BSc Biology
Queen Mary University of London
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Biology, a biology degree centred on the scientific study of living organisms and life processes. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. This undergraduate degree includes opportunities for domestic and international field trips, such as excursions to Croatia and African savannas. The course begins with a foundation year featuring Communication in Science and Technology and Mathematics A, before advancing into core subjects in the first year including Basic Biochemistry, Cells, and Ecology. The second year introduces compulsory study in Diversity of Life, Research Methods and Communication, and Techniques in Biological Sciences. Optional modules at this stage range from Urban Ecology and Marine Biodiversity to Genes and Bioinformatics. The final year includes compulsory modules such as Professional Skills and Development for Biologists alongside Reproductive and Development Biology. Students can further tailor their studies through options like Coding Skills and Data Science, Savannah Ecology and Conservation, and the Biological Sciences Research Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Biology - BSc (Hons): A-Level: Grades ABB at A-Level. This must include A-Level Biology. IB: International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 32 points overall, including 6,5,5 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Biology at Higher Level. BTEC: See our detailed subject and grade requirements. Access HE: We consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a science discipline e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 18 credits must be at Distinction and 27 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis, and we may request an interview. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements. GCSE: Both GCSE English and Maths at grade C or 4 or an acceptable equivalent will be required. EPQ: Alternative offers may be made to applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification. For further information please visit: qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry/epq. Contextualised admissions: Our standard contextual offer: BBC including B in Biology at A-Level. Our enhanced contextual offer: BCC including B in Biology at A-Level. More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page . Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
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What students say
Based on about 31 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 81%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 21 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 30%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Teaching Professionals: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Business and Financial Project Management Professionals: 10%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 20%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 145 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 61%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Baccalaureate: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Communication in Science and Technology
- Science and Engineering Success
- Foundations of Chemical Science
- Foundations of Physical Science
- Foundations of Engineering
- Foundations of Biological Science
- Mathematics A
- Basic Biochemistry
- Cells
- Ecology
- Essential Skills for Biologists
- Evolution
- Molecular Genetics
- Physiology
- Practical Biology
- Practical Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Diversity of Life
- Research Methods and Communication
- Techniques in Biological Sciences
- Infectious Disease Biology
- Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics
- Urban Ecology
- Ecological Interactions I
- Comparative & Integrative Physiology
- Ecological Interactions II (includes field trip to Croatia)
- Genes and Bioinformatics
- Enzymes and Metabolism
- Microbial Physiology and Growth
- Marine Biodiversity (includes a field trip to Scotland)
- Integrated Human Physiology
- Professional Skills and Development for Biologists
- Reproductive and Development Biology
- Biological Sciences Research Project
- Project: Engaging the Public with Science
- Structured Research Project
- Climate Change and Conservation Challenges
- Coding Skills and Data Science
- Endocrine Physiology and Biochemistry
- Functional Genomics and Epigenetics
- Mammals and Evolution
- Behavioural Ecology
- Molecular Basis of Disease
- Neuroscience: from Molecules to Behaviour
- Population and Chromosome Genetics
- Savannah Ecology and Conservation (includes field trip to the African savannas)
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Biology at Queen Mary University of London earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £33,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £40,000. The £33,500 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Biology.
What do graduates of BSc Biology at Queen Mary University of London do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Biology at Queen Mary University of London?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BSc Biology at Queen Mary University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
Does BSc Biology at Queen Mary University of London include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Biology at Queen Mary University of London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.