Biological Sciences BSc

Biological science asks deeper questions about the human body and the challenges facing humankind such as:

Why are some people more prone to certain diseases and medical conditions than others?

How can we ensure that people remain healthier as they get older?

Why do bacteria evolve to defend themselves against antibiotics and what can we do about it in the future? 

In its attempt to answer these questions, biology encompasses many areas of scientific study such as living organisms, life cycles, adaptations, and the environment. Biological science also incorporates a wealth of exciting and diverse topics from biochemistry and biotechnology to genetics, microbiology, and physiology.

Biological Sciences at Aston offers you an incredible mix of top-quality teaching, world-class research and the opportunity to gain real-world experience with our optional placement year. For those who achieve the required grades in the second year, you will be given the option to enhance your learning by transferring onto our integrated masters MBiol programme; giving you the platform to be a research and development leader and innovator of the future.

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Biological Sciences course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). RSB-accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, preparing graduates to address the needs of employers. The criteria set by the RSB require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the MBiol Biological Sciences integrate masters programme which holds Advanced Degree Accreditation by the RSB*. This advanced accreditation recognises academic excellence in the biosciences and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future. The criteria require evidence that graduates from the course meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining a substantial period of research experience.

Placement year

The best way to prepare you for your future career is to gain experience in the real world of work. That's why our course offers you the option to complete an integrated placement year, taken between the second and final years of your degree.

Designed to make you stand out in the graduate crowd, you can undertake placements in hospital, industrial or research laboratories, as well as non-laboratory settings.

International students and post-study work visa

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students. Students from over 120 different countries choose to study with us every year. Aston is not only a great place to study, based in the centre of Birmingham it’s also a great place to live.

The new post-study work visa enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after they have completed their studies to find work.  For more information visit the government website.

For International Students intending to do a foundation year, visit ONCAMPUS.

Course outline

At Aston, studying Biological Sciences will give you the opportunity to delve far deeper into the detail of how the human body works, and how organisms interact and evolve.

You’ll be taught by experts in their specialist fields of biosciences whose broad range of experience allows us to highlight the real-world applications of the knowledge you are gaining.

During the course, you’ll get the opportunity to:

• Produce penicillin and show how it affects the survival of a clinically important human pathogen.
• Do real-world research focused on the world’s biggest health challenges.
• Take part in an optional fermentation practical where you can brew beer to your own recipe, bottle, label and share with staff and students during a beer-tasting event.

This course is part of the School of Biosciences which sits within the College of Health and Life Sciences.

Modules

Year 1

Study a range of key bioscience topics where you will gain knowledge of the structure, function, synthesis and degradation of biomolecules, how genetic material is stored and inherited, and how to work safely in a laboratory setting.

Core modules:

• Biomolecules
• Cells to Systems
• Microbiology and Genetics
• Metabolic Physiology for Biology

Year 2

Build your knowledge gained in your first year, as well as discover exciting new topics all while developing the skills to apply fundamental biological concepts to experimental and real-world problems.

Core modules:

• Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
• Mechanisms of Pathology
• Human Disease
• Cell Signalling and Physiology

This course is available as BSc Biological Sciences (3 year without placement) or BSc Biological Sciences (4 year with placement year) and both options are available to home, EU, and international students. 

After year 2, students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the integrated masters MBiol programme. Please note you can choose to take the placement year as MBiol Biological Sciences is available as 4 years without placement or 5 years with a placement year.
 

Placement year

Placement (optional)

Opportunity to gain valuable career-boosting experience by setting your studies in a real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals.

This course is available as BSc Biological Sciences (3 year without placement) or BSc Biological Sciences (4 year with placement year) and both options are available to home, EU, and international students. 

After year 2, students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the integrated masters MBiol programme. Please note you can choose to take the placement year as MBiol Biological Sciences is available as 4 years without placement or 5 years with a placement year.
 

Our students have completed placements in:

• Clinical trial companies
• Research institutes
• Breweries
• The food industry
• Pharmaceutical companies (e.g. AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline)
• Medical sales
• Biotechnology companies.

Year 4

BSc final year/penultimate MBiol year

Develop the skills required to complete a substantial original research project and choose from a selection of advanced subjects those that most suit your future career aspirations. This course is available as BSc Biological Sciences (3 year without placement) or BSc Biological Science (4 year with placement year) and both options are available to home, EU, and international students. 

After year 2, students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the integrated masters MBiol programme. Please note you can choose to take the placement year as MBiol Biological Science is available as 4 year without placement or 5 year with placement year.
 

Core modules:

• Research Project Preparation
• Research Project
• Professional Development for Biological Scientists

In addition, you will complete three of the following modules*:

• Bench to Bedside
• Biology of Ageing
• Cancer Biology
• Immunology and Inflammation
• Industrial Biotechnology
• Metabolic Disease
• Molecular and Applied Microbiology
• Pharmacology and Toxicology

MBiol

Final year MBiol

Students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the integrated masters MBiol programme. Please note you can choose to take the placement year as MBiol Biological Sciences is available as 4 year without placement or 5 year with placement year. 

In the final year of MBiol Biological Sciences, students will complete a substantial six-month research project where they will get the opportunity to work alongside postgraduates and post-doctoral fellows in addition to studying advanced masters level modules
 

Core modules:

• Advanced Lab Skills with Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Laboratory Competence Training
• MBiol Key Skills
• MBiol Laboratory Research Project
   

In addition, you will complete one/two (dependent on credit mix) of the following modules*:

• Advanced Molecular Biology
• Applied Microbiology
• Biology of Cancer
• Immunology and Inflammation
• Metabolic Disease  
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Topics in Molecular Bioscience

Please note the availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules.

GCSEs

Five GCSEs which must include Maths and English Language or English Literature all at grade C/4. Please note we do not accept Key skills or Functional skills in place of these. 

A Levels

• BBB in three A Level subjects including Biology.
• BBC in three A Level subjects including Biology and B in either Core Maths or Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
• BCC in three A Level subjects including Biology for our contextual offer scheme.*

The following subjects will not be considered as one of the core three A Levels - General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies.

We welcome applications from students who have tried to improve their examination grades by taking resits and only your latest grades will be accepted. We treat these applications in exactly the same way as other applications.

BTEC

Contextual offer applicants need to achieve a grade C as listed below.

BTEC qualification name*	BTEC grades required	A Level requirements
Extended Diploma	Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* OR Distinction, Distinction, Distinction plus A Levels	This BTEC must be RQF – National in Applied Science D*D*D* (you do not require an additional A Level) OR This BTEC must be QCF in Applied Science DDD and you must also achieve grade B in A Level Biology OR If you are studying a non-science subject in this BTEC which is QCF or RQF – National then you must achieve DDD and grade B in A Level Biology.
Diploma (QCF) National Diploma	Distinction, Distinction (DD)	With this BTEC you must also achieve grade B in A Level Biology.
Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) National Extended Certificate	Distinction (D)	With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Levels of which one must be Biology.
90 Credit Diploma (QCF)	Distinction, Distinction (DD)	With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Levels of which one must be Biology.
National Foundation Diploma	Distinction (D)	With this BTEC you must also achieve grades BB in two A Levels of which one must be Biology.

*Please note that on the UCAS application form QCF BTEC Extended Diploma appears under the name BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) and the RQF BTEC Extended Diploma appears under the name Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (1080) (2016 to Present). If you unsure of which qualification you are taking, please contact your school or college provider to confirm.

T Level

This qualification is not accepted for this course.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Standard offer: 31 points overall and must include grades 5, 5, 5 in Higher Level subjects which must include Biology. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language.

Contextual offer: 28 points overall and must include grades 5, 4, 4 in Higher Level subjects which must include Biology. You must also have Standard Level grade 5 in both Mathematics and English Language for contextual offer students.*

Access to Higher Education

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 30 distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction. Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification, and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement. Subjects Accepted: Applied Science, Biology combined with Chemistry, Biomedical Science, Biosciences, Combined Sciences, Health Sciences, Health Sciences Professions, Life Sciences and Sciences, and Medicine and Healthcare Professions.

Please note we do not accept Health and Social Care as it does not contain the amount of core science material required for subsequent undergraduate studies on this degree.

International Students

International qualifications

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification. Find out more about our English language requirements. International students can discover more about the qualifications we accept on our international pages.

International foundation programmes

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, we have a range of pathway programmes offered by our partner, ONCAMPUS Aston, which you can complete to progress onto one of our degrees.

Other

Degree

Year 1:

We consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a degree in a related field elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A-level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this, you must have gained (or be expected to gain) 60% overall and 120 credits with no fails at another recognised university.

In order to be considered, you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications, and this must include an academic reference.

Year2/Year3/Final Year:

We are not taking applications for Year 2, Year 3 or Final Year transfers.  

View our Transfers Policy

For further information regarding the transfers policy and Student Transfer Arrangements please see here.

Age of qualifications

Applicants must normally have achieved their eligible academic qualifications for entry onto this course within the last three years. Applicants presenting qualifications older than three years will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic Admissions Lead.

External Foundation Programmes from another University

We consider external foundation programmes for entry into our year 1 programmes on a case-by-case basis. We will always require applicants to have met the following criteria prior to application:

5 GCSE’s at grade C/4 or above including Maths and English.
CCC at A Level, must include Biology.

Any conditional offers made will be based on meeting a specific grade in your foundation programme. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications.

View our Admissions Policy under the 'Respect' tab on our Principles and Policies page.

Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above). We would also consider applicants with achieved grades of CCC and above which are below the listed requirements on a case by case scenario if the application is of a high standard, strong academic reference and any gaps in study are explained.

*For details on our Aston Ready contextual offer scheme, please see here.

The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor.

There is a huge breadth of academic research undertaken across Aston which is integrated into our courses. It’s this integration that gives you a distinct advantage in your studies by ensuring you have access to the latest trends, thinking, issues and research.

You’ll encounter a wide range of teaching approaches, from lectures and group work to practical sessions and interactive workshops and tutorials.

Each year of study is worth 120 credits, with each credit equivalent to 10 learning hours. The learning hours may include but are not limited to lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab sessions, practicals, online activity, reading, other independent study, reflecting on assignment feedback, field trips and work placements.

Assessments

You will be continuously assessed throughout the course with a wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes, such as:

• exams
• essay writing
• practical and laboratory reports
• presentations
• peer assessment.

Key course staff

Programme Director: Dr Russell Collighan

What learning facilities can I expect?

• Extensive and well-equipped laboratories with a variety of equipment designed to support your learning in an industry-relevant environment.
• Refurbished lecture theatres and seminar rooms.
• Computer laboratories and a virtual learning environment used for general study, revision and assessment. This platform allows you to access a comprehensive range of study materials, scientific journals, e-journals, databases and Aston Library, fully refurbished and equipped for the digital age. Open 24 hours a day at key points throughout the year with a variety of study spaces, academic support advisors on hand and course texts available electronically or in book form.

*The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be charged the same tuition rates as Home students.

Further information

*Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law. When undertaking a placement year a placement year fee applies.

More information on fees https://www2.aston.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/student-finance

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs. Find out more about our scholarships here. https://www2.aston.ac.uk/scholarships

Our graduates enter a wide range of professional careers, including:

• research
• health
• welfare
• biological industries in roles such as laboratory technician and research assistant.

In addition to scientific positions, some graduates enter general management and personnel work, as well as product development and marketing, while others move into teaching, continue with further research or study including MSc and PhD qualifications.

Recent destinations include:

• Abbott Laboratories
• Asterand Bioscience
• Aston University
• Berwick Partners
• IVC Brunel Healthcare
• National Milk Laboratories
• NHS Trusts
• The Binding Site
• Secondary Schools
• University of Warwick.

“The impact of Biological Science within society and in our world is clear; the discipline provides accurate clinical information, which guides and influences clinical staff in the treatment and management of patients presenting with a vast array of different illnesses and diseases, ranging from infection to cancer.”

Dr Tony Worthington, Reader in Biosciences

What’s the difference between BSc Biological and BSc Biomedical Science?

In biological science, you delve much deeper into your understanding of how the human body works. You’ll help to answer some of the biggest questions in human biology. Biomedical science is focused more on developing solutions for these challenges in a healthcare context.

What accreditations does the course have?

Our Biological Sciences BSc course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). This means that when you graduate, you’ll have met a defined set of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills. Our MBiol Biological Science degree holds Advanced Degree Accreditation by the RSB.

What careers can I expect to move into?

After graduating, you will have all you need (including optional industry experience) to move into

• research
• health
• welfare
• biological industries in roles such as laboratory technician and research assistant.

Why should international students choose Aston University?

Study at Aston University and you will be part of a multi-cultural community located at the heart of the dynamic city of Birmingham. Our courses are practical, inspired by industry and many have internationally recognised accreditations. Renowned for our employability prospects and connections to business and industry, we provide outstanding careers support, advice and placement opportunities.

For those interested in working in the UK after they have graduated, the UK Government have created a new post-study work visa. For more information visit the government website.