Biological Sciences
BSc (Hons)
Key facts
UCAS code
C900
Start dates
September 2023 / September 2024
Course length
Full time: 3 years, 4 years sandwich
Part time: part-time study is possible
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
Our Biological Sciences degree provides you with the flexibility to tailor the course to suit you. You can choose from an extensive range of modules or opt to move to one of our specialist degrees:
- Biological Sciences (Genetics and Genomics)
- Biological Sciences (Human Biosciences)
- Biological Sciences (Zoology)
In year 1 you’ll study a diverse range of topics. In years 2 and 3 you can continue with a broad approach or choose a range of modules to become a specialist. In your final year you can join a research group as part of a research project.
Through extensive practical experience you’ll gain the skills employers look for, including:
- laboratory techniques
- data handling
- computing
- report writing
- oral presentations
- teamwork.
The Oxford area is an important centre for the bioscience industry. We are surrounded by world class research centres like the Nuffield and Churchill hospitals. You can access the UK's largest science collection at the Radcliffe Science Library.
How to apply
Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.
Standard offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 104
A Level: BCC
IB Points: 29
BTEC: DMM
Contextual offer
UCAS Tariff Points: 88
A Level: CCD
IB Points: 27
BTEC: MMM
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
A Level: Including one A Level or a comparable Level 3 qualification in a science subject (e.g. Physical Education, Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology).
You must have studied science post-16, either at A-level or equivalent. If you do not have a background in science, we encourage you to consider our Life Sciences foundation year taught at Abingdon and Witney College.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, or if you would like more preparation before you start, you can take an international foundation course. Once you enrol, you will have a guaranteed pathway to this degree if you pass your foundation course with the required grades.
If you only need to meet the language requirements, you can take our pre-sessional English course. You will develop key language and study skills for academic success and you will not need to take an external language test to progress to your degree.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.
Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.
Application process
Full time Home (UK) applicants
Apply through UCASPart time Home (UK) applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityInternational applicants
Apply direct to the UniversityFull time international applicants can also apply through UCAS
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
You will need to buy some basic personal protection equipment for laboratory practicals (lab coat, safety glasses), at a cost of around £25.
Learning and assessment
Year 1 compulsory modules are:
- Biodiversity
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
In Years 2 and 3 you will develop your studies. You can choose modules on diverse topics, such as;
- Genetics
- Interrogating genomes
- The molecular biology of cancer and conservation.
We will support your learning through practicals.

Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Throughout the course we focus on applying fundamental biology to real life issues. You will focus on applying your knowledge in practical settings, either in the lab or out in the field.
You have the opportunity to gain a wide range of skills. These include:
- molecular techniques
- bioinformatics
- advanced light and electron microscopy
- field-based methods for species and landscape assessment
- cutting edge methodologies for the study of evolution and developmental biology.
Our teaching methods include:
- lectures
- practicals
- tutorials
- seminars
- surgeries.
Field trips
At the end of your first year there is a field course module in southern France. You can experience one week of field study in the Cevennes region. This area is known for its rich natural history, habitat and landscape diversity. The field work allows you to broaden your UK experiences by encountering unfamiliar plants and animals. As the field trip is an alternative compulsory module the cost is covered within the course fees. Depending on your choice of modules there will be other half-day visits and these are at no extra cost.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Assessment is designed to shape and develop learning, not simply measure it.
Our assessment methods include:
- essays
- reviews
- examinations
- laboratory or field notebooks
- scientific reports
- posters
- oral presentations.
You’ll reflect on your progress with assignment feedback together with your diaries.
Study Abroad
You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.
After you graduate
Career prospects
Our graduates enjoy good career prospects working with many diverse organisations. These are some of the destinations of our recent graduates:
- medical school
- teaching
- working in local authorities
- working in research laboratories
As many as 50% of our graduates each year are appointed to research posts. These are within universities, research institutes or biotechnology companies. Many others pursue careers allied to medicine.
Our courses are designed to equip you with the skills you need for employment. The university places a strong emphasis on developing its students to be equipped for a rapidly changing workplace.
Further study
About a quarter of our graduates go on to further study, such as MSc courses, PhDs or PGCEs. One option for future study is the MSc in Medical Genetics and Genomics at Oxford Brookes.
Our Staff
Dr Casper Breuker
"My teaching strongly reflects both my multidisciplinary research interests as well as my commitment to shaping and influencing curriculum development within the department."
Read more about CasperFree language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Related courses
Information from Discover Uni
Full-time study
Part-time study
Programme Changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.