Biology Lancaster University

Play a role in tackling the world’s greatest challenges

• How do we feed a growing population?

• How can we fight some of the world’s most deadly or chronic diseases?

• How do we prevent greater environmental damage to our seas, air, animal and plant species?

These are the types of major global challenges that a degree in biology will prepare you to play your part in addressing.

By studying this Biology BSc, you will gain an understanding of life in all its forms: from cells and molecules to whole organisms and ecosystems; from cell division to reproduction, development and death; from fruit flies to fungi.

There are few limits to where this knowledge and understanding can take you. Indeed, there are biologists working in almost every scientific field imaginable – whether that’s exploring how our genome can affect our risk of cancer or exploring ways to make global ecosystems more resilient.

Biology is an interdisciplinary subject. Our academics have carefully designed this programme to start by providing you with a broad grounding in the range of fundamental themes that lie at its heart.

With this foundation, you can go on to explore the aspects of biology that interest you most in greater depth. It’s this ability to shape your studies to suit your passions that makes biology the most flexible of our biosciences degrees.

Taught by internationally renowned academics, you will get a truly hands-on degree. As well as lectures and tutorials, you will learn in our excellent lab facilities and, depending on your choice of modules, through exciting field trips.

This research-led biology degree is an ideal basis for a host of careers across the life sciences, ecology or conservation and zoology sectors, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed.

And, because you will build your skills and competence in experimental design, data recording, analysis and presentation, effective project management, teamwork and communication, you will have the highly transferable skills valued by employers both within the sciences and in broader fields such as marketing, finance and management.

Why study biology at Lancaster University?

• Shape your degree to suit your interests as they develop through your course

• Gain practical skills in our outstanding teaching labs

• Become a part of our thriving and supportive community of biosciences students

• Learn from our renowned, research-active academics

• Benefit from placements or part time work through our connections with public and private sector employers

• Our location, close to Morecambe Bay, the Lake District, Bowland Fells and the Yorkshire Dales is ideal for exploring some of the UK’s finest natural landscapes

Your journey through biology

Your degree will offer you a firm foundation in a breadth of subjects in biology, before allowing you to specialise, if you wish, as your course progresses.

• In Year 1, you will get a well-rounded introduction to the fundamentals of biology. From genetics and cell biology to ecology, conservation biology and zoology, you will lay the foundations for the future of your degree: getting to grips with key skills and discovering where your greatest interests lie. You will also see how these issues relate to the bigger picture, gaining an understanding of how they link to global challenges, such as the maintenance of biodiversity and human health.

• In Year 2 you will explore themes such as genetics and evolution in more depth. You can also begin to tailor your degree to your emerging interests.

• In Year 3, you can take that specialisation a step further, with a greater choice of modules. You will also complete a research project – your opportunity to make a unique contribution to increasing scientific knowledge in an area of biology.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

AAB. This should include Biology and one other science subject from: Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 36 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 9 Level 3 credits at Merit, but you would need to meet the subject requirements.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD in Applied Science to include sufficient Biology and other science content. We require Distinctions in the majority of relevant science units.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AB plus BTEC at D. This should include sufficient Biology and other science content.

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in Biology HL and 6 in one other HL science subject from Chemistry, Computer Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Not accepted

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 5/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.