Course contact details
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Email:admit@essex.ac.uk
Phone:01206 873666
Fax: 01206 872808
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
Biological Sciences (Including Placement Year)
- BSc (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Sandwich
- October 2026
- Undergraduate
- Colchester Campus
Course summary
The BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences is a three-year degree, extendable to four with an optional year in placement or abroad.
You’ll secure a broad understanding of modern biology and a strong basis to specialise from, in your undergraduate degree or beyond.
WHY THIS COURSE
The BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences lets you explore the spectrum of biology and choose what to specialise in.
Your first year offer broad insights into cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolution. For your second and final years, you can deepen your knowledge across disciplines or specialise in an area of your choosing, from molecular and cell biology to ecology and conservation biology.
Add a placement year or study abroad to put your learning into practice, expand your perspective and build confidence in professional or international settings. Previous students have placed with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Proctor & Gamble (P&G), AquaTerra, AstraZeneca, Genzyme, Reckitt Benckiser, Thermo Fisher and Isogenica – some of our 40 partner labs.
You’ll graduate on the path to a biologist career in a range of specialisms, such as marine biology, conservation and molecular biology.
Modules
Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Colchester Campus
Study options
- BSc (Hons) • Sandwich • 4 Years
Start dates
- October 2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- C102
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1, 2
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Essex has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- C102
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
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Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff 112 - 120 points
Offers will be made from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels including C in Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology or Life and Health Sciences.
We accept A Levels, BTECs, Access to HE Diploma, International Baccalaureate, T Levels, AAQs and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff.
Whilst International A-levels and BTECs aren't on the tariff calculator, we assign them the same tariff points as their UK counterparts
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Fees displayed are for the 2026-27 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.
Related courses
At University of Essex
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