Program Overview

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Introduction to Biological Sciences BSc

The Biological Sciences BSc degree at Loughborough University is designed to develop students' understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying life and health in whole organisms. This program brings together knowledge, ideas, and techniques to allow students to expand their understanding of the human body and its interplay with the environment.

Program Structure

The program is offered as a 4-year full-time course with a placement year or a 3-year full-time course. The typical offer for this course is AAB, including Biology or Human Biology and one from Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Psychology, or Environmental Science.

Fees

The fees for the program are:

• UK: £9,535 per academic year
• International: £30,700 per academic year

UCAS Codes

The UCAS codes for this program are:

• 4 years full-time with placement year: C100
• 3 years full-time: C102

Start Date

The start date for the program is October 2026.

Institute Code

The institute code is L79.

Subject Area

The subject area for this program is Biosciences.

Accredited Course

This program is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and offers a placement year and the opportunity to study abroad.

Overview

The Biological Sciences BSc degree explores the biological processes and functions from molecular and cellular to organism level. The program builds from a broad underpinning in biological sciences with increasing choice available as students progress, allowing them to tailor their degree to their interests and career aspirations.

What You'll Study

The program covers topics including genetics and molecular biology, biochemistry and metabolism, cell biology and regenerative medicine, human evolution, anatomy and physiology, growth, development, and ageing, as well as research methods.

Year 1

In the first year, students will study compulsory modules, including:

• Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Human Evolution and Adaptation
• Laboratory Skills 1
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Academic Skills and Data Description

Year 2

In the second year, students will study compulsory modules, including:

• Cellular Signalling and Transport
• Research Methods: Data Analysis
• Laboratory Skills II
• Genomics
• Growth Development and Ageing Optional modules include:
• Interdisciplinary Science
• Human Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
• Clinical Biochemistry and Biomarker Science
• Physiology of Exercise and Training

Final Year

In the final year, students will study compulsory modules, including:

• Project Optional modules include:
• Body Composition and Physiological Measurement
• Physiology of Exercise and Health
• Sport and Exercise Nutrition
• Applied Physiology of Sport Performance
• Public and Global Health
• Human Performance at Environmental Extremes
• Cellular Adaptation and Degeneration
• Applied Genomics
• University wide language programme

Placement Year

The program offers a placement year, which provides students with the opportunity to develop essential skills and boost their employability.

Study Abroad

The program also offers the opportunity to study abroad, which can provide students with a unique and enriching experience.

Facilities

Students on this program will have access to a wide range of facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for this program are:

• Typical A level offer: AAB, including Biology or Human Biology and one from Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Psychology, or Environmental Science.
• Typical IB offer: 35 (6,6,5 HL) including HL Biology and one other Science or Maths at HL.
• Typical BTEC offer: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DDD.

International Entry Requirements

The program also accepts international qualifications, including:

• Australia: ATAR score between 85.00 and 94.00.
• Austria: Reifeprüfung (Matura) score between 2.2 and 1.2.
• Bahrain: Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Bangladesh: Higher Secondary Certificate with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Belgium: Certificat d’Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs (DSO) with an overall score ranging from 75% to 85%.
• Brazil: Brazilian High School Certificate with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Brunei: A Level or IB qualifications.
• Bulgaria: Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with an overall score ranging from 5.3 to 6.0.
• Canada: Grade 12 with an average score ranging from 80% to 93%.
• China: Senior Middle Examinations with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Croatia: Matura (Svjedodžba o Maturi) with an average score between 4.0 and 5.0.
• Cyprus: Apolytirion with a score between 18.0 and 20.0.
• Czech Republic: Maturita (Vysvědčení o Maturitní Zkoušce) with an overall score ranging from 2.0 to 1.0.
• Denmark: Bevis for Studentereksamen (STX) with an overall score ranging from 8.0 to 10.5.
• Egypt: Thanaweya A’ama (Certificate of General Secondary Education) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Estonia: Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus with the Riigieksamitunnistus with an overall score ranging from 4.3 to 4.8.
• European Baccalaureate: Overall average mark between 78% and 88%.
• Faroe Islands: Studentsprógv with a score between 8.0 and 10.5.
• Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / Studentexamen with an overall grade between 8.0 and 9.3.
• France: French Baccalauréat Général with an overall result between 13.0 and 15.5.
• Germany: Abitur with an overall score ranging from 1.3 to 2.0.
• Ghana: WASSCE with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Greece: Greek Apolyterion with a score between 16.5 and 19.0.
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with a score between 5, 4, 4 and 5*, 5, 5.
• Hungary: Hungarian Matura (Érettségi Bizonyítvány) with an overall score ranging from 70% to 83%.
• Iceland: Stúdentspróf with an overall grade between 8.0 and 9.3.
• India: Standard XII school leaving qualifications with an overall score ranging from 78% to 88%.
• Indonesia: Ijazah: Sekolah Menengah Atas/Madrasah Aliyah (SMA/MA) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Ireland: Leaving Certificate with an overall score ranging from 5 higher level passes with grades ranging from H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 to H1 H1 H2 H2 H2.
• Israel: Bagrut with an overall score ranging from 78% to 92%.
• Italy: Diploma di Esamo di Stato with an overall score ranging from 85% to 98%.
• Japan: Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Jordan: Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) Grade 12 Certificate with a score between AAA and BBB.
• Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Kuwait: Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Latvia: Atestāts par Vispārējo Vidējo Izglītību with an overall score ranging from 9.2 to 10.0.
• Lebanon: Baccalauréat Général with a score between 14 and 16.
• Lithuania: Brandos Atestatas with an overall score ranging from 9.0 to 10.0.
• Malaysia: Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades ranging from AAA to BBB.
• Malta: Advanced Matriculation Exam with an overall score ranging from 2.50 to 3.10.
• Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) with an overall score ranging from 6.6 to 7.4.
• New Zealand: National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 with an overall score ranging from 6,6,6,6,6 to 7,7,7,7,7.
• Nigeria: WASSCE with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Norway: Vitnemål for Videregående Opplæring with an overall score ranging from 4.00 to 5.25.
• Oman: Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Pakistan: Intermediate/Higher Secondary School Certificate with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Poland: Matura with an overall score ranging from 75% to 85%.
• Portugal: Diploma de Ensino Secundário with an overall score ranging from 16 to 18.
• Qatar: Shahadat Al-Thanawaya Al-Aama (Senior School Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Romania: Diplomă de Bacalaureat with an overall score ranging from 8.6 to 9.4.
• Russia: Certificate of Unified State Examination with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Saudi Arabia: Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Singapore: Singapore A Levels with grades ranging from BBC to AAA.
• Slovakia: Maturita (Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške) with an overall score ranging from 2.0 to 1.0.
• Slovenia: Maturitetno Spričevalo with an overall score ranging from 22 to 30.
• South Africa: National Senior Certificate with an overall score ranging from 6,6,6,6,6 to 7,7,7,7,7.
• South Korea: High School Diploma with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Spain: Titulo de Bachillerato with an overall score ranging from 7.50 to 9.50.
• Sri Lanka: A Level or IB qualifications.
• Sweden: Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskola with an overall score ranging from 16.0 to 18.8.
• Switzerland: Certificat de Maturité or Attestato di Maturità with an overall score ranging from 4.8 to 5.5.
• Taiwan: Senior High School Diploma with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Tanzania: Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) with grades equivalent to the typical A Level offer requirements.
• Thailand: Certificate of Secondary Education/Maw 6 with a suitable Foundation Year.
• The Caribbean: Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) with grades ranging from 2, 2, 2 to 1, 1, 1.
• The Gulf: Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Turkey: Anadolu Lisesi (Anatolian High School Diploma) or Fen Lisesi (Science High School Diploma) with a pass mark of higher than 80%.
• Uganda: Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with grades equivalent to the typical A Level offer requirements.
• Ukraine: Atestat pro Povnu Zagal'nu Sersdniu Osvitu/Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education with a suitable Foundation Year.
• United Arab Emirates: Tawjihiyah/Thanawiya amma (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a suitable Foundation Year.
• United States of America: High School Graduation Diploma with a GPA of 3.2/4.0.
• Vietnam: Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Zambia: General Certificate of Education with a suitable Foundation Year.
• Zimbabwe: A Level or IB qualifications.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the program are:

• UK: £9,535 per academic year
• International: £30,700 per academic year

Additional Costs

While the cost of tuition covers lots of things, it doesn’t cover everything. For instance, this course doesn’t cover the cost of any stationery, printing, books, or re-assessments which you might need.

Career Support Services

The university's award-winning Careers Network team is here to help and support students, offering everything from CV workshops, one-to-one advice sessions, and mock interview practice sessions to high-profile employer events.

Your Future Career

A Biological Sciences degree provides specific skills that are in demand in science and health sectors, as well as broader skills including communication and problem-solving. Graduates from this program have secured graduate jobs, as research scientists in universities, research industries, and the bioscience industry, as well as NHS clinical scientists and genetic counsellors. Bioscience graduates have also gone on to careers in the development of cell therapies, product development and testing, clinical trials coordination, research administration in academia or charities, and teaching. Some students have also chosen to progress onto postgraduate study.

Compare Our Course Stats

• 93% of students say staff value students' views and opinions about the course.
• 86% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 100% of students are in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.