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.
Studying our Biological Science BSc (Hons) course will equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills in biology, biochemistry and living organisms. In areas of theory, you will be given a broad understanding of Human Anatomy and Physiology to analyse the relationship between body parts and their functions. On a deeper level, you will be introduced to the study of microorganisms in our Microbiology and Biochemistry unit that familiarise you with biochemical principles using practical techniques such as light microscopes while establishing good laboratory practice. This closely links to our Cell Biology unit where you will discover various cell structures and types and relate this to how it is fundamental to human life. You will also develop your knowledge of basic concepts in Chemistry and explore the basics of Molecular Genetics unit with topics including chromosome function, genetic inheritance and cell division. To equip you with the research and practical skills for this course, our Skills in Biological Science unit will teach you to record, analyse and report data from experiments.
At the same time, you will gain an understanding of the biochemical and cellular basis of metabolic Biochemistry to understand metabolic processes in an organism. This ties in closely with our Biotechnology unit where you will discover genetic processes such as the genetic manipulation of cells and tissues for research purposes. In the area of medicine, you will develop your understanding of how the human body functions in our Medical Physiology unit that will provide you with in-depth knowledge of human physiology and how it is affected by disease. Biological science impacts various areas of our lives, one of them being food. This is where our Food Microbiology unit will introduce you to the importance of microbiology in the food and nutrition industry as well as the techniques used in the industry such as the role of microbes, its benefits in food production but also its hazards through spoilage or expiry. You will also take a closer look at living organisms in our Ecology and Evolution unit to identify how they interact, influence and adapt to the environment while engaging with ecological research.
In relation to the forensic sciences, our Animals and Plants in Crime unit will teach you to examine and analyse a range of biological evidence using animals and plants to aid forensic investigations. Furthermore, our Environmental Change unit where you will develop your knowledge of the Earth’s ecosystems, topics on climate change, pollution and deforestation, and the impact of this on people. In your final year, you will discover key innovations that have influenced the production of biological data and how this can be used in the clinical treatment of human diseases and biotechnology in our Innovations in Biotechnology unit. Furthermore, you will learn about the applications of Molecular Biology techniques used to analyse DNA, RNA and protein. Similarly, you will examine the diversity and significance of microbes in global ecosystems in our Environmental Microbiology unit to understand the industrial applications and societal benefits of microbes. With plants in particular, you will gain an understanding of the importance of Applied Plant Science and the interaction between plants and people in the forms of medicine, food and even structural materials.
You will also take an in-depth approach to pathology in our Biology of Disease unit where you will learn the principles of investigating patient samples such as blood or urine to help identify, diagnose and treat diseases. This links to our Cellular Biology unit, that will allow you to examine cellular processes and use molecular biology to diagnose and treat human genetic disorders. Finally, you will undertake a Biological Science Research Project in your final year that will give you the opportunity to plan, design and execute a piece of research into a topic of your interest that is relevant to your field of study. You will work to answer a research question based on research and laboratory work using the skills you gained throughout the course. To prepare you for your career, you will also have the opportunity to undertake a Professional Practice Year (Life Sciences) where you can gain career-related experience while building on your professional skills.
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 2025/26 is £9,535 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 2025/26 is £9,535 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 2025/26 is £9,535 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 2025/26 is £9,535 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
