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Biological Science

Entry requirements


A level

C,C,C

a minimum of 112 points from A levels including a C in Biology or Human Biology, or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification eg BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Progression Diploma or Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits

Total of 60 credits (45 credits at Level 3 and 15 credits at Level 2) from an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a relevant subject with passes in Level 2 Maths and Communications. QAA accredited course required.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent).

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

MMM

Scottish Higher

C,C,C,A

A minimum of 112 UCAS points, including three passes at Higher level at grade C (or above).

UCAS Tariff

112

a minimum of 112 points from A levels including a C in Biology or Human Biology, or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification eg BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Progression Diploma or Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Part-time | 2024

Subject

Biology

**Why study this course?**

Biology is the study of life. Taught in our state-of-the-art Science Centre, you'll learn that life processes result from a series of complex interactions at a molecular, cellular and whole organism level. You'll develop hands-on skills that employers look for, as well as a detailed understanding of everything from biological systems at molecular level to ecosystems.

**More about this course**

Biology is the study of life. All life processes are the result of a series of complex interactions at a molecular, cellular and whole organism level. Through this course, you’ll investigate these systems in all their fascinating detail, and develop your academic and practical skills, enabling you to interpret and analyse biological data and evaluate your own work.

The Biological Science BSc (Hons) degree encompasses a broad scope of topics designed to interest the enquiring mind. During the first year you will acquire a solid foundation in cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, chemistry, human anatomy and data analysis. You’ll begin to understand how macromolecules drive cellular processes and you’ll be introduced to essential data handling and laboratory skills.

In the second year you’ll start to specialise, and will explore state-of-the-art research techniques such as gene cloning, amplification of DNA and microbiological techniques.

Your third year will include a year-long research project on the topic of your choosing. You can choose to specialise or to follow a more varied pathway.

Biological scientists play a key role in identifying diseases, monitoring treatment and conducting research into infectious diseases and other pathologies. You’ll graduate from this course ready to join the field, with a sound knowledge base and a high standard of cognitive, practical and transferable skills.

**What our students say**

"Years spent at university are not only about gaining knowledge, but also about developing yourself as an individual. That's why London Met is a great university to go to – it's so multicultural that you get immersed in different cultures right away, which makes you more aware and tolerant, and encourages you to see situations from other perspectives. The environment at London Met is very supportive when it comes to extracurricular activities; you're encouraged to take up volunteering or take part in the Science Society's activities."

Modules

Module details below are subject to change. Please see the university website course page for full module details.
Example Year 1 modules include:

Professional Studies (core, 15 credits);
Anatomy and Physiology 1 (core, 15 credits);
Anatomy and Physiology 2 (core, 15 credits);
General Chemistry (core, 15 credits);
Cell Biology (core, 15 credits);
Biochemistry (core, 15 credits);
Fundamentals of Molecular Biology (core, 15 credits);
General Microbiology (core, 15 credits)

Year 2 modules include:

Tissue Science 1 (core, 15 credits);
Tissue Science 2 (core, 15 credits);
Metabolism (core, 15 credits);
Molecular Biology (core, 15 credits);
Ethics for Science (option, 15 credits);
Microbiology (core, 15 credits);
Micronutrients for Health (option, 15 credits);
Human Immunity (core, 15 credits);
Parasitology (core, 15 credits)

Year 3 modules include:

Project (core, 30 credits);
Toxicology (core, 15 credits);
Fundamentals of Biotechnology (core, 15 credits);
Systems Pathology (option, 15 credits);
Bioinformatics and Molecular Modelling (core, 15 credits);
Work Placement (for Life Sciences) (option, 15 credits);
Infection Control (option, 15 credits);
Energy Metabolism and Endocrinology (option, 15 credits);
Biochemical Pathology (core, 15 credits)

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through essays, group reports, poster presentations, seminar presentations, data analysis and interpretation exercises, and the production and maintenance of a personal profile and curriculum vitae.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£17,600
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£17,600
per year
International
£17,600
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£17,600
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Holloway

Department:

School of Human Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biology (non-specific)

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

90%
UK students
10%
International students
40%
Male students
60%
Female students
80%
2:1 or above
15%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
D
C

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biology (non-specific)

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£17,108
low
Average annual salary
97%
high
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

The recession was tough on biology graduates, and although the jobs market has improved for them - a lot - it's still not back to where it was a few years ago. If you want a career in biology research — and a lot of biology students do - you'll need to take a doctorate, so give some thought as to where you might do it and how you might fund it (the government still funds doctorates for good students). A lot of graduates also take 1 year Masters courses to specialise in this wide and deep subject - most students take a standard biology course for their first degree and then specialise in subjects like ecology, conservation or marine biology later. Hospitals, universities, biotech firms, zoos and nature reserves and clinical and scientific testing are common industries of employment for biology graduates.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Biology (non-specific)

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£18k

£18k

£24k

£24k

£29k

£29k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
Swansea University | Swansea
Biology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 120-128
Lower entry requirements
University of Derby | Derby
Biology with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 72
Nearby University
University of Brighton | Brighton and Hove
Biological Sciences
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-120

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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