BSc Hons Biology

You’ll get lots of hands-on practical training throughout your degree: lab work, field trips (UK & abroad), data & computing work, as well as group and individual projects. QMUL ensures you not only learn biology theory but also gain experience in real-world settings (e.g. ecology, conservation, disease biology) and sophisticated research tools. Facilities across QMUL support this: imaging, genomics, in vitro systems etc.

Here are specific modules, facilities, and tools you’ll use:

• Fieldwork modules: Ecological Interactions II (includes field trip to Croatia), Savannah Ecology and Conservation (field trip to African savannas), etc. These give you experience collecting data, doing ecological surveys & environmental sampling. 

• Core and practical modules like Practical Biology, Practical Molecular & Cellular Biology, Techniques in Biological Sciences which include labs, experiment design, hands-on work with microbes/cells etc. 

• Advanced research facilities: QMUL’s Centre for Predictive in vitro Models with organ-chip platforms, microfluidics, 3D bioprinting in the CREATE Lab; state-of-the-art imaging via Advanced Molecular Imaging Service (AMIS); genomics platforms (next-generation sequencing, arrays etc.). 

• Modules in later years like Genome Centre / Genes & Bioinformatics, Coding Skills and Data Science, Functional Genomics & Epigenetics, Molecular Basis of Disease where you’ll use computational tools & software for data analysis, bioinformatics, statistics etc. 

• Research Project / Dissertation: in final year you’ll choose between Biological Sciences Research Project, Public Engagement Project, or Structured Research Project, allowing you to plan and carry out your own experiment, or analyse real data, present findings etc. 

Most graduates from Queen Mary’s Biology programme go on to work or pursue further study very quickly: within 15 months, around 95% are either employed or studying. Typical starting salaries are in the £28,000-£30,000 range. Careers are diverse, ranging beyond lab-based biology into roles involving research, education, industry, and even non-science sectors.

Typical job roles include:

• Laboratory or clinical scientist / technician

• Research assistant in academia or government / industry labs

• Conservation officer or wildlife/ecosystem manager

• Science communicator or educator

• Plus roles using transferable skills (data analysis, project management, marketing, finance)

Progression & Future Opportunities:

• University Careers Services & Support

  • Dedicated careers consultant based in the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences to advise you from early on. An internships coordinator to help find relevant placements. 

  • Queen Mary Careers Service offers help with CVs, cover letters, interview coaching, job fairs, and networking events (e.g. the Science & Technology Careers Fair). 

• Employment & Salary Statistics

  • ~91-96% of Biology graduates are in work or further study within six months to fifteen months after graduating. 

  • Average earnings about £28,975 soon after graduation. For instance, after ~15 months many grads report ~£29,500. 

  • Over time (after 5 years), typical earnings can increase to around £31,500 or more depending on role and sector. 

• University-Industry Partnerships & Real-World Exposure

  • The Queen Mary BioEnterprises (QMB) Innovation Centre provides wet laboratory & office space for start-ups in biology/chemistry, facilitating spin-outs and collaborations. 

  • New lab collaborations: e.g. Lucideon and QMUL have established an in-vitro cell biology lab via a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, giving students exposure to industry-level R&D and technologies.

  • Research partnerships like beLAB1407 (drug discovery) and other doctoral training programmes involving industry partners (MSD, Exscientia, Heptares) provide gateways into high-tech biotech fields. 

• Long-Term Accreditation & Reputation Value

  • Queen Mary is part of the Russell Group, recognised for research output and academic rigour. Employers in biotech, research, pharmaceuticals etc. value degrees from Russell Group universities.

  • The degree offers strong practical components: lab work, fieldwork, hypothesis testing, experimental design etc., which are highly desired by both employers and postgraduate programmes. 

• Graduation Outcomes

  • As noted, very high proportion employed or in further study (95% or more).

  • Many go into science roles (clinical, lab, research), but quite significant number also use transferable skills in business, finance, marketing, or data-centred roles. 

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing the BSc (Hons) Biology, you have several strong options if you want to keep studying:

• Master’s degrees in specialised areas like Genetics, Ecology & Conservation, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, etc. These deepen expertise and often lead to higher-level roles.

• Integrated or standalone research-led postgraduate programmes (MRes / MSc / PhD), especially if you're interested in academic research or R&D in industry. Queen Mary offers doctoral training partnerships with industry (e.g. those involving AI in biosciences) which combine academic supervision and industrial placements. 

• Professional qualifications / training courses depending on career direction—e.g. regulatory affairs, scientific communication, patent law (if leaning towards IP / biotech commercialisation).

• Possibly dual-degree or additional certificate courses in computational/data science / statistics, since those skills increasingly complement biology.