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Qualification type
BSc (Hons)

Biological Sciences (with a Foundation Year)

UCAS code C108

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
4 Years (1 + 3)
Start date and application deadlines
Start date
September 2025
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Starts on:

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.

How to apply

Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2025 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.

Combine this subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

  • Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
  • Choose joint or major minor subjects
  • Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
  • Same number of credits as single honours students
  • Same classes as single honours students
  • Appeal to a wide range of employers

Explore combined degrees for Biological and Biomedical Sciences courses

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About this course

Intended for adult learners or undergraduates who wish to take up Biology but do not have the appropriate subject background, Biological Sciences offers a foundation year at nearby Carmel College.


Introduction

This is not a programme in itself but acts as a springboard onto other Bioscience degrees. This deferred choice programme means that you have the flexibility and freedom to switch to your chosen degree after completing the foundation year (year zero).

The aim of this programme is to make you an expert in one particular field with the ability to cross discipline boundaries, a highly attractive prospect to employers.

Programme in detail

Year zero comprises introductory modules taught at Carmel College. Carmel College is located in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus.  The College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement. Years one, two and three will continue at Liverpool following the chosen area of interest through to BSc (Hons) or MBiolSci completion.

Find information about what essential and optional modules you will need to take during your Year Zero at Carmel College to progress to your chosen University of Liverpool degree programme in our guide to progression routes


What you'll learn

  • Knowledge and understanding of the subject and the ability to evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve problems
  • Skills that will equip you to investigate research topics and communicate your findings
  • How to analyse and interpret real-world data and communicate the results clearly and concisely
  • How to access and critically evaluate scientific literature in the area of biological sciences

Routes

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We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.


Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year zero

You will be based at Carmel College in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. Carmel College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement. The programme, which is moderated by University staff, comprises introductory modules in biology, applications of biology and mathematics, plus either chemistry or geography. Further information about progression subjects can be found on the Carmel website.

 

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

You will experience a range of learning environments during your studies at Liverpool. These will include student-centred activities as well as lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals, dissection classes, fieldwork, data handling sessions and computer workshops. Some of these activities will be performed individually, such as personal research projects, and others in small tutorial or project groups, in addition to formal lectures and workshops. You will have research staff as well as your own academic adviser for individual tuition on our acclaimed tutorial programme.

How you're assessed

As well as factual knowledge and understanding, biologists need practical and organisational skills, and an ability to work both alone and with other people. We record development of these abilities through continuous assessment during each semester and by final examination.

Liverpool Hallmarks

We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

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Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Year abroad

Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.

  • Choose from up-to 26 countries
  • Experience another way of life
  • Inspire your future career or studies
  • Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
  • More likely to earn higher salary
  • More likely to be employed after graduating

Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • USA

More about taking a year abroad

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Your experience

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

An exciting place for postgraduate study

  • Programmes taught by internationally-renowned scientists and clinicians
  • Research-connected education covering the full life science spectrum from biochemistry to zoology
  • Access to world-class facilities
  • Provide specialist training with taught and research components
  • Options for intercalating students
  • Vibrant postgraduate community.
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Careers and employability

As a Biosciences graduate from the University of Liverpool, you will have an excellent set of career options ahead of you.

Typical types of roles/routes our graduates have gone on include:

  • Postgraduate study: (MBiolSci, MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD)
  • Public sector – research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, forensic science and the Environment Agency.
  • Commercial sectors – pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, water and agriculture industries.
  • Journalists and information/liaison officers – by developments in molecular biology and biotechnology.
  • Teaching profession by taking a postgraduate qualification (PGCE).
  • Routes to postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.

Recent employers and sectors:

  • Pharmaceutical sector: Eli-Lilly, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, NHS, Red X Pharma;
  • Tourism/Conservation sector: Blue Planet Aquarium, Chester Zoo, RSPCA;
  • Government/Legal sector: Crown Prosecution Service, The Environment Agency, Public Health England, Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Security and International Development;
  • Media/Entertainment Sector: BBC;
  • Corporate and Utilities sector: United Utilities, Vodafone, Unilever.

4 in 5 biosciences students at the University of Liverpool find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

(Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.)

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My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £9,535
Foundation year fee - £7,500
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)

Following the foundation years, standard course fees apply.

The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.


Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.


Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Nolan Scholarships

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

Rigby Enterprise Award

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

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My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification Details
A levels

T levels

T levels considered in a relevant subject and specialism.

Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.

GCSE

All applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Mathematics and two Sciences, including Biology. Core and Additional Science/Dual Science acceptable as the two Sciences.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Considered.
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you.


Alternative entry requirements

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Entry requirements: which qualifications do you need?

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

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Last updated 12 March 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions

Changes to Biological Sciences (with a Foundation Year) leading to BSc (Hons)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

14 January 2025: Duolingo English Test requirements updated

Duolingo English Test requirements updated. See English language requirements for details of the revised requirements.

16 December 2024: Change to Year in Industry information

This course was updated to reflect the fact that an official “Year in Industry” option is not currently available.

19 April 2023: Progression routes updated

Progression routes updated and added to the Overview section.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.