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Genetics

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

With a degree in Genetics, you’ll be playing a vital part in the development of genetic engineering and the decoding of the human genome. Take on the ‘grand challenges’ of medicine and agriculture as you gain a comprehensive understanding of the nature, transmission and expression of genetic information in living organisms.

Genetics is at the core of biological and medical sciences and so upon completion of this degree, you’ll be equipped for opportunities in a wide range of careers, including research, industry, healthcare, forensics and the development of improved crops to address food security. You’ll also develop extensive knowledge and understanding of related disciplines through optional modules such as human genetic disorders and cancer genetics.

This integrated Masters (MBiol) gives you an additional year of specialist training to study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project. You may also choose to apply for our three-year Genetics BSc course and transfer to an MBiol up until the end of your second year, subject to suitable academic performance.

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.

  • Career development is at the heart of all our programmes, with specific modules presenting you with opportunities for workplace training through placements and internships.

  • Explore the applications of genetic techniques in fields as diverse as genetic engineering, diagnostics and therapies for human diseases, developmental biology, and human evolution, in addition to biotechnology and crop production.

  • The MBiol four-year integrated Masters course provides additional specialist training culminating in an original, cutting-edge extended research project that will equip you with the skills necessary for a career in research, as well as setting you apart in the graduate job market.

  • 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.

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

  • Master of Biology • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 5 Years
  • Master of Biology • Full-Time • 4 Years
  • Master of Biology • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 5 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
AAA

Including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If Biology is the only science subject, then an A grade is required. Critical Thinking and General Studies are 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 one 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
Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher

Five Highers AABBB, with AA in two Advanced Highers.

Including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded.

● Science subjects include: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.
● Science-related subjects include: Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, PE, Psychology, Science in Society, Statistics, Food Science and Use of Maths.

Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

Extended Project

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 AAB at A-level (MBiol applicants).

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 31

31 overall with 6,6,6 at Higher Level, including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If Biology is the only science at Higher Level, a 6 will be required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H2H2H2H2H2

Including Biology and preferably 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
D3D3D3

Including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If Biology is the only science subject, then a D3 grade will be required. 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

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component.

If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course to help improve your English language level.

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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