Biology / Life Sciences
From molecular biology to ecology, UK life sciences programmes offer outstanding research facilities and fieldwork opportunities.
Notable Biology / Life Sciences Programmes
A curated selection of top-ranked, distinctive and interesting biology / life sciences programmes across UK universities.
Natural Sciences (Biological)
Cambridge's unique Natural Sciences tripos — study multiple sciences before specialising in biology
Cambridge doesn't offer a standalone biology degree. Instead, students take the Natural Sciences tripos, choosing from biology, chemistry, physics and earth sciences in years one and two before specialising. This interdisciplinary foundation produces graduates with exceptional breadth. The department has produced numerous Nobel laureates in physiology and medicine.
Biological Sciences
Scotland's leading life sciences hub — flexible programme with extensive fieldwork
Edinburgh's biology programme benefits from the university's position in one of Europe's largest bioscience research clusters. The four-year Scottish degree allows exploration of multiple areas before specialising in areas like ecology, genetics, plant science or zoology. Field courses in Scotland's diverse landscapes are a highlight, and the programme provides strong preparation for research careers.
Biology
Top-5 for biosciences — excellent research-led teaching and field course options
Bristol's biology programme is consistently top-5 in UK rankings. Students benefit from research-led teaching across molecular to ecosystem scales. Optional field courses in locations from the Gower Peninsula to tropical rainforests in Borneo provide extraordinary hands-on experience. The programme has strong links to Bristol Zoo and the city's thriving life sciences sector.
Ecology and Conservation Biology
Specialist conservation programme with field stations in the Peak District and overseas
Sheffield's specialist programme focuses specifically on ecology, evolution and conservation rather than offering a generic biology degree. The university's proximity to the Peak District National Park provides an immediate natural laboratory. Students participate in fieldwork in habitats ranging from moorlands to tropical forests and gain practical skills in species identification, population modelling and conservation management.
44 universities offer this subject
Imperial College London
London · England · UK Rank #1
University of Oxford
Oxford · England · UK Rank #2
King's College London
London · England · UK Rank #5
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University of Manchester
Manchester · England · UK Rank #7
University of Warwick
Coventry · England · UK Rank #10
University of Birmingham
Birmingham · England · UK Rank #11
University of Glasgow
Glasgow · Scotland · UK Rank #12
University of Leeds
Leeds · England · UK Rank #13
University of Southampton
Southampton · England · UK Rank #14
University of Sheffield
Sheffield · England · UK Rank #15
University of Nottingham
Nottingham · England · UK Rank #17
Queen Mary University of London
London · England · UK Rank #18
University of St Andrews
St Andrews · Scotland · UK Rank #19
University of Bath
Bath · England · UK Rank #20
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne · England · UK Rank #21
University of Liverpool
Liverpool · England · UK Rank #22
University of Exeter
Exeter · England · UK Rank #23
Lancaster University
Lancaster · England · UK Rank #24
University of York
York · England · UK Rank #25
Cardiff University
Cardiff · Wales · UK Rank #26
University of Reading
Reading · England · UK Rank #27
Queen's University Belfast
Belfast · Northern Ireland · UK Rank #28
University of Loughborough
Loughborough · England · UK Rank #29
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow · Scotland · UK Rank #30
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen · Scotland · UK Rank #31
University of Surrey
Guildford · England · UK Rank #32
University of Sussex
Brighton · England · UK Rank #33
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh · Scotland · UK Rank #34
Swansea University
Swansea · Wales · UK Rank #35
Royal Veterinary College
London · England · UK Rank #35
University of Leicester
Leicester · England · UK Rank #37
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford · England · UK Rank #38
University of East Anglia
Norwich · England · UK Rank #39
Aston University
Birmingham · England · UK Rank #42
University of Essex
Colchester · England · UK Rank #43
University of Kent
Canterbury · England · UK Rank #43
University of Dundee
Dundee · Scotland · UK Rank #44
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham · England · UK Rank #46
University of Stirling
Stirling · Scotland · UK Rank #49
University of Hull
Hull · England · UK Rank #51
Bangor University
Bangor · Wales · UK Rank #54
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth · Wales · UK Rank #63
Keele University
Keele · England · UK Rank #66
University of Winchester
Winchester · England · UK Rank #97
Career Pathways
Where a UK Biology / Life Sciences degree can take you — typical graduate starting salaries: £24,000–£40,000
Professional Accreditation
RSB (Royal Society of Biology) accredited degrees provide Chartered Biologist eligibility.
Subject Overview
Featured
BA Natural Sciences (Biological)
The most flexible science degree in the UK — choose from 16 biological subjects over three years.
Compare Universities
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Compare Tool →Programs at Top UK Universities
96 programs across 79 universities
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Covers molecular biology, ecology, and genomics. Fourth-year research project in world-leading labs.
Covers molecular biology, protein science, and metabolic biochemistry.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Research-intensive with field course options.
Covers ecology, evolution, cell biology, and neuroscience. Field courses in UK and overseas.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Access to the National Oceanography Centre for marine biology research. Covers ecology, genetics, and molecular biology.
Covers molecular biology, ecology, and genetics. Field courses in the Peak District.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers genetics, ecology, and cell biology. University Park campus with extensive grounds.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers marine biology, ecology, and molecular biology. Scottish coastal fieldwork opportunities.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Access to the Dove Marine Laboratory and North Sea field stations. Strong ecology and conservation focus.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Covers ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. Cornwall campus fieldwork.
The Biology programme at Lancaster University offers an engaging curriculum designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
York Biology is top 10 in the UK. Covers molecular biology, ecology, and biotechnology with strong fieldwork components.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers marine biology, ecology, and molecular biology. Strangford Lough fieldwork.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers ecology, marine biology, and conservation. Scottish Highlands fieldwork.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Focused on animal biology, veterinary science foundations, and biological research methods.
Joint programme with the Zoological Society of London. Combines fieldwork at London Zoo with laboratory research.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
The Biochemistry programme at Nottingham Trent University offers an engaging curriculum designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Study Biochemistry at Coventry University and develop expertise through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical work.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Access to the Menai Strait and Snowdonia National Park. One of the UK best locations for marine and ocean sciences.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Gain in-depth knowledge of Biology through our comprehensive programme, featuring expert teaching and modern facilities.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
The Genetics programme at Bournemouth University offers an engaging curriculum designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths.
Explore Marine Biology at Bournemouth University, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience and industry connections.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Study Genetics at Edinburgh Napier University and develop expertise through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical work.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Covers molecular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Explore Biochemistry at University of West London, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience and industry connections.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Gain in-depth knowledge of Genetics through our comprehensive programme, featuring expert teaching and modern facilities.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Covers marine ecosystems, oceanography, and conservation.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Study Biochemistry at University of Winchester and develop expertise through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical work.
Join our Genetics programme and benefit from University of Winchester's research-led teaching and supportive learning environment.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
Broad biological sciences covering molecular biology, ecology, genetics and physiology. Laboratory and fieldwork from year one.
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