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What makes Biology at Worcester special?

Biology is one of the most actively changing subjects in the sciences, with biologists constantly seeking solutions to the many challenges that shape our world. On our Biology degree, we engage with the subject at every level, from the molecular level through whole organisms and beyond to their relationships with each other and the wider environment. So whether you fall in love with the subject at the biochemical level or whether your passion is about whole organisms and how they interact, BSc Biology is for you and can lead to a huge range of career possibilities when you graduate.

At Worcester you will benefit from small class sizes and easy access to the lecturing staff in the course team, helping you to study in a friendly and productive learning environment. The great thing about studying BSc Biology is that you get to explore the whole of the biological sciences (including human biology, zoology, plant biology, molecular biology and biochemistry) in great detail and you will be taught by experts in these many different fields that cover a general Biology course. This means you have a wide choice when it comes to choosing your modules for the final year and especially choosing what kind of research project you want to take for your dissertation.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology who praised the comprehensive range of skills included in the students’ “skills passport” and positive learning environment.
  • Flexible structure: specialise in your particular areas, such as molecular biology or physiology, or keep your interests wider if you prefer.
  • Study in a friendly and supportive environment.
  • Opportunity to undertake an optional semester abroad.
  • Links with local Wildlife Trusts (including Worcestershire Wildlife Trust) and other environmental and conservation agencies, Sea Life Centres and Safari Parks.
  • Follow your interests and career aspirations by choosing your research project. Recent topics have included Behavioural studies of Barbary Macaques, Reproduction in Amphibians, Extracting DNA from hair samples in small mammal traps, mapping Arabidopsis SPH gene duplication and designing a molecular test to examine Nosema infection in beehives.
Royal Society of Biology accredited degree logo

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology who praised the comprehensive range of skills included in the students’ “skills passport” and positive learning environment.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

96-104
UCAS tariff points

UCAS tariff

96 UCAS Tariff points MUST include A2 Biology and A2 another science, maths or statistics.

104 UCAS Tariff points MUST include A2 Biology.

T Levels may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course. Find out more about T levels as UCAS tariff points here.

Don't quite meet the entry requirements or returning to education? Consider studying Biological Science with Foundation Year.

Language Requirements 

Applicants for this course must have a good command of reading, writing and spoken English.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of their proficiency and must ensure that it is, or is comparable to, Academic IELTs of 6.0 with a score of at least 5.5 in each component.

Other information

International Students – Making an Application

If you are applying as an EU or Non-EU student you are strongly advised to apply online through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

If you are using The Common Application, you can add the University of Worcester to your list of colleges via this link and complete the application there. Further information can be found here “Making an International Application”.

Mature Students

We welcome applicants who hold alternative qualifications/experience and mature students who can demonstrate the ability to benefit from the course and show their potential to complete the course successfully. Although recent preparatory study at an appropriate level (e.g. an Access to Higher Education Diploma) is recommended, students may be considered on the basis of prior evidenced professional/work experience and/or other assessment procedures, and the assessment of personal suitability. University Admissions Office staff can offer information, advice and guidance on this process. The university website also provides information about studying as a mature student.

Two students looking into their microscopes whilst the lecturer leans over the lab counter to talk to them.

Biological sciences foundation year

If you don't quite meet the entry requirements or you're returning to education then you might consider studying this degree with a foundation year.

Find out more about courses with a foundation year

"I really enjoyed being at a smaller university with smaller class sizes, getting the attention of the professors and the support of the University and the staff."

Tiffany Slater, Biology graduate, now Postdoctoral Researcher, University College Cork.

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"I arrived at the University of Worcester not too sure about the future direction of my career, but I finished my degree inspired and eager to start my journey into the world of academic research. The support I received throughout my studies was great."

Rebecca Molland

Course content

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Year 1

Mandatory

  • Biological Diversity
  • Health and Disease
  • Cell Biology
  • Chemistry for the Life Sciences
  • Comparative Physiology

Year 2

Mandatory

  • Animal Behaviour
  • Molecular Genetics and Conservation
  • Plant Biology
  • Project and Career Development
  • Surveying Species and Habitats

Optional

Year 3

Mandatory

  • Research Project
  • Physiological Ecology
  • Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Plant Development and Physiology
  • Residential Biology Field Trip

Optional

  • Mammalian Reproduction
  • Pharmacology
  • Welfare and Ethics in Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Behavioural Ecology
  • Extension Module in Biological Sciences

First Year Module in Focus: Health and Disease

This module will survey the epidemiology of the most common human diseases contracted in developed nations, give insight into the pathophysiology of these conditions and an overview of modern treatments. Finally, given estimates of the general effect of genetics versus environment on our health, we cover life-style strategies to minimise, delay and perhaps avoid the contraction of these diseases. The module also focuses on the development of skills essential for working in a multidisciplinary team in the medical or biosciences whatever your vocation.

Second Year Module in Focus: Animal Behaviour

This module examines animal behaviour in terms of evolutionary history and different learning mechanisms, the underlying processes that produce behaviour and the benefits this brings to animals. It provides a scientific basis for the consideration of current topics in animal behaviour in the context of domestication and natural habitats.

Aside from lectures, you will spend some time observing dogs and training horses. You will be designing an observational study into animal behaviour and spending a day at an animal collection gathering data which will be further examined over the rest of the module. There will be exercises in class, along with plenty of video footage, a very interactive learning environment, including case studies from the lecturer’s veterinary experience. Many students choose to use this module for their dissertation project and many have gone on to work in a related field. Aspects of this module are extended in ‘Welfare and Ethics in Biology’.

Third Year Module in Focus: Physiological Ecology

Have you ever wondered how some animals like kangaroo rats can survive in the desert without drinking water, how some animals can survive being frozen in winter or how human castaways at sea can die from drinking seawater, but whales and seals don’t? Animals live in a wide variety of habitats from marine and freshwater aquatic environments to hot and cold terrestrial deserts and high altitudes. The physical conditions of temperature, pH, water, salts, oxygen and food availability differ markedly between these environments and present animals with a range of challenges to survive.

This module explores morphological, biochemical, physiological and behavioural adaptations of animals to survive the physical rigours of their environments. Physiological ecology combines the disciplines of ecology and physiology, but it also incorporates elements of functional morphology, behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology to investigate some of these questions and potential impacts of climate change on animals.

Student Views

The course deals with many different groups of organisms in terms of their structure, development, physiology, metabolism and ecology. It also explains how a range of new techniques, such as the sequencing of the entire genomes of an increasing number of species, have added enormously to knowledge so that modern biologists can address questions that were unanswerable in the past.

A key strength of the course is the clear linkage between this new information and established knowledge. For example, the new 'genomics' material is taught in association with Mendelian genetics and modern 'bioinformatics' methods are used to show how evolution can be followed by examining DNA and amino acid sequences from different species.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

We enable you to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement.

A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, practical work, field work, video presentations, group tutorials, discussions, directed reading, and formative assessments. The first year also includes study skills sessions. The course is very practical and offers you the opportunity to undertake an independent project in your third year. The emphasis on the development of 'hands on' practical skills will provide you with useful skills for your future career.

In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least 4 occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

You have an opportunity to take a work experience module in your second or third year, to engage with an Erasmus scheme and spend a semester abroad, or to become involved in staff research through the Vacation Research Assistantship Scheme.

Contact time

In a typical week, students will have at least 12 contact hours of teaching, most of which will be on campus. The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected and in the final year there is normally slightly less contact time to allow students to focus on their research project.

Typically, class contact time will be structured around:

  • 4 hours of lectures/seminars
  • 7 hours of supervised laboratory practicals
  • 1 hour of group workshops
  • 1 hour of Study Skills (Year 1 only)

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve:

  • Reviewing lecture notes and reading around topics to reinforce and expand on content
  • Directed and self-directed reading and watching of video content
  • Working through problems in appropriate texts and online
  • Preparation of coursework assignments and revising for exams
  • Working with colleagues on team tasks and projects

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. You will mainly be taught by senior academics, but visiting speakers with specialised expertise may deliver some sessions. Technicians support practical sessions

Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Teaching is informed by research and consultancy. All lecturers in Biological Sciences are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy or working towards this. Twenty per cent also have Teaching Fellowships from the University of Worcester. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or 'formative' assignments. Each module has one or more formal or 'summative' assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods include practical reports, presentations, posters, on-line activities, essays and examinations (which may be practical, written, data analysis, seen exams or open book exams).

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.

Here are a few members of the department who currently teach on this course:

Chris Brown is standing next to a car holding a cup of tea

Dr Chris Brown

Chris studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Following completion of his Honours degree, he joined the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology where he worked on their sub-Antarctic programme for several years, which included over two years carrying out research on the energetics and ecology of penguins, albatrosses and petrels on Marion Island in the sub-Antarctic.

mike wheeler

Dr Mike Wheeler

Dr Mike Wheeler is Course Leader for Medical Sciences and joined the University of Worcester in 2010 after researching in the area of plant molecular genetics. Mike developed a strong background in the biology of cell signalling in plants, with specific research into the mechanisms of self-incompatibility in poppy and the control of polarity in pollen tubes of tobacco.

In addition to his research into plant molecular genetics Mike is also developing means of using molecular biology to solve problems in conservation biology which is a longstanding passion of his. In this area Mike is currently developing eDNA (environmental DNA) techniques to assess the effect of invasive and non-native species on species of conservation concern. Mike is also concerned with projects to help people engage with nature as a means to combatting poor mental health. He leads bird walks around the campus and is involved with projects aimed at increasing birdlife around campus to enrich the environment. He is currently involved in a scheme to improve winter feeding for farmland birds at Lakeside campus in partnership with the local RSPB group. He is a member of the Sustainable Environments Research Group.

Mathieu photo

Dr. Mathieu Di Miceli

Dr Mathieu Di Miceli is a lecturer within the School of Science and the Environment. Mathieu joined the University in 2021 after his long background in neuroscience. Mathieu has developed his skills in electrophysiology in Dr Gronier’s (De Montfort University) and Dr Layé’s (Université de Bordeaux) laboratories, studying the neurophysiological mechanisms following psychostimulant exposure, as well as the link between dietary lipid intake and synaptic plasticity. As a member of the Worcester Biomedical Research Group, he is currently investigating the pathological alterations that can lead to neurophysiological dysfunctions in the brain, using in silico modelling of neural circuits. Mathieu is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and his teaching is focused on anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, epidemiology, genomics and bioinformatics.

dr-kate-ashbrook

Dr Kate Ashbrook

Kate's background includes four years of post-doctoral studies at the University of Bath and a period as a field researcher for the Canadian Wildlife Service where she contributed to long-term monitoring of a seabird colony in Nunavut, Canada.

Her research interests focus on using modelling to understand the dynamics of ecological systems and inform conservation management.

dr-susanne-prankel

Dr Susanna Prankel

Susanna is a vet by training and has spent time in large, small and exotic animal practice in England, Germany and Zimbabwe. Susanna's teaching is very much informed by this practical experience as well as her research experience (particularly from her time at Cambridge University where she completed her PhD on cadmium in the human food chain particularly investigating the accumulation of cadmium in animals).

Susanna's interests are also shaped by her study of philosophy, resulting in a strong interest in animal welfare and ethics.

dr-rob-herbert

Dr Rob Herbert

Dr Rob Herbert is the quality co-ordinator for the School of Science and the Environment and a Principal Lecturer in Biology, and has been with the University since 1992.

Rob has a background in plant cell biology, specifically flowering and the plant cell cycle and has, more recently, begun to look at problems with crop plants such as post-harvest storage, senescence and susceptibility to disease. His last three papers covered the expression of cell cycle gene WEE1 from Arabidopsis thaliana in tobacco, an analysis of volatile and molecular markers in melon to identify potential makers for food quality assessment and the effect of post-harvest stress on volatile organic compounds in early post-harvest senescence in salad rocket.

Careers

Careers

Employability

Our Biology BSc prepares you for a number of degree paths including scientific researcher within government, industry or medical institutions, nature conservation, a range of public sector work and a teaching career. Many of our graduates go on to further study through masters and PhD degrees.

Our Biology degree has a strong applied component. We have retained a great deal of practical and field work, both of which have been greatly reduced in many universities; these give our students an advantage when seeking employment or continuing their studies through a higher degree. This has suited students well for careers in the laboratory or the field. Some are engaged in research or education and some undertake medical qualifications or complete higher degrees.

There are many opportunities to extend your experience and enhance your CV by carrying out voluntary work. Staff members in the Institute have links with several Wild Life Trusts (including Worcestershire Wildlife Trust) and other environmental and conservation agencies, Sea Life Centres, Safari Parks etc. and can help organise voluntary work (which can feed into Research Projects in the final year of study). There has also been the possibility for students to gain experience by volunteering to work within the Environmental Sustainability Eco Campus initiative.

Elisabeth Bowles

Elisabeth Bowles - PhD Student - IBERS, Aberystwyth University

One of the biggest reasons I was accepted onto the PhD course was due to the Research Project, which is completed in the final year of my undergraduate degree. Unlike most universities, Worcester allows students to design and undertake their investigations completely self-driven, with the supervisors acting in a supportive role rather than as a leader. The freedom and responsibility given to us has been hugely transferable not just for my current course but also in getting part-time jobs by being able to prove time management and independence.

I love what I’m doing now and I don’t think I would have been able to achieve what I have had I studied at another university. Worcester helped me go from disappointing A levels, to starting my PhD straight from my Bachelors.

Two students are walking next to each other and smiling

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential
Costs

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £16,200 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the academic year 2024/25 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

You will also need a lab coat, which can be bought for around £13.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £131 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £221 per week (2024/25 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply

How to apply

Applying through UCAS

Biological Sciences (Biology) BSc (Hons) – C100

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Dr Amy Cherry

Admissions tutor

Professional Administrative Service (School of Science and the Environment)