Biological Sciences BSc Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Our Biological Sciences BSc will give you a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and the key skills to prepare you for careers ranging from research, medicine, science and education, to law and management.

Our flexible course enables you to focus on molecular science, human biology or applied biosciences, or take a route designed specifically toward your own interests.

Alongside developing an excellent foundation in biological knowledge, through the study of our core modules, you'll be able to explore global challenges facing humanity and the planet – and the biological solutions to help overcome those challenges – through an extensive range of optional subjects.

You'll have the chance to explore cutting-edge topics in molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, the urban environment, global challenges, pharmacology, and biological applications. Our modules are research driven, with a passion for scientific enquiry.

You'll also have the opportunity to undertake a lab-based final-year project, giving you experience in the latest methods and developments in medical and scientific research.

The University Careers and Employability Service and course-related events provide opportunities to discover a range of bioscience-related careers to support you in preparing for your future.

Our Biological Sciences BSc has been designed to provide a thorough knowledge of biosciences and to equip you with vital transferable skills that will help you to succeed in both science and non-science careers.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Choose your own path – Our course is diverse and flexible, giving you the freedom to select modules and target your education towards your chosen career pathway
  • Gain lab experience – You can gain experience in the latest methods and developments in medical and scientific research by choosing to undertake a lab-based final-year project
  • Award-winning biosciences graduates – The success of our biosciences students has been recognised by a wide range of external awards, including the Biochemical Society Prize and the Royal Society of Biology's Top Student Award

Course structure

Our course is designed so that you can follow one of three routes: molecular science, environmental and microbiology or human biology. However, the flexibility of the program enables you to construct your own thread through the broad range of module choices.

Learning and teaching opportunities are a mixture of face-to-face teaching (lectures, seminars, tutorials, field-trips and practicals), independent work, group work, laboratory classes, virtual simulations and online support activities.

The range of assessment methods includes laboratory practical skills, data analysis, practical proformas, essays, wikis, blogs, posters, presentations and exams.

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Study subjects include:

  • Applications of Biological Sciences
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Fundamentals of Pharmacology
  • Human Physiology
  • Professional Development in Science (PRoDS)
  • Science: History, Philosophy and Practice

Credit Level 4

Study subjects include:

  • Bioinformatics
  • Contemporary Challenges in Biology
  • Exploring the Microbial World
  • Human Parasitology
  • Medical Physiology
  • Metabolic Biochemistry 
  • Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Research Methods

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biological Sciences with Professional Experience. 

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Biological Sciences with International Experience.

Study subjects include:

  • Applied Biotechnology
  • Applied Medical Science
  • Cancer Biology
  • Designing a Sustainable World
  • Gene Editing and Genomics
  • Global Ethics
  • Life: Origins and Evolution
  • Medical Microbiology in the Genomics Era
  • Final Year Project in Life Sciences

Credit Level 6

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Choose your own career path

Our course is diverse and flexible, giving you the freedom to select modules and target your education towards your chosen career pathway.

Award-winning graduates

The success of our biosciences students has been recognised by a wide range of external awards, including the Biochemical Society Prize and the Royal Society of Biology's Top Student Award.

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Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Graduate success

The success of our biosciences students has been recognised by a wide range of external awards, including:

  • Biochemical Society Prize – Camila Gaspar (Biochemistry 2016) 
  • British Pharmacological Society Student Contribution Prize – Pavandip Panesar  (Pharmacology and Physiology, 2016) 
  • Royal Society of Biology Top Student Award –James Linyard (Biochemistry 2017)
  • The Physiology Society Prize and The British Pharmacological Society BSc Pharmacology Prize – James Camp (Pharmacology and Physiology, 2016) 

 

Job roles

The flexibility offered within our Biological Sciences degree will enable you to select from a wide range of bioscience modules, and the assessments are designed to equip you with a range of transferable skills important for any graduate career.

Our graduates have gone on to success in a wide range of careers, including:

  • Forensics
  • Graduate management programmes
  • Healthcare management
  • Medicine and biomedical research
  • Pharmaceutical sciences
  • Teaching

 

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leaders

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Dr Linda Percy

Senior Lecturer

Dr Linda Percy graduated with a BSc in Zoology from University College London in 1998 and went on to study an MSc in Oceanography at the School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton University, where she began to focus her interest on marine phytoplankton. Linda then moved to the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth to study for a PhD in Marine Phycology, in collaboration with the University of Westminster.

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Dr Pooja Basnett

Senior Lecturer

Pooja Basnett is a senior lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of Westminster, where she also completed her PhD in Applied Biotechnology after being awarded a Cavendish Scholarship. Following her PhD, she worked on various European Union funded projects as lead postdoc. Her research focuses on building a sustainable, competitive and cost-effective route to produce biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable bioplastics using renewable, biobased feedstock.

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Dr Polly Hayes

Senior Lecturer

Polly graduated with a BSc in Applied Biology before continuing her studies with a PhD in Parasitology, both from Kingston University. She went on to work as a post-doctoral researcher at Royal Holloway University of London, the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, and the Natural History Museum before joining Westminster as a lecturer in 2015. 

Why study this course?

Target your education

Our flexible course allows you to focus on molecular science, human biology or applied biosciences, or take a route designed specifically towards your chosen career pathway.

Explore cutting-edge topics

Our research-driven modules give you the chance to explore the latest in molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, the urban environment, global challenges, pharmacology, and biological applications. 

Fantastic London location

Our central London location means that you'll be perfectly placed to take advantage of career and collaboration opportunities in the city.

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points), to include two science subjects – one from Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and one from Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Geography and Economics
  • T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of 4 in two HL science subjects
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM in Applied Science
  • BTEC Diploma – DD in Applied Science
  • Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course in Science

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the IB including a minimum of 4 in two HL science subjects

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

More information

International Foundation course

We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London to provide Foundation Certificate courses for international students who don’t meet our Bachelor’s degree entry requirements. Find out how to apply for the Foundation Certificate course.

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

You should budget between £50-£100 for additional materials at Level 4 and around £30 for day trips at Level 5.

See also our general policy on what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

You should budget between £50-£100 for additional materials at Level 4 and around £30 for day trips at Level 5.

See also our general policy on what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
25%75%
2
24%76%
P
1%53%46%
3
33%67%
Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Written exams: end of semester exams 
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
     
Year
1
39%15%46%
2
10%9%81%
P
25%75%
3
21%19%60%
Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2022/23

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring,

Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

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