Why choose the School of Life Sciences
Our Life Sciences industry links include Glaxo Smith Kline, Pharmaron, Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Cellmark Forensics, helping make sure our courses are aligned to the needs of industry and society.
Our Life Sciences graduates are employed by leading-edge companies such as Glaxo Smith Kline, Unilever, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, MSD-Merck and Wellcome Sanger Institute as well as the police, NHS and R&D organisations.
Our Student Skills Lab scheme offers additional, hands-on practice of lab work, testing and trying out techniques for real-world applications.
About the course
This course offers you a wide understanding of life, ranging from single-celled organisms to more complex systems found in plants, animals and humans. You explore their structure at molecular, cellular and organismal level. You gain advanced knowledge in the fields of microbiology; physiology; biochemistry; ecology; evolution; molecular and cellular biology; mechanisms of health and disease; and the application of biology in industry. The course also helps you evaluate and confidently discuss the ethical issues around biological developments such as cloning.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Contemporary STEM building with high-tech labs and bespoke study spaces, providing you with a vibrant and supportive learning environment
- Cell culture lab
- Specialised analytical science suite
- HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS machines alongside facilities for qPCR and protein purification, allowing you to carry out high-end biotech experiments
Industry links
Our Life Sciences Liaison Board works with industry professionals across the pharma-biotech, health and food sectors, including Glaxo Smith Kline, Pharmaron, the NHS, Life Science Group and GrowPura. Our collaboration within the sector help you establish links and gain valuable work experience.
Student experience
- Enjoy practical-oriented, real-world learning that prepares you for employment in your specialist field.
- Get involved in field trips to industry leaders like Biogen, MSD Merck and the Centre for Alternative Technologies.
- Benefit from industry masterclasses and visits from a range of experts including Rothamsted Research; Glaxo Smith Kline; MSD Merck; Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; and UK Health Security Agency.
- Make the most of our annual STEM Careers Expo, bringing together employers and students through presentations, workshops and networking sessions.
- Take part in our Student Skills Lab scheme, where you’ll learn and test out cutting-edge practical techniques with the support of recent graduates.
- Learn from an academic team with active industry involvement and research expertise in progressive areas such as drug development, food security and cancer pathways.
- In your final year, undertake your own research project under the guidance of the Biological Science team, all of whom are actively involved in research themselves.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Year 1
Microbiology and biochemistry – Study the diversity of microorganisms using techniques such as light microscopy, histological preparation and chromatography. Human anatomy and physiology – Explore the interconnected nature of the body’s systems. Cell biology – Examine the structure and organisation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using microscopy. Molecular genetics – Develop your understanding of this field, with a focus on cell division and genetic inheritance. Skills in biological science – Build a range of key study skills including analysis and presentation of data and basic lab techniques. Chemistry – Gain a foundation in areas such as atomic structure, interaction between molecules and thermodynamics.
Year 2
Skills in science – Build confidence in key skills like experimental design, lab safety, data analysis, finding sources and writing proposals. Medical physiology – Understand body systems such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neurology and gastrointestinal. Biotechnology – Learn how DNA replication, transcription and translation work, and how they are used to address global challenges. Food microbiology – Undertake specialist lab experiments focused on the role of microbes in food. Biochemistry – Use experimental techniques to examine how enzymes and proteins work within cells. Ecology and evolution – How Earth’s organisms interact with the environment in areas like predation, decomposition, parasites and diseases. Environmental change – Explore the changes to ecosystems due to global warming and human activity. Animals and plants in crime – Focus on the use of biological evidence in forensic investigations.
Year 3
Biological science research project – Plan, design and complete a piece of research in an area of interest relevant to the course. Innovations in biotechnology – Use techniques such as microarrays and high-throughput sequencing to generate ‘omics’ data. Environmental microbiology – Gain a detailed understanding of the diversity and significance of microbes in global ecosystems. Applied plant science – How food and materials can be produced from plants, including the role of biotechnology. Biology of disease – Examine the physiological processes underlying specific diseases and their clinical signs. Molecular biology – How the molecules of living matter operate and interact to create life. Cellular biology – Explore using molecular biology to diagnose and treat human genetic disorders.
The assessment philosophy of the Biological Science Award conforms to the recommendations of the QAA Benchmarking statement for Biosciences. It includes a range of assessment methods such as:
- Unseen examinations
- Essays
- Laboratory report
- Project reports
- Analytical exercises
- Oral presentations
- Diaries and personal development plans
- Abstract writing journal article reviews
The Fields commitment to practical skills and the ability to communicate and interpret data through scientific report writing is emphasised at all levels of the Programme. As such practical (laboratory) reports form a significant proportion of your assessment. Assessment throughout the later units most notably in the Level 6 research project will call upon you to develop abstract writing and journal review skills to promote critical thinking and integration of knowledge across the course units. The importance of oral communication skills is also acknowledged as some units in Level 5 of the award require all students to undertake oral presentations as a part of the unit assessments. This is then continued in Level 6 units.
Careers
Once you have graduated, you will be have the opportunity to develop a career in research and development in both government or non-governmental laboratories.
You'll have the skills to enter roles requiring scientific writing, publishing or biological or medical sales.
The skills you develop in information sourcing, data analysis and presentation also allow you to seek employment within a broad range of non-scientific careers from financial and managerial posts to politics.
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,790 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,790 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,790 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,790 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Virtual Tour
