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Biological Sciences

  • 3 Study options
  • Undergraduate
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2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Studying the molecular and cellular aspects of life is at the heart of our Biological Sciences degree. Understanding how cells respond to and influence their environment drives the most exciting discoveries in molecular and cellular biology.

How do mutations cause inherited disorders and cancer? How do viruses replicate within cells? What is the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance? During your degree, you’ll be taught by world-leading researchers at the forefront of tackling global challenges such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ageing, antibiotic resistance and emerging viruses.

Biological Sciences is our most flexible and interdisciplinary degree, which enables you to build a broad knowledge base in your first year, with opportunities to specialise in chosen themes in subsequent years of the course.

This 3-year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training, subject to suitable academic performance at the end of your 2nd year and availability. You would study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project.

Why study at Leeds

  • Study with one of the largest centres for biological sciences research in the UK, with access to cutting- edge facilities, industry links and specialist research opportunities.

  • Flexible options to transfer onto other suitable and related degrees at the end of year 1, as many programmes within our School share a common first year.

  • Put theory into practice by undertaking fieldwork activities within the UK, Spain and South Africa. You’ll advance your research skills and gain hands-on experience highly valued by employers in industry or in postgraduate education.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 4 Years
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

University of Leeds 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

Application codes

Institution code:
L23

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.

Course options

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAB

AAB
Including biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded.

We accept the following:

Science: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.

Science-related: computing, environmental science, food science, geography, geology, PE, psychology, statistics.

Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.

When an applicant is taking any of the following:

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ)

Core Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)

AS Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate

It will be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be a 1 grade drop from the standard offer. For example an A in one of the above qualifications with ABB at A-level (BSc applicants).

GCSE: Grade 6 (B) or above at GCSE maths and Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE English. The Faculty of Biological Sciences will accept Level 2 Functional Skills as equivalent to C/4 in GCSE English.

T Level
Not accepted

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, graded at D39M6P0 including distinctions in biology and mathematics or chemistry. Accept Access courses in Applied Science and Science. Will also consider (depending on subject content):

We accept Access courses in Applied Science. We will also consider (depending on subject content:)

biochemical sciences

biological and environmental science

biological and health science

biological sciences

biosciences

combined sciences

environmental science

life and biological science

life science

medical and health science professions

natural sciences

physical & natural sciences.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AB in 2 Advanced Highers including biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded.

We accept the following:

Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.

Science-related subjects: PE, geography, use of mathematics, psychology, statistics, geology and computing.

Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 34

31 overall with 6,6,5 at higher level including Biology or Chemistry and another science or science-related subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM

BTEC Extended Diploma entry requirements: DDM plus A/B in A-level Biology or Chemistry. The preferred BTEC qualification subject is Applied Science (other subjects may be accepted).

BTEC diploma entry requirements: DD plus A/B in A-level Biology or Chemistry. The preferred BTEC qualification subject is Applied Science (other subjects may be accepted).

Applicants with BTEC Extended Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must normally have at least 2 A-levels and at least one of these should be Biology or Chemistry (plus another science or science-related subject depending on the BTEC subject).

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H2H2H2H3H3

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including H2 in biology or chemistry and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Not accepted

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3D3M1

D3/D3/M1 including D3 in biology or chemistry plus one other science or science-related subject. Global Perspectives excluded.

When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives.

For the most up-to-date information on entry requirements please visit www.leeds.ac.uk/courses

Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Successful completion of Year 1 of a relevant degree course with an overall score of at least 65% in addition to the standard year 1 entry requirements below

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

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.

If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.

If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.

Learn more on the University of Leeds website

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.

This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.

Course options

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

For further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees

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