Skip navigation

Biology

  • MSci
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Bristol

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

The MSci is ideal if you have ambitions to continue in biological research and want a competitive edge when applying for a PhD or research jobs.

Studying biology at Bristol exposes you to the breadth and depth of biological sciences, from enzymes to ecosystems. During your study, you will gain knowledge of the diversity, evolution and functions of living organisms and the interactions between animals, microbes and plants. Our course reflects the interdisciplinary nature of modern biology, taking into account the past, present and future of life on Earth.

Our biology degree starts broadly and then introduces more choices in years two and three, giving you the freedom to specialise or maintain breadth in your studies depending on your interests.

The additional fourth year of the MSci contains advanced skills training and a substantial research project, which is especially valuable for those aiming for a career in biological sciences.

We have outstanding facilities in our state-of-the-art Life Sciences Building (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/life-sciences-building/) and our lecturers are world-leading researchers in their fields. Our internationally leading research spans animal behaviour and sensory biology, ecology and environmental change, evolutionary biology and plant and agricultural sciences.

Our Biological Sciences degrees explore the subject in detail but do not focus on human biology. If human biology is your main area of interest, we recommend you explore the courses we offer in Biochemistry (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/biochemistry/), Biomedical Sciences (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/biomedical-sciences/), Cellular and Molecular Medicine (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/cellular-molecular/), Neuroscience (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/neuroscience/), Pharmacology (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/pharmacology/), Physiological Science (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/physiology/) and Psychology (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/psychology/).

This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • MSci • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • September 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:
C103
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Bristol 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:
C103
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate study. If you studied at a school, college or university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualification equivalences, scholarships and details of our education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

Open days

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level AAA - ABB

Standard offer: AAA including two science-related subjects.

Contextual offer: ABB including AB in two science-related subjects.

Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

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

DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

Access to HE Diploma D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/ Medical/ Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include:

  • at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and
  • at least 12 credits at Distinction from units in one science and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) from units in another science.

Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Scottish Higher AAAAB

Standard Higher: AAAAB.

Scottish Advanced Higher AA

Advanced Higher: AA in two science-related subjects.

Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 32 - 36 points

Standard offer: 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in two science-related subjects.

Contextual offer: 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 at Higher Level in two science-related subjects.

Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal D3, D3, D3

Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B and M3 is C

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 accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.

If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.

Learn more on the University of Bristol 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.

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

LocationFeeYear

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 are subject to annual review and are liable to rise each year. Home fees will be set in line with UK government policy and updated as per their guidance, while international fees increase annually in line with expected inflation rises. Visit bristol.ac.uk/ug-fees-funding for further information, including estimated fees for subsequent years and typical total costs.

Related courses

At University of Bristol

Like this page