Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Biology

The BSc (Hons) Biology degree offers a solid grounding in the biological sciences, with the flexibility to develop your own interests and learn about the areas and aspects of biological sciences that match your career ambitions.

Course Overview

Our BSc (Hons) Biology degree provides the chance to gain a solid grounding in the biological sciences – with the flexibility to develop your own interests and learn about the areas and aspects of biological sciences that match your career ambitions. Study biology at Manchester Met and you will begin by learning the fundamentals of the subject, before exploring the areas that interest you most. Along the way, you will explore the issues that shape our world and touch our lives – from molecular biology, microbiology and genetics, to ecology, animal behaviour, biodiversity and conservation.

Features and Benefits

• Explore the topics and issues that shape the world around us, and choose from a range of exciting and rewarding specialisms within biology.
• Develop practical skills in the laboratory and in the field – that could include fieldwork in the UK, across Europe or in Africa.
• You can take the four-year route, spending a year studying overseas in Europe, North America or Australia, or boosting your career prospects with a 9-12 month placement.
• This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, the UK's leading professional society for biological sciences.
• With our strong industry links, you will have the opportunity to engage in projects with our partners, from the NHS to the RSPB.
• We’ve invested over £115 million to transform the way we teach and the way our students learn. The new Dalton building is equipped with dynamic learning spaces, world-class teaching and research facilities and collaborative study zones. This means you’ll graduate with the skills and experiences employers look for.

Year 1

Year 1 aims to provide you with a thorough grounding in all aspects of biology. Typical areas of study may include biodiversity and organismal behaviour, as well as biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology.

• Cells and Microorganisms: This module will lay the foundations of biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology, which you will build on throughout your degree, both in theory and in practical work.
• Evolution: In this module, you will develop an understanding of why and how features have evolved.
• Exploring Biodiversity: This module will introduce you to the principles of biodiversity and ecology, focusing on the diversity of life on Earth and the ecological processes that shape and maintain biological diversity.
• Introduction To Organismal Behaviour: In this module, you will explore key concepts in organismal behaviour, examining how and why organisms behave as they do.

Year 2

Year 2 offers a range of topics including microbiology and forensic molecular biology, allowing you to develop experience in key laboratory techniques.

• Applied And Forensic Molecular Biology: This module will focus on the techniques used for, and applications of, molecular biology and forensic molecular biology, from traditional laboratory methods to emerging technologies.
• Microbiology: In this module, you will explore theoretical and applied microbiology, linking biochemical processes to the structure, function, and physiology of microbial cells.
• Professional Skills In Biology: In this module, you will be introduced to the professional skills needed to be a biologist.
• Option modules:
  • Bioengineering And Biotechnology: In this module, you will learn about biotechnology and bioengineering through a case-study approach.
  • Landscape And Community Ecology: This module explores how organisms interact and the processes that shape wildlife patterns in the natural world.

Year 3

If you opt for the four-year placement route, Year 3 will be spent on placement. If you opt for the four-year study abroad route, you will spend your third year studying in either Europe, North America or Australasia.

• Advances in Biological Sciences: This module provides you with the opportunity to explore a range of advanced topics in biology, focussing on cutting-edge research and developments.
• Project And Professional Development In Biology: This module gives you the opportunity to plan and conduct a research project relevant to your biological sciences discipline, working under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
• Option modules:
  • Conservation In The Anthropocene: This module explores how human activity impacts global biodiversity, considers ecosystem services, and examines challenges in biological conservation within human-modified environments.
  • Environmental Microbiology And Biotechnology Solutions: In this module, you will explore environmental microbiology by examining the role of microbial communities in the environment and how biotechnology can be used to provide solutions to environmental challenges.
  • Global Change Biology: This module will examine the physiological, behavioural, ecological, and distributional changes in species caused by global changes, as well as their impacts on communities and ecosystems.
  • Infection, Disease And Bioinformatics: Infectious disease and health is an ever-changing field and a global priority for humans, animals and plants.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 104-112 UCAS tariff points
• IELTS score: 6.0 with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of course start date
• UK students:
  • Level 3 qualifications: 104-112 UCAS tariff points.
  • A levels: grades BCC or equivalent, to include grade C or above in Biology or Human Biology (with Pass in Practical Assessment)
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma: Grade DMM in Applied Science.
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass overall in Science, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy or Medical Science with a minimum score of 106 UCAS tariff points
  • IB Diploma: Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects, to include HL5 in Biology.
• International students:
  • IB Diploma: Pass the IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects, including HL5 in Biology.
  • IELTS: 6.0 with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of course start date

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Explore your options and build sought-after skills: Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.
• Graduate Outcomes survey: 2021/22 leavers, HESA data.

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Zoology
• BSc (Hons) Microbiology and Molecular Biology
• BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Conservation
• Foundation Year Science and Engineering degrees with a foundation year (Biology and Chemistry route)

Disclaimers

• Programme review: Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology.
• Important notice: This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate.
• Confirmation of regulator: The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS).
• Student protection plan: All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our student protection plan.