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Biology

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Clifton Campus
More about University of Bristol

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

Biology is at the centre of some of today's most pressing challenges. It offers exciting opportunities to shape a sustainable future, studying topics from climate change to food security, and from biodiversity to emerging diseases. Biologists are essential in understanding and reducing the impacts of these challenges on ecosystems and the sustainability of life on Earth.

Our BSc Biology course exposes you to the breadth and depth of biological sciences, from genes to ecosystems. During your study, you'll gain fundamental knowledge of the diversity, evolution and functions of living organisms. You'll uncover how animals, plants and microbes interact, compete and cooperate, often in surprising ways.

The course reflects the range and integration of modern biology, drawing on our world-leading research spanning:

  • animal behaviour and sensory biology

  • ecology and environmental change

  • plant and agricultural sciences

  • evolutionary biology.

Our BSc Biology degree begins with a broad foundation, opening up the full spectrum of life sciences. In years two and three, you'll have the flexibility to tailor your studies and dive deep into a specialist area, or keep your options wide. Opportunities include a week-long field-based or laboratory-based course, selected from a range of subject areas, and a practical research project. Our degrees cover an exciting range of topics in depth, though they do not include a focus on human biology.

At Bristol, you'll learn in our state-of-the-art Life Sciences Building. It's home to globally renowned researchers, and is a place for you to experience the forefront of biological discovery and its real-world applications. Alongside deep scientific knowledge, you'll also develop research-oriented and transferable skills. These will enhance your employability and set you up for success after graduation.

Flexibility is built in. You can switch to BSc Zoology or BSc Plant Sciences as your interests evolve. We also offer four and five-year options, including the MSci Biology and BSc Biology with Professional Placement, giving you even more ways to tailor your degree to your goals.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Clifton Campus

Study options

  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
B78
Campus name:
Clifton Campus
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
13 January 2027

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:
B78
Campus name:
Clifton Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA

Standard offer: AAA including Biology and another science-related subject.

Contextual offer: ABB including AB in Biology and another science-related subject.

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/contextual-offers for more information about contextual offers.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAAAB

Higher: AAABB.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 15

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 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
Offer: 36

Standard offer: 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Biology and another science-related subject.

Contextual offer: 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 at Higher Level in Biology and another science-related subject.

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/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.

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

DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

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

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.

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2027/biological-sciences/bsc-biology/#entry-requirements

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

International entry requirements

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. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

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
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland & InternationalTBC

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.

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