Biological Sciences (MBiol)
MBiol
Key facts
UCAS code
C110
Start dates
September 2023 / September 2024
Course length
Full time: 4 years, 5 years sandwich
Part time: part-time study is possible
UCAS Tariff Points
104
Overview
If you want a career as a professional scientist our MBiol (Biological Sciences) course is for you.
You will develop in-depth understanding of a specific area of biology, including;
- Environmental Biology and Conservation
- Evolution
- Developmental Biology
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Botany
- Zoology.
Our staff are experts with international reputations. Our department’s research expertise includes;
- Environmental Biology
- Taxonomy
- Genomics
- Cell and Molecular Biology.
You can shape your course to suit your interests by choosing a broad approach based on different aspects of biology. Or you can focus on a narrower range of module with a view to becoming a specialist.
You will also develop invaluable skills for the workplace, including communication, leadership and teamwork.

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).
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
In Year 1 you will develop basic science skills and learn core topics such as;
- 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. You also undertake a research project with a staff member, which will develop your scientific skills.
In Year 4 you will undertake a detailed research project. This takes place in a research group at the university or an external organisation. You will gain essential career experience in bioscience and development.

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
You will learn through applying theory in practical settings, either in the lab or the field. This develops your research and employment skills.
We teach you a wide range of skills, including;
- molecular techniques for studying DNA, RNA and proteins
- advanced light and electron microscopy
- field-based methods for species and landscape assessment
- key methodologies for studying evolution and developmental biology.
You will also apply fundamental biology to real life issues.
Field trips
There is the opportunity to go on a one week residential field course in the Cevennes (France) at the end of your first year (Field course: Identification and Methods). This is often a highlight of the first year. The cost of the Field trip is included in your course fees. Depending on your choice of modules there are many other day trips with no extra costs.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
Our assessment methods include;
- reviews of relevant literature
- laboratory and field notebooks
- scientific reports
- posters
- oral presentations.
These activities develop your digital and information literacy.
We design our assessments to shape and develop your learning. We use formative feedback to support your learning. This means we may or may not associate your feedback with a grade.
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
The employment market for graduates in the biosciences is buoyant. The MBiol Biological Sciences offers a solid foundation for postgraduate entry to a scientific career. Industries and organisations seeking bioscientists for research and development careers include:
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Bioscience, biotechnology and healthcare industries
- Chemical
- Environmental agencies
- Agri-environment industries
- Food and drink
- Horticulture
- Hospitals and public health laboratories
- Government or charity-funded research laboratories and institutes
- Universities and research institutes
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
Professor John Runions
John is a cell biologist who uses microscopy to study living cells. This type of research helps to answer questions about the ways in which cells and organisms grow and develop.
Read more about JohnFree 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.
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.