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Human Biology (with placement year)

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Sandwich
  • 28/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Loughborough University

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

Human Biology is the study of the structure and function of the human body, looking at how the human species evolved, how we change over the lifespan, adapt to life stressors, and how our human biology and culture influence disease risk.

Human biologists address questions such as: What is the body made of? How does the body work? What factors affect our growth? Why do some people age more successfully than others? How does the body adapt to cope with challenges such as exercise, undernutrition or environmental extremes? How does our evolutionary past affect our current biology? How do our genes, lifestyle and environment affect our risk of disease?

At Loughborough University, our BSc Human Biology degree is taught by staff who are all active researchers with renowned expertise that includes human population biology, global health and human development, physical activity and public health, nutrition, human genetics, and the influence of diet, exercise and lifestyle on health.

Our Human Biology degree is unique in its consideration of the human from molecular to population level and in its international perspective. It is also modular, allowing choice and increasing specialisation in each year of study.

Optional year-long professional placement opportunities are also available to help you develop essential skills and boost your employability, while international placements provide the 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 and 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:
B151
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

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:
B151
Institution code:
L79
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

AAB including Biology or Human Biology Chemistry, Physics, Geography or Environmental Science may be considered on a case by case basis if A level Biology not previously studied.

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

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Forensic Science: DDD with Distinction in unit 1, Principles and Applications of Science I Preferred subjects: Applied Science or Forensic 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: DD plus A Level Biology or Human Biology at Grade B Preferred subjects: Applied Science or Forensic Science.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus two A Levels at Grades AB including Biology or Human Biology Preferred subjects: Applied Science or Forensic Science.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AB

AB in two science based subjects, plus Highers at majority AAB grades.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 35 points

35 (6,6,5 HL) with 5 in Biology 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 usually selected solely on the basis of their UCAS application, but in exceptional cases, an interview may be required. If applicants are made an offer of a place, they will be invited to visit the department giving them the opportunity to 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. For full details of the acceptable English language requirements see our website 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.

Learn more on the Loughborough University 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.

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

LocationFeeYear
EU£29750Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£29750Year 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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