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Biology

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B

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 excluded. We accept the following: • Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics. • Science-related subjects: computing, environmental science, food science, geography, geology, PE, psychology, science in society, statistics, use of mathematics. 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 the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or the Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ) this can 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 ABB at A-level and grade A in the EPQ (BSc applicants) or AAB and grade A in the EPQ (MBiol applicants).

Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, graded at D39M6P0 including distinctions in biology and mathematics or chemistry. Accept Access courses in Applied Science and Science. Will also consider (depending on subject content): • biochemical sciences • biological and environmental science • biological and health science • biological sciences • biosciences • combined sciences • environmental science • life and biological science • life science • medical and health science professions • natural sciences • physical & natural sciences.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,M1

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 (BSc applicants) or D3/D3/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (MBiol applicants).

Applicants offering an EPQ or IPQ qualification will receive a standard offer, as shown above, plus an alternative offer. The alternative offer would be ABB plus grade A in EPQ / IPQ. Subject-specific requirements are still valid.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34

(With 17 at higher level) including 6 in higher level biology and preferably another science or science-related subject at higher level.

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

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

Including H2 in Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject at higher level.

Applicants with BTEC qualifications (Diploma or Extended Diploma) are required to have A2 level biology (maths, chemistry and physics may be acceptable alternatives depending on the BTEC subject). Distinctions in the BTEC subject and an A or B grade (BTEC subject dependent) for the A-level subject are required. Applicants with BTEC Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must have at least 2 A2 levels and at least one of these must be in biology.

Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AB in 2 Advanced Highers including biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. General studies and critical thinking excluded. If biology is the only science subject then an A grade is required. We accept the following: - Science subjects include: biology, human biology, chemistry, maths and physics. - Science-related subjects include: computing, environmental science, geography, geology, P.E, psychology, science in society, statistics, food science and use of maths Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

UCAS Tariff

136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

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 | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

Subject

Biology

From genes to behaviour and evolution to ecology, studying Biology at Leeds will provide you with a holistic understanding of the whole topic. Personalise your degree to match your needs as you progress; will you choose to pursue human biology, conservation, immunology, genetic engineering or any one of the other study areas the University of Leeds has to offer?

Biology has vital applications in current key global challenges. An ever-growing world population jeopardises the environment whilst pressures on resources threaten endangered species and agricultural production. With your degree, you will be at the forefront of providing sustainable solutions.

Be part of the revolution in genomics, gene modification and biotechnology currently transforming the world. Equipped with the skills and knowledge of the fundamental biological processes, understand and drive forward science-based solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues.

This 3-year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training, to study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project.

**Course highlights:**
- Field course options include trips to Scotland, Spain and South Africa, developing practical field-based skills in a wide range of habitats.

- Access to visit and conduct research at the University’s state-of-the-art National Pig Centre.

- Collaborate on your final year research project with an expert in the field. For example, you could study marine biology to better manage coral reefs threatened by climate change, understand how bees cooperate as social animals, or develop new ways to reduce the impact of invasive species on local ecosystems.

- Build practical experience undertaking modules including practical genetics, parasitology and field course options.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

Faculty of Biological Sciences

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What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

73%
Biology

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)

Teaching and learning

78%
Staff make the subject interesting
82%
Staff are good at explaining things
91%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
57%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

61%
Library resources
84%
IT resources
71%
Course specific equipment and facilities
73%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

92%
UK students
8%
International students
33%
Male students
67%
Female students
92%
2:1 or above
4%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
A

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.

£20,000
med
Average annual salary
96%
med
Employed or in further education
57%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

14%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
14%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
8%
Teaching and educational professionals

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.

£21k

£21k

£26k

£26k

£30k

£30k

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...

Lower entry requirements
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Biology with a Year Abroad
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 120-128
Nearby University
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Pharmacology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-112

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here