BSc and MBiol Biological Sciences

Right from the start, you’ll be immersed in practical, research-led learning that combines the lab bench with real-world discovery. The programme is designed to build your hands-on capabilities, computational skills, and professional confidence through modern facilities, industry placements, digital tools, and global exposure.

Here’s how you’ll gain authentic, experiential expertise:

• Lab-based practicals embedded from Year 1 onward: Courses include modules like “Introductory Skills in the Molecular Biosciences” and “Introductory Skills in Microbiology,” where you practice core techniques, problem-solving, teamwork, and experimental communication through hands-on sessions. 

• Optional industrial placements and study abroad opportunities: After your second year, you can optionally take a placement year with companies across bioscience sectors—or study abroad at one of Leeds’s 300+ global partner institutions. 

• Research-rich facilities at your fingertips: You’ll learn in world-class, refurbished labs and computing clusters. As you progress, you’ll have access to advanced facilities such as mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, NMR, CRISPR, X-ray crystallography, and bioinformatics platforms. 

• Integrated teaching and digital tools: Lectures, tutorials, and workshops are supported by interactive teaching technologies and Leeds’s Virtual Learning Environment (Minerva), along with electronic lab notebooks to enhance your practical learning. 

• Supportive expertise and research mentorship: From tutorials to your final capstone or project, you’ll work alongside lecturers, professors, postgraduate researchers, and even industry professionals—gaining insight, mentorship, and real-world connections.

• Field, networking & leadership experiences: Engage with interactive opportunities like Bioscience Networking Events and STEM careers fairs—where you meet employers such as GSK, AstraZeneca, LabCorp, and Nuffield, and network with alumni while gaining exposure to industry trends.

Graduates from this programme often pursue fulfilling careers as research scientists, clinical technicians, science communicators, or graduate-entry medicine students, reflecting how hands-on training and research-led teaching set you up for success. Leeds supports your ambitions every step of the way—from day one to well beyond graduation—with tailored opportunities and industry-connected pathways:

• Faculty and Careers Service Support: The Faculty Student Opportunity Team works closely with the University’s Careers Centre to offer tailored employability guidance, internship placement support, CV/interview coaching, and alumni networking events. 

• Outstanding Graduate Employability & Salaries: Leeds is one of the top 10 UK universities most targeted by major employers, secured a 0% unemployment rate 15 months after graduation among Biological Sciences alumni, and sees starting salaries around £25,500, rising to £30,000 within five years. 

• Strong Industry Connections & Events: Engage directly with employers like AstraZeneca, GSK, Covance, Nuffield Health, and several public and environmental bodies via STEM Careers Fairs, networking events, and the annual graduate panel. 

• Accredited, Career-Ready Training: Though specific dispositional accreditations aren’t listed, the programme’s research-led approach and recognition through employer engagement underlie its reputation for career readiness.

• Wide-Ranging Graduate Destinations: Leeds graduates work across sectors including pharmaceutical R&D, conservation biology, clinical science, science writing, teaching, and graduate medicine/pharmacy pathways. 

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BSc, you’re positioned to continue with an MBiol integrated master’s, or advance into PhD research in areas like molecular biology, plant sciences, or biotechnology. The programme also lays a solid foundation for postgraduate training in medicine, veterinary studies, or policy and research-focused careers.