Loughborough University
Loughborough
LE11 3TU
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Course contact details
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Email:admissions@lboro.ac.uk
Phone:01509 274 403
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Biological Sciences (with placement year)
BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Sandwich · 28/09/2026 · UndergraduateMain Site
Course summary
Biological Sciences is an exciting and rapidly developing field, bringing together knowledge, ideas and techniques to allow us to expand our understanding of the human body and its interplay with the environment.
Our BSc Biological Sciences degree is designed to develop your understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying life and health in whole organisms.
During the Biological Sciences course, you will explore 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.
You will also focus on the development of practical laboratory skills and benefit from teaching in STEMLab, the University's £17 million state-of-the-art facility, as well as other specialist laboratories.
Optional year-long professional placement opportunities are also available to help you develop essential skills and boost your employability, while international placements provide an opportunity to experience another country during your studies.
Modules
For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.
Assessment method
Depending on the nature of the material, modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination.
For example, some modules may be 25% coursework and 75% examination, whilst other modules may be assessed by 100% coursework or 100% examination. Coursework includes laboratory reports, class tests, group work, individual essays, presentations, and projects. You will also have formative assessments to provide you with feedback to help you to evaluate and develop your skills, for instance using online quizzes, electronic voting, or discussion in tutorials.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Royal Society of Biology
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BSc (Hons) • Sandwich • 4 Years
Start dates
- 28/09/2026
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:
- C100
- Institution code:
- L79
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Loughborough University 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:
- C100
- Institution code:
- L79
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
AAB including Biology or Human Biology and one from Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Psychology or Environmental Science.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DDD with Distinction in unit 1, Principles and Applications of Science I
Preferred subject: Applied Science
Access to HE Diploma
Considered on a case by case basis. Please contact Loughborough University directly.
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science: DD plus A Level Grade B from either Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Psychology or Environmental Science
Preferred subject: Applied Science
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science: D plus two A Levels at Grades AB including one from Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Psychology or Environmental Science
or
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus two A Levels at Grades AB, including Biology or Human Biology and one from Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Psychology or Environmental Science
Preferred subject: Applied Science
Scottish Advanced Higher
Considered on a case by case basis. Please contact Loughborough University directly.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 35 points
35 (6,6,5 HL) including HL Biology and one other Science or Maths at HL
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels providing individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/
Extended Project
We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop down field for more information.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
This qualification is accepted in combination with other qualifications. For details please contact Loughborough University.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE Maths and English Language grade 4/C
T Level - Not accepted
Loughborough accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/entrance-requirements/
This information details the general requirements and should be read in conjunction with the information given for each course.
Loughborough also accepts a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/country/
Loughborough uses contextual data in the admissions process to provide insights into the context in which your academic qualifications have been achieved. This may influence the typical offers outlined in the information given for each course. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/getting-started/applying/contextual-data/
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Other
- Applicants are selected on the basis of their UCAS application. In exceptional cases an interview may be required. We hope that all applicants would take the opportunity to visit the department, meet staff and students, see facilities and get an insight into what it is like to be a student at Loughborough.
English language requirements
All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate level of English language. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/
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 consider contextual information as part of the assessment of an application to provide us with further insight into your achievements. This may lead to reduced offers, up to two grades lower than the typical offer requirements, as well as additional consideration when your results are received. For further information about Contextual Admissions at Loughborough including our Access Loughborough Contextual Offer please visit our website.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.
- Data from:
- This course and 3 other biology courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*A*A
- Highest grades
- BBC
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £29750 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| International | £29750 | Year 1 |
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
The fees stated above are for the 2025/26 academic year; fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. We will update this information as soon as it is available. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
While the cost of your 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.
UK tuition fees align with the applicable fee caps set by the UK government, and as such they are subject to changes made to the agreed cap in a specific year.
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