioscientists
  • BIO1334: Genetics
  • BIO1336: Ecology
  • BIO1337: Microbiology
  • BIO1338: Plants
  • BIO1339: Cells

Year 2

• 15 credits of compulsory modules
• 105 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIO2071: Research Skills and Bioethics
• Optional modules:
  • BIO2066: Forensic Science
  • BIO2074: Marine Biology
  • BIO2076: Ecology and Environment
  • BIO2081: Coral Reef Field Course
  • BIO2082: Animal Ecophysiology
  • BIO2086: Metabolism
  • BIO2088: Advanced Cell Biology
  • BIO2089: Molecular Biology of the Gene
  • BIO2090: Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry
  • BIO2092: Genomics and Introductory Bioinformatics
  • BIO2093: Modern Theories of Evolution
  • BIO2096: Practical Skills in Field Ecology
  • BIO2099: Molecular Plant Science
  • BIO2101: Advanced Microbiology
  • BIO2106: Employability and Workplace Learning
  • CSC2004: Medical Genetics
  • PSY2214: Observations and Experiments in Animal Behaviour
  • PSY2217: Wild Behaviour
  • CSC2026: The Biology of Cancer

Year 3

• 45 credits of compulsory modules
• 75 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIO3096: Biosciences Research Project
• Optional modules:
  • BIO3037: Ecology of Environmental Change
  • BIO3041: Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry
  • BIO3046: Frontiers in Plant Biology
  • BIO3047: Advanced Applications of Physiology
  • BIO3067: Ecotoxicology
  • BIO3077: Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology
  • BIO3078: Cellular Basis of Immunity
  • BIO3082: Science Communication
  • BIO3083: Current Issues in Marine Biology
  • BIO3085: Horizons of Biochemical Research
  • BIO3086: Cell Biology of Disease
  • BIO3092: Bioinformatics
  • BIO3093: Energy Metabolism
  • BIO3097: Living in a Microbial World
  • NEU3003: Psychology Applied to Health
  • BIO3058: Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology
  • BIO3059: Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection
  • ESS3506: Sustainable Nutrition

Final Year

• 105 credits of compulsory modules
• 15 credits of optional modules
• Compulsory modules:
  • BIOM569: Research Project
  • BIOM527: Research Grant Proposal
• Optional modules:
  • BIOM514: Secondary Metabolites
  • BIOM515: Cellular Basis of Immunity
  • BIOM516: Bioinformatics
  • BIOM517: Energy Metabolism
  • BIOM534: Medical Mycology
  • BIOM543: Ecology of Environmental Change
  • BIOM544: Ecotoxicology
  • BIOM545: Frontiers in Plant Biology
  • BIOM546: Living in a Microbial World
  • BIOM547: Frontiers in Molecular Cell Biology
  • BIOM548: Cell Biology of Disease
  • BIOM553: Current Issues in Marine Biology
  • BIOM554: Advanced Applications of Physiology
  • BIOM568: Blue Planet
  • BIOM555: Bioimaging
  • BIOM570: Beyond the Frontiers of Medical Mycology
  • BIOM571: Molecular Biology of Bacterial Infection

Specialisms

During your degree, you can choose to specialise in one of three named specialisms:

• MSci Biological Sciences (Animal Biology)
• MSci Biological Sciences (Microbiology and Infectious Disease)
• MSci Biological Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Biology)

To qualify for one of the named specialisms, you must study sufficient relevant specialist modules from within the core programme. You need to study at least 90 credits, spread across your second year and third year, from the selection of specialist modules below, including at least 60 credits from non-project/dissertation modules.

Fees

• UK students: £9,535 per year
• International students: £30,900 per year

Fieldwork

Please note, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. When participating in these optional field courses, you will be expected to cover the cost of travel to some locations, which will be outlined clearly beforehand. However, field courses with no additional travel costs are available to select in each year.

You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g., walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. You may incur additional costs dependent upon the specific demands of the research project chosen.

Scholarships

The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower-income households, and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed, and progress through higher education.

Learning and Teaching

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Laboratory sessions
• Independent study

Over the course of your degree, you will participate in a mix of larger lectures to smaller, focused sessions based around the latest research topics. In the teaching laboratory, you will develop the necessary skills to become a professional biologist; you will then put these to use while undertaking your independent research project. We encourage students to publish their results in the scientific literature and make a real contribution to the fields of Biosciences.

Assessment

Your first year does not count towards your final degree classification, but you do have to pass it in order to progress. All marks after your first year count towards your final classification.

Modules are assessed using a variety of methods, including essays, exams, presentations, laboratory reports, and a dissertation.

Academic Support

As well as more than 15 hours per week of direct contact time with your lecturers, all students have a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There are also a number of services on campus where you can get advice and information, including the Students’ Guild Advice Unit.

Facilities

Over the course of your degree programme, you will have access to our multi-million-pound teaching, learning, and research facilities, including our:

• State-of-the-art teaching laboratories
• World-class Aquatic Resources Centre
• State-of-the-art bioimaging facility, incorporating confocal and electron microscopy
• Next-generation DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry facilities
• Plant growth rooms and greenhouse facilities

Your Future

A degree in Biochemistry will help you to develop a wide range of essential skills such as analytical problem-solving, team work, and organising and communicating information. Whatever you choose to do after graduation, your Biosciences degree will stand you in good stead, with excellent employment prospects and transferable skills.

Careers Services

We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors, and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award, which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering, and employment that will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.

The University of Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters, and our students and graduates compete very successfully in the employment market. Whatever path you wish to follow, we’re here to help and support you with all your career and employability needs.

Career Paths

Many of our graduates are employed in discipline-relevant roles in the UK and overseas, including laboratory-based positions, conservation management, ecology, teaching, and nursing. Others use the skills gained on their course to enter widely different career paths in law, business, or management.

Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates from our Biosciences undergraduate programmes*.

• Laboratory technicians
• Chartered and certified accountants
• Biochemists and biomedical scientists
• Teaching professionals
• Project support officers
• Authors, writers, and translators
• Biological scientists
• Natural and social science professionals
• Chemical scientists
• Taxation experts
• Cawood Scientific
• Centrica
• Deloitte LLP
• Environment Agency
• Institute Of Physics Publishing Ltd
• Menarini Diagnostics
• Met Office
• NHS
• PA Consulting
• Thames Water

Further Study

Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from a Biosciences undergraduate degree. Below are a few examples of further study undertaken by recent graduates of undergraduate programmes*.

• MPH/MRes/PhD Biological Sciences
• MPH Medical Studies
• MRes Ecosystem and Environmental Change
• MSc Conservation and Biodiversity
• MSc Environment and Human Health
• MSc Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology
• MSc Immunology
• MSc Marine Environmental Management
• MSc Surveying and Land/Environmental Management
• MSc Toxicology

*This information has been taken from aggregating the responses from full-time, first-degree, UK-domiciled students who completed 2017/18 and 2018/19 Graduate Outcomes surveys. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.