Biological Sciences Undergraduate degree
Course also available with Foundation Year
Biological Sciences is a gateway into all Life and Health Sciences career paths. Study what you’re passionate about in this rapidly developing scientific discipline.
Start Date:
September 2023
Entry Tariff:
Year 1 entry: 112 UCAS points (or equivalent)
Foundation Year entry: 48 UCAS points (or equivalent)
Degree Type:
BSc (single honours)
Duration:
3 years (full-time)
4 years (full-time) if opting for the additional placement year
4 years (full-time) if opting for Foundation Year entry
UCAS Code:
C120
C100 (if choosing Foundation Year)
School:
Entry Requirements
Entry tariff:
Year 1 entry: 112 UCAS points (or equivalent)
Degree with Foundation Year
Foundation Year entry: 48 UCAS points (or equivalent)
We welcome applications from students studying T Levels.
For all courses we also accept a wide range of other qualifications and experience. Contact us to find out more.
When we consider applications to study with us, we form a complete view of your achievements to date, and future potential, and can offer flexibility in entry requirements. Find out more about our Contextual Offer scheme.
Specific Entry Requirements:
A-level / BTEC (or equivalent qualification) required in Biology or Chemistry.
GCSE (or equivalent) requirement: Maths Grade C / 4.
Contact us for further information.
General entry requirements:
Why this course
Give your career a head-start through the option of a one-year work placement, after year two.
Take control of your learning by choosing modules in your area of interest.
Work in our state-of-the-art laboratories.
Go to Wales on a field trip, and take up the chance to go on a student-funded trip to South Africa.
Course and Module Details
Overview
On this fascinating BSc, you will delve into the very essence of life and living organisms and will develop your skills and understanding right across the biological disciplines, from core aspects of animal and plant biology via the diversity and evolution of life, right to cutting edge developments within the fields of biotechnology, climate change, antimicrobial resistance and molecular ecology.
This degree provides opportunities to work in our state-of-the-art laboratories, participate in field trips in the UK and abroad, and conduct your own research project. We offer exciting modules such as Chemistry of Life, where you will work in the lab to study the structure, evolution and biochemistry of the cell; Comparative Zoology, where you will learn about vertebrate anatomy, physiology and development; and The Brain in Health and Disease, where you will gain valuable insight into neurobiology and the very latest developments in brain research.
You’ll begin your degree by exploring the key areas of biology, including cell biology, ecology, evolution, and the diversity and details of the major animal and plant groups. You’ll learn about biochemistry and the physiology of our own bodies and contrast them with other species, as well as develop analytical skills to assess laboratory and field data.
In your second year you’ll be able to focus on the key areas that interest you, choosing what to study from our broad range of modules which include diverse topics such as ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behaviour, molecular biology, physiology and immunology. You will also be able to go on a residential field course in rural Wales, and immersing yourself in field and lab data collection.
In third year you’ll specialise further, and select modules from any area of biology as well as complete an independent research project where you’ll collect seminal data on a topic of your choice, advancing current knowledge in that area.
You also have the option of undertaking a one-year paid work placement between years 2 and three, giving you the perfect opportunity to gain valuable work experience and skills within an industry or sector of choice.
Overall, you will gain highly transferable skills allowing you to pursue careers across Life and Health Sciences and beyond.
Placement Year
This course offers all students the option of a one-year paid work placement, to boost your employability even further. If you choose this route, you will take the placement following year two of your course, and then return to complete your degree.
Why take a placement?
A placement year is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable work experience, to build on the career skills we will teach you on this degree. The connections you make on the placement will improve your career prospects further, and equip you with the skills you need to secure graduate-level employment.
How we support you
The University’s Placement and Work Experience Team are experts at helping you to secure a placement. They will work closely with you from the start, helping you research potential employers, discover placement opportunities, create and pitch your CV, and will coach you to perform well in interviews. We aren't able to guarantee a placement, but our sector-leading advisors will give you the best possible chance of securing one.
Find out more about how we'll support you
We understand that your plans might change once you start your programme. If you decide not to do a placement, you will have the option of completing the three year version of your programme.
Whatever your choice, you will have access to many opportunities for work experience through our Placement and Work Experience Team, and access to face-to-face and 24/7 online careers support.
Modules
These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change each year.
Foundation Year
This course is offered as a degree with foundation year - a four-year programme which provides an additional foundation year at the beginning of the degree, that will give you academic and practical experience, as well as the skills you need to ensure you are equipped to successfully complete your chosen degree.
During the foundation year:
- You will complete core modules in English and Mathematics, as well as an extended project which will develop your skills in carrying out research, using scholarly sources, drawing comparisons between your own research and that of others and documenting your findings.
- You will study two modules in Life Sciences which will give you the opportunity to explore methods of scientific thinking and reasoning in an enquiry-based way.
- You will also be introduced to key concepts in human physiology that are common cornerstones of the different degree programmes.
- There is also a Disciplinary Investigation module where you will demonstrate the ability to utilise the academic and subject-specific toolkit acquired through previous modules to manage your own learning, and in partnership with your tutors, negotiate, plan and carry out an investigation into the chosen topic.
Start date:
September 2023
Entry tariff:
Foundation Year entry: 48 UCAS points (or equivalent)
UCAS Code:
C100
Modules
The following modules form the foundation year of this degree.
These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change each year.
Tuition fees and funding
September 2023 entry tuition fees
Year 1 fees, see links in table below for more information.
September 2023 funding
Study Abroad
This course has the option of studying abroad as part of your degree in your second semester of second year.
With Roehampton Abroad scholarships of up to £1,000 and Turing Scheme funding available, you could spend a semester at one of our partner universities across the globe, with destinations including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
Find out more about where your degree could take you here.
Career Options
You will develop highly sought-after skills perfect for careers in a range of industries, including:
- Biotech and bioengineering
- The pharmaceutical industry
- Environmental consultancies
- Forensics and scientific consultancy
- Biological research
You can also continue your studies at post-graduate level.
Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. They will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers. You’ll also have opportunities to work with our partners across London and beyond, and to attend a Roehampton jobs fair where you can find out about graduate opportunities and meet employers.
How to apply
Undergraduate programmes
You can now apply for any programme for any entry point in 2023.
- Home (UK) students – apply through UCAS (Roehampton UCAS institution code is R48)
- International students – apply using our direct application form.
If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Detailed advice on applying for an undergraduate degree is available in the FAQs section below.
Application process FAQs
How do I apply?
If you are applying to us for a full-time degree or extended degree programme, you will need to apply online through UCAS, or direct, depending on the start date of your course and your fee status. Please see tabs above. And don't hesitate to contact us at the same time. Either fill in an online enquiry form, or contact us at the details below!
This is the official applications service for the UK, and they will send your application details to each of the universities you have listed on your application.
When you register with UCAS, you will also receive a username and password so that you can access your application at a later date.
It is very important that you enter the correct institution code (for Roehampton this is R48) and course code for each choice. These can be found on the relevant course pages on our website.
Contact us directly if you have any questions.
What is Roehampton’s UCAS institution code?
The Roehampton UCAS institution code is R48.
What is a buzzword?
Your school, college or centre will give you a buzzword so you can link your application to them. You add this word to your application when you register to make an undergraduate application.
If you are applying independently, without a school or college, you do not need a buzzword.
What if I’m not at school/college?
If you are no longer at school or college you will need to apply to university as an independent applicant. When you register with UCAS they will give you a username and password so that you can complete your application whenever you like.
You will need to complete the online application, including your personal statement and will also need to supply a reference from someone who knows you well, and is able to write about why you are suitable for higher education.
It is very important that you enter the correct institution code (for Roehampton this is R48) and course code for each choice. These can be found on the relevant course pages.
Further guidelines can be found on the UCAS website.
Contact us directly if you have any other questions about applications.
Do I need to complete all of my online application at once?
No. UCAS will issue you with a username and password which you can use to log in whenever and wherever you want to work on your application.
There is no time limit from when you start your application to when you send it, as long as you complete it within the deadlines set by UCAS and your school.
How do I apply if I’m an international student?
If you are a international student, you can apply direct using our online application form.
Details of support we provide for international students, and useful information about the application process, are available on our international web pages.
Can I apply through UCAS more than once?
No, you can only send one UCAS application in each year’s application cycle, but this can include applications for up to five courses. Applying for more than one course will cost extra.
If you do not receive any offers from your initial UCAS application, you can make additional choices through UCAS Extra in the Spring term. You will be sent details of UCAS Extra if you are eligible.
When will I hear back about my application?
If you apply to university before the 25 January deadline you should have received decisions from each of the universities you apply to by 18 May 2023. In this case, you will need to make your replies about which to accept by 8 June 2023.
If you applied after the January deadline, or one or more of your universities hasn’t made a decision on your application by the end of May, other reply dates will apply – please do contact us to find out more.
Can I accept more than one offer?
You can accept two courses – one firm choice and one insurance choice.
If you meet the requirements of your firm choice, then you will be expected to take that place, so you need to be sure that the course you have accepted firmly is the one you want to do.
If you miss the grades for your firm choice and meet the requirements for your insurance choice you will be expected to take up that place.
If you meet the terms of your firm choice and ask to be released from this, you will be entered into Clearing and cannot go to your insurance choice.
How do I know what’s happening with my application?
Once you have applied through UCAS you will be able to follow the progress of each of your applications by using UCAS Track.
You can also contact us directly to find out the status of your application with us.
What are conditional and unconditional offers?
If you apply through UCAS and we make you an offer, we will ordinarily make you one of the following types of offer:
Conditional Offers
This offer requires you to meet particular academic or other conditions before you can join the course of study you have applied for. This could be a combination of grade, scores or subjects and will be outlined in the offer communication that you receive.
Unconditional offers
An unconditional offer has no conditions attached. Unconditional offers are often made to students who already have their achieved qualification grades and who are returning to education after a gap year or a period of time in work.
What happens if Roehampton is my firm choice and I don’t meet the conditions of my offer?
If Roehampton is your firm choice, and you have not met your conditions, please check UCAS track, we may be able to show some flexibility, although this is not guaranteed.
If you have missed the conditions of your firm choice, but met the conditions of your Insurance choice. Congratualtions, you will be studying at your Insurance choice. If you miss the conditions for both your firm and Insurance choice, then UCAS will automatically enter you into Clearing.
Make sure that you are prepared for results day and any decisions you may need/want to make. Check UCAS for more advice about what happens on results day.
If you would like any advice on this, please contact us directly and we can discuss your options.
Will my application be accepted after the January deadline?
If you are applying to university from the UK or European Union (EU), irrespective of your nationality, you must submit your UCAS application before the January deadline in order for it to be guaranteed equal consideration. The deadline for the 2023 cycle is Wednesday 25 January 2023 at 18:00.
We understand that there are many reasons why you may not be able to meet this deadline. With this in mind, Roehampton will still consider applications received after the January deadline, if there are places available on the course.
I am studying T Levels. Can I apply to Roehampton?
The University of Roehampton welcomes the introduction of T Levels and is delighted to confirm that we will be able to accept them across the majority of our programmes. Students will be able to apply using T Levels for both three year and four year undergraduate degrees. UCAS Tariff requirements for each programme, will be made available on programme webpages.
I have accepted an offer to study at Roehampton through UCAS. Can I change my mind?
Yes, if you accepted an offer of study at us or another University through UCAS, you have 14 days in which you can change your response, and you can do so by contacting UCAS.
I have accepted a place at another University but want to join Roehampton. What do I do?
If you want to change your mind, please do get in touch to discuss your options with us. Call us on 0208 392 3314.
What is Clearing and how can I apply?
If you first apply through UCAS after 30 June 2023, UCAS will not send your application to universities but will instead send you details about Clearing.
Clearing a service that is available between July and September to help people find places on higher education courses.
Does Roehampton offer financial support for undergraduates?
Yes, we offer a range of scholarships, alongside support on managing your finances while you are with us.
You can find more information on our financial support pages.
Do you offer student accommodation?
Yes, we have a wide range of on-campus and off-campus student residences. You will be guaranteed University accommodation if you are applying for September 2023 entry.
Find out more about our accommodation and accommodation guarantee here.
Do you provide additional support for care leavers?
Yes to find out more visit our care leavers webpage.
I am already studying at another university. How can I transfer to Roehampton?
We can support you to transfer to Roehampton from another university, into the relevant year of study. Find out more here.
Where can I find advice on applying to University?
UCAS offers a number of helpful articles on the process of applying to universities. You can also find advice and guidance from the Schools and Colleges Engagement Team here.
Need help before you apply?
Course Facilities
Who Teaches Biological Sciences?
Dr Volker Behrends
I'm Volker and I am the programme convenor for the Biological Science and Zoology programmes.
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Dr Andrea Perna
I am Andrea. I am a Senior Lecturer in Biology and Zoology.
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Dr Maria Teresa Esposito
I am Dr Maria Teresa Esposito. I'm a cancer biologist and my research focuses on mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance of leukemic cells.
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Dr Robert Busch
Hello, I am Robert. As a senior lecturer, I teach all years of the Biomedical Science programme.
Read MoreOur Students
“The best aspect of my degree so far is the huge variety of topics and modules we get to study across the different fields in biology. I’ve particularly enjoyed “Introduction to Evolution” as well as our field trips to Richmond Park and Kew Gardens. Outside of my course I love the events put on by the students’ union. The location of campus means you’re connected to so many amazing places and landmarks. It’s really exciting and great for adventuring out and gaining independence.”
Emily Belton, BSc Biological Sciences
Upcoming Events:
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