MSci Biological Sciences
This course is open for applications
Page last updated 12 May 2023
Introduction
Explore human biology, ecology and molecular biology and tailor your degree to your own areas of interest.
Why study biological sciences?
Exploring the diversity and complexity of living organisms and living systems helps us to understand life in all its forms.
With scientific knowledge and research skills in biological sciences, you can make an important contribution to the welfare of people and the environment.
Biological scientists build strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, which employers value highly.
Why UWE Bristol?
MSci Biological Sciences is about the application of biological science to the real world.
This master's-level degree is an ideal platform if you're looking to pursue a research career, develop your communication and presentation skills, or simply delve deeper into the biological sciences.
With a hands-on, practical approach to learning, you'll have lots of opportunities to build your skills in real-world situations.
Study in our microbiology or genetics labs. Go on an expedition to Madagascar or a Cuban island. Learn about primate ecology at Bristol Zoo.
Discover modern methods and technology, and explore life from the molecular level to the scale of ecosystems.
With many opportunities to build essential practical experience, the course offers the chance to undertake placements, internships, fieldwork and residential trips in the UK and abroad.
If you choose the sandwich course option, you can spend your third year on placement with a major employer in the pharmaceutical, healthcare or research sector in this country, Europe or further afield.
Building on the strengths of our BSc, the fourth year of the course focuses on research and the research process. You'll apply your academic knowledge to contemporary issues, delve into the areas that most interest you, and expand your career horizons.
Where can it take me?
After qualifying, you can go into graduate-level jobs in a diverse range of organisations.
You could pursue careers in biological sciences, working in research and development in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and agrochemical sectors.
You could also work in sales, marketing or education, study for a postgraduate qualification or pursue a research career.
Watch: The learning and teaching experience
Structure
Content
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
Year one
You will study:
- Life on Earth
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Cells Biochemistry and Genetics
- Skills for Biosciences.
Year two
You will study:
- Research Skills.
Plus, optional modules (the number depending on credit requirements) from:
- Microbial Life
- Genetics
- Cell Signalling
- Molecular Biotechnology
- Human Health and Disease
- Human Physiology
- Ecology and Ecosystem Protection
- Wildlife Ecology.
You'll need to achieve an average grade of 2:1 or above by the end of Year two to progress to Year three. If you don't achieve this you will transfer to Year three of BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences.
Placement year (if applicable)
If you study on the five year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after Year two.
You'll complete the Professional Practice in Applied Science module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
Year three
You will study:
- Research Experimental Project or Research Dissertation Project.
Plus optional modules from (the number depending on credit requirements):
- Scientific Frontiers and Enterprise
- Science Communication
- Genomic Technologies
- Medical Genetics
- Cell Control and Disease
- Molecular Medicine
- Medical Microbiology
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology
- Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health
- Pathophysiology
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
- Primate Ecology and Conservation
- Marine Ecosystems
- Environmental Forensics
- Global Forest Systems
- Tropical Expedition
- Environmental Forensics
- Sustainable Food Production.
Final year
You will study:
- Research in Practice
- Research with Impact
- Contemporary Biology.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
The course structure means you can adapt your studies to your own interests. From Year two, you can specialise in molecular biology, human biology or ecology, or all three.
You'll get one-to-one guidance and feedback and we'll guide and encourage you to learn independently, using a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Deepen your learning in practical classes, and laboratory and computer-based sessions.
Learn from experts in this field, involved in the latest research. Our academics are looking at everything from the use of bioluminescent bacteria in cancer therapy, to addressing challenges around sustainable food production.
Develop your practical skills in an independent research project in Year three, which you'll work on with a project supervisor and potentially their research team.
Carry out an extended research project in Final year, taking your practical skills to the next level. You'll learn about research with impact and study advanced contemporary aspects of the biological sciences.
You'll work closely with students in your group and be supported by student advisers, a year tutor and our team of leading biological sciences specialists.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26% | 74% | 0% |
| 2 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 3 | 22% | 78% | 0% |
| 4 | 12% | 88% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Assessment
We'll use a range of assessment tools to measure your understanding and skills, including essays, reports, group tasks and presentations. Overall, we'll use a mix of coursework and examinations.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40% | 50% | 10% |
| 2 | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| 3 | 36% | 54% | 10% |
| 4 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
Features
Placements
Students who go on work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
If you choose to do a five year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year on placement after your third year.
You'll have the opportunity to work with major employers in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, with opportunities for placements, internships and volunteering.
We have links with lots of employers, including GlaxoSmithKline, ICI and Novartis, government laboratories, hospital pathology and university research centres.
You could choose to spend a year working overseas in destinations such as the USA, Malaysia, Germany or Switzerland.
You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from department staff and our award-winning careers service.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an essential part of studying and understanding the natural world, so you will have the opportunity to spend a significant proportion of your time working in the field.
Fieldwork will range from short local trips in and around Bristol, other UK destinations and international residential visits to pleaces ranging from Cornwall to Cuba.
Study facilities
Benefit from our well-equipped, modern science laboratories, with specialist apparatus for molecular biology and cell culture suites to support immunology, virology and microbiology.
Use the latest instrumentation to measure human performance physiology.
Carry out microscopy work in our electron microscopy suite, with the latest biosensing and biotechnology for molecular biology.
Carry out plant science experiments in our large greenhouse, used for teaching and research, and our controlled environment cabinets.
There's also a dedicated field centre to support ecology teaching.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Get a feel for the Biosciences facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.
Life
Accommodation
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
You'll graduate with the insight, tools and practical experience to make a valuable contribution to the health of the community and the wellbeing of the environment.
Most graduates follow careers in biological sciences, particularly research and development work in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, education and agrochemical sectors.
As well as preparing you for a laboratory-based job, the course will give you the transferable skills employers value in a wide variety of roles, from sales and marketing to consultancy and conservation.
Many graduates choose to continue their studies with MPhil/PhD research degrees.
Get inspired
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
See also:
Fees
Indicative Additional Costs
Full-time; sandwich course
Supplementary fee information
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the five year course and then transfer to the four year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
Additional costs
Additional costs are for items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 112
- Contextual tariff: See our contextual offers page.
- GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Literature, Mathematics and Double Science, or equivalent. We do not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy as alternatives to GCSEs.
- English Language Requirement: International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*). *The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Please visit our English language requirements page.
- A-level subjects: Grade C in a Science subject.
- Relevant subjects: Subjects that meet the Science requirement for this course: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, PE.
- EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: You will need a minimum of five units in a Science subject. You may be asked to do more based on the size of your units. Please list the units you are studying in your application. For further advice on acceptable units, please email us.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
- Access: 15 Level 3 credits at Merit in a Science subject.
- Baccalaureate IB: A minimum Grade 5 in a Higher Level Science subject.
- Irish Highers: H2 in a Science subject.
- T Levels: You must be studying Science. For further advice on acceptable subjects please email us.
Entry requirements
If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for MSci Biological Sciences (with Foundation Year).
International applicants
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the Country Information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
How to apply
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email:
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk - Telephone:
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644