Program Overview

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BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences (with Foundation Year)

Overview

The BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences (with Foundation Year) is a four-year full-time or five-year sandwich course that explores human biology, ecology, and molecular biology. The course is designed to provide a hands-on, practical approach to learning, with opportunities to build skills in real-world situations.

Why Study Biological Sciences?

Biological scientists can make an important contribution to the welfare of people and the environment. The discipline builds strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, providing a good springboard into many careers.

Why UWE Bristol?

The BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences course at UWE Bristol is about the application of biological science to the real world. With a hands-on, practical approach to learning, students will have lots of opportunities to build their skills in real-world situations. The course offers the chance to undertake placements, internships, fieldwork, and residential trips in the UK and abroad.

Structure

The course structure means students can adapt their studies to their interests. Year one builds a solid foundation, with four modules that all Biological Sciences students take. From year two, students can specialize in molecular biology, human biology, or ecology, or study all three.

Year Zero (Foundation Year)

• Biology in Practice
• Chemistry in Practice
• Investigating and Communicating Science
• Skills for Science

Year One

• Cells, Biochemistry, and Genetics
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Life on Earth
• Skills for Biosciences

Year Two

• The Microbial World
• Genetics
• Human Health and Disease
• Wildlife Ecology
• Research Skills
  • Optional modules:
    • Microbial Pathogenesis
    • Molecular Biotechnology
    • Cell Signalling
    • Human Physiology
    • Plant Growth and Survival

Placement Year (if applicable)

If students study on the four-year (sandwich) course, they will spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two. They will complete the Professional Practice in Applied Sciences module.

Final Year

• Research Dissertation Project
  • Optional modules:
    • Developmental and Stem Cell Science
    • Environmental Microbiology
    • Genomic Technologies
    • Global Forest Systems
    • Marine Ecosystems
    • Medical Genetics
    • Medical Microbiology
    • Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology
    • Pathophysiology
    • Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Health
    • Primate Ecology and Conservation
    • Science Communication
    • Sustainable Food Production
    • Expedition to a Biodiversity Hotspot

Entry Requirements

• GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English, Mathematics, and Double Science, or equivalent
• Tariff points: 56
• Contextual tariff: See the contextual offers page
• English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component

Fees

Full-time; Sandwich course

• Home Annual (Per Year) Fee: Ł9,535
• Home Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł9,535
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit): Ł1,192
• Home Placement Year Fee: Ł1,192
• Home Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł8,343
• International Annual (Per Year) Fee: Ł17,000
• International Full Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł17,000
• International Module Fee (15 Credit): Ł2,125
• International Placement Year Fee: Ł2,125
• International Reduced Annual Fee Following Placement Year: Ł14,875

Indicative Additional Costs

• Additional Course Costs Indicative Maximum Cost Per year: Ł650

Features

Placements

Students who go on work experience tend to graduate with stronger degrees. The course offers the chance to apply for placements, internships, and volunteering roles.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an essential part of studying and understanding the natural world. This includes short local trips in and around Bristol and optional UK and international residential visits.

Study Facilities

Benefit from well-equipped, modern science laboratories, with specialist apparatus for molecular biology and cell culture suites to support immunology, virology, and microbiology.

Careers

You'll graduate with the insight, tools, and practical experience to make a valuable contribution to the health of the community and the wellbeing of the environment. Most graduates follow careers in biological sciences, particularly research and development work in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, education, and agrochemical sectors.