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Biological Sciences

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 29/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
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Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Our flexible BSc lets you tailor your degree to your interests and career goals. Choose to focus on organisms and the environment, form and function of plants or animals, human health, or the molecular basis of life, before putting your skills and knowledge into practice in the lab and field.

Why study this course?

  • Top 100 in the world for life sciences (THE World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

  • Close links with the NHS: Complete research on cancer and ageing in partnership with the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

  • Real lab experience: Complete an extended laboratory project or field course in the UK or abroad, then bring all your knowledge and skills together with your third-year research project.

Our three-year BSc Biological Sciences course offers you the flexibility to discover what kind of biologist you want to be.

You'll start by studying a broad foundation in biological science. This will allow you to explore the subject and discover what excites you most. You can then choose to focus on areas including biodiversity and conservation, the anatomy or biochemistry of plants and animals, or the molecular basis of human health.

At Sheffield, you’ll be encouraged to be creative, think independently and express your ideas. Depending on what modules you choose, you could be carrying out fieldwork in the Peak District, studying life at the atomic level, modelling the gene networks that resulted in speciation, or even working with scientists from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to diagnose cancer samples.

No matter what areas of biological science you choose to study at Sheffield, you'll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills - such as project management, problem-solving, communication skills and data analysis - that make our graduates attractive to employers.

All this experience will prepare you for your third-year research project where you could be laboratory-based, field-based, focus on computer modelling, or even science communication.

Gain extra experience as part of your degree
You can add an extra year of research experience with an integrated masters (MBiolSci), or spend a year on a work placement and gain transferable skills working with a top employer.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 29/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C100
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Sheffield has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
C100
Institution code:
S18
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

including Biology* and a second science (second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Science, Geology or Geography). *Human Biology accepted in lieu of Biology, but Biology and Human Biology cannot be accepted in combination as the two sciences.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD

DDD in Applied Science (Basic, Biomedical Science, or Analytical & Forensic Science* streams only), or Health and Social Care. Additional module requirements also apply.

Access to HE Diploma - D: 36 credits M: 9 credits P: 0 credits

Award of Access to HE Diploma in Science, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction (to include Biology and a second science), and 9 at Merit

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

in Applied Science + A at A Level

Scottish Advanced Higher - AB

in Biology* and a second science + AABBB in Scottish Highers (second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Science, or Geography) *Human Biology accepted in lieu of Biology, but Biology and Human Biology cannot be accepted in combination as the two sciences.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

with 6,5 in Higher Level Biology and a second science (second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Psychology, or Geography)

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - B

+ AA in Biology* and a second science (second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Science, Geology or Geography). *Human Biology accepted in lieu of Biology, but Biology and Human Biology cannot be accepted in combination as the two sciences

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H2, H3

including Biology and a second science (second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, or Physics)

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English grade 4/C

T Level - Not accepted

To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: ww.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

English language requirements for undergraduates https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/english-language

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

The entry grades data only represents a proportion of our cohort. We accept a broad range of qualifications on our degrees and we're committed to ensuring all students with the potential to succeed at Sheffield are informed and feel encouraged to apply. If you meet one or more of our Access Sheffield criteria, we may be able to give your application additional consideration when we receive it and when exam results are released.

Learn more on the University of Sheffield website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
International£30570Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider. Further guidance can be found here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-costs

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