BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences Bachelor's degree at the University of Exeter
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences at University of Exeter. Exeter's Biosciences department sits within a research-intensive Russell Group institution, meaning the teaching you receive is shaped by staff who are actively working at the edge of their fields rather than simply relaying textbook…
About this course
Explore what Exeter graduates do | Career Zone | University of Exeter Section links Career Planning Reflect on yourself Explore your options Exploring Postgraduate Study Employment Sectors Explore what Exeter graduates do Anthropology Arab and Islamic Studies Archaeology Art History and Visual Culture Biosciences Class From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Exeter, based in Streatham Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Biosciences graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £26,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Biological Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 75; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 87% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 96% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 8 modules
- AnimalsCompulsory15 credits
- BiochemistryCompulsory15 credits
- Fundamental Principles for BioscientistsCompulsory15 credits
- GeneticsCompulsory15 credits
- EcologyCompulsory15 credits
- MicrobiologyCompulsory15 credits
- PlantsCompulsory15 credits
- CellsCompulsory15 credits
Year 2 40 modules
- Research Skills and BioethicsCompulsory15 credits
- Learning from Professional Placement ExperienceCompulsory30 credits
- Professional Placement and ReportCompulsory90 credits
- Study Abroad (HLS)Compulsory120 credits
- Biosciences Research ProjectCompulsory45 credits
- Marine BiologyOptional15 credits
- Animal EcophysiologyOptional15 credits
- Practical Skills in Field EcologyOptional15 credits
- International Field CourseOptional15 credits
- Observations and Experiments in Animal BehaviourOptional15 credits
- Wild BehaviourOptional15 credits
- Molecular Biology of the GeneOptional15 credits
- Advanced MicrobiologyOptional15 credits
- Advanced Cell BiologyOptional15 credits
- Genomics and Introductory BioinformaticsOptional15 credits
- Medical GeneticsOptional15 credits
- The Biology of CancerOptional15 credits
- Forensic ScienceOptional15 credits
- Ecology and EnvironmentOptional15 credits
- MetabolismOptional15 credits
- Analytical Techniques in BiochemistryOptional15 credits
- Modern Theories of EvolutionOptional15 credits
- Molecular Plant ScienceOptional15 credits
- Employability and Career DevelopmentOptional15 credits
- Advanced Applications of PhysiologyOptional15 credits
- EcotoxicologyOptional15 credits
- Current Issues in Marine BiologyOptional15 credits
- Beyond the Frontiers of Medical MycologyOptional15 credits
- Molecular Biology of Bacterial InfectionOptional15 credits
- Cellular Basis of ImmunityOptional15 credits
- Living in a Microbial WorldOptional15 credits
- Frontiers in Molecular Cell BiologyOptional15 credits
- Cell Biology of DiseaseOptional15 credits
- BioinformaticsOptional15 credits
- Ecology of Environmental ChangeOptional15 credits
- Pharmacology and Medicinal ChemistryOptional15 credits
- Horizons of Biochemical ResearchOptional15 credits
- Protein Structure in Research and IndustryOptional15 credits
- Sustainable NutritionOptional15 credits
- Science CommunicationOptional15 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is built around a small number of connected strands rather than a long list of standalone modules. You'll work through core theory that establishes the biological principles underpinning everything else you study, alongside research & methods training that builds your competence with data, evidence and scientific reasoning. Applied practice gives you the chance to put that theory to work in practical, lab-based or field settings. As you progress, specialist options let you steer the degree toward the areas of biology that interest you most, such as ecology, physiology, genetics or molecular biology, depending on what's offered when you reach that stage. An independent project forms a significant part of the later years, giving you the experience of designing and carrying out a piece of research from start to finish. Running throughout is a thread of professional skills, communication, teamwork, data handling and scientific writing, intended to prepare you for the working world as much as for further academic study.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who has enjoyed biology at school or college and wants to keep asking why living systems work the way they do, rather than accepting textbook answers at face value. Most entrants arrive having studied A-levels or an equivalent qualification, typically in the 144–159 UCAS tariff range, so you'll likely be joining a cohort with a similar academic background in the sciences, though this reflects what previous students actually held rather than a fixed requirement. You should be comfortable with a mix of independent reading, practical labwork and group study, and be prepared to spend real time in laboratories and, depending on your options, in the field. It's a good fit if you like being given room to steer your own learning, the specialist options and independent project reward students who develop their own interests rather than waiting to be told what to study next. Curiosity about research methods and a willingness to get hands-on with data and evidence will serve you well, as will patience with the slower, more methodical pace that proper scientific investigation demands.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Biological Sciences courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their degree, and 60% of those in work are in roles classed as highly skilled or are continuing into further study. These figures relate to the field as a whole rather than to any single university, so they give a general sense of the landscape rather than a promise tied to this specific course. National graduate earnings data (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) show starting salaries of roughly £23,000–£29,000 at 15 months after graduation, £20,400–£28,800 after three years, and £25,075–£35,400 after five years, again figures for the discipline nationally, not guaranteed outcomes, and pay varies considerably depending on sector, role and location. Also worth noting: 90% of students on Biological Sciences courses nationally continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed, which is a reasonable proxy for how manageable and engaging students generally find the transition into this kind of degree.
University & format
The University of Exeter is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1955. This BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences degree is studied full-time over three years at the Streatham Campus, taught in English. The university holds a Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) and was. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the BSc (Hons) qualification you receive is nationally recognised on completion.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 89% |
| another higher-education qualification | 6% |
| a Baccalaureate | 6% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Exeter →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Biological Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £26,500 | £24,000 – £30,000 | 75 |
| 3 years after | £23,500 | £18,000 – £30,000 | 375 |
| 5 years after | £30,500 | £23,500 – £37,000 | 415 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 75; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in biological sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Biological Sciences nationally
National figures for Biological Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 75; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Biological Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 771 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Conservation and environment professionalsSOC 2020 215 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,520
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 130; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Biological Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Biological Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS & hospital labs
- Pharma & biotech
- Universities & institutes
- Public-health bodies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Biological Sciences graduates.
Head of School, Biological Sciences - Strategic Leadership & GrowthUNIVERSITY OF READINGEducation-Focused Assistant Professor, Biological SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambicBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambic Therapeutics, IncCrop Geneticist The James Hutton Institute, Department of Cell & Molecular SciencesEuropean Plant Science OrganisationRegional Lead, Life Sciences FM, UK, Ireland & NordicsJLLIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £26,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.0 out of 10: NSS 87% · in work or study 87% · continued 96%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Exeter
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Streatham Campus
1,452 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Biological Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Exeter from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Exeter; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Exeter’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Exeter and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Exeter
Common questions
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