Study Biological Sciences, Why & How To Study

CONTENTS

1. What’s Biological Sciences?

2. What Biological Sciences degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Biological Sciences degree?

4. What topics does a Biological Sciences degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Biological Sciences?

7. What do Biological Sciences graduates earn?

8. What jobs can you get as a Biological Sciences graduate?

9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

10. Similar subjects to Biological Sciences

11. Have any questions?

What’s Biological Sciences?

Biological Sciences is the study of life. This wide-ranging and flexible subject studies all living organisms, where you can choose topics that interest you most.

Options include the molecular study of the immune system, disease processes and physiological processes, and, if you wish, a global-scale study of the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity.

What Biological Sciences degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Biological Sciences include:

• Animal Behaviour BSc
• Biological Sciences BSc
• Biotechnology BSc
• Marine Biology BSc
• Microbiology BSc

Options may include an integrated foundation year or master’s, professional placement or study abroad.

What do you need to get onto a Biological Sciences degree?

Typically, entry to an undergraduate Biological Sciences degree requires between 104–144 UCAS points. Some courses may have lower or higher requirements, and not all unis base their offer on UCAS points. Qualifications may include:

• A Levels: A*AA–CCC
• BTECs: D*D*D*–MMM
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA–CCCA (Advanced Highers: AAB–AA)
• International Baccalaureate: 39–26
• Universities will usually ask that you have studied: an A Level (or equivalent) in biology and sometimes chemistry

Other good subjects to have studied include:

• Computer science
• Environmental science
• Geography
• Maths
• Physics
• Psychology
• General subjects at A Level may be excluded

Experience that would look good on your application:

• Work experience or shadowing in a lab – contact your local NHS trust, uni or biotech companies/industrial labs
• Volunteering with local conservation charities e.g. assisting with field surveys
• Insights from online courses or MOOCs, listening to podcasts or YouTube videos
• Independent reading e.g. books, science journals, science news (BBC or Guardian), or areas of research at your chosen university
• If eligible, summer schools such as Sutton Trust or UNIQ, or In2scienceUK placements

Other requirements for this subject include:

• Pass in the practical element of science taken at A Level
• Interview and entry assessments may be required by some universities

What topics does a Biological Sciences degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Advanced topics in ecology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Biochemistry and biotechnology
• Biology and behaviour of social insects
• Genetics and molecular biology
• Immunology
• Plant and algal physiology
• Statistical and quantitative skills for biologists
• Stem cells and tissue engineering
• Vertebrate zoology

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module:

• Coursework
• Essays
• Exams
• Lab work
• Literature reviews
• Poster/oral presentations
• Short tests
• A research project is usually a final year option

Why study Biological Sciences?

A Biological Sciences degree gives you the chance to explore the nature of life while expanding your skills, with the potential to go into many career areas.

Career-specific skills:

• Detailed subject knowledge along with practical lab skills and experience in field work
• You may also have gained experience from a placement with an industrial company

Transferable skills:

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Critical and analytical thinking
• IT skills and digital literacy
• Organisation
• Presentations
• Report writing
• Research
• Time management

Professional accreditation:

• Degrees may be accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
• Degrees may also hold other accreditations, for example from the Royal Society of Chemistry, Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences

What do Biological Sciences graduates earn?

Biological Sciences graduates can expect a starting salary of around £17,000–£23,000.

If you stay in academia and move into research, you’ll receive a stipend of around £15,600 while studying for a PhD (some organisations pay more). Postdoctoral researchers may be paid £30,000–£40,000. Senior research fellows or lecturers could have an income of £53,000–£60,000.

Or, as an experienced microbiologist working in industry, you could earn up to £39,000, with potential for higher earnings depending on the responsibilities you have.

What jobs can you get as a Biological Sciences graduate?

Graduates pursue biological careers in a wide range of settings. You could work in research, industry, academia or healthcare. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the skills you've gained to access careers in areas such as finance, data analysis, management or marketing.

• Advertising executive
• Clinical trials specialist
• Epidemiology and information analyst
• Forensic scientist
• Management consultant
• mRNA biologist
• Policy advisor
• Research associate
• Science communicator
• Science journalist
• Teacher

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Many Biological Sciences graduates start their career by gaining a master's or PhD qualification. Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

• Animal Biosciences MSc
• Biodiversity, Conservation and Management MSc
• Biological Science MPhil/PhD
• Marine Mammal Science MSc
• Neuroscience MRes

Similar subjects to Biological Sciences

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Ecology
• Marine Biology
• Natural Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Zoology

Have any questions?

Ask our experts! You can email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Biological Sciences – we’ll be happy to hear from you.