BSc Biology

At Bristol, BSc Biology students don’t just learn concepts—they do biology. From your very first year, you'll gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge labs, master essential research techniques, and embrace real-world biological applications. The Life Sciences Building offers a collaborative and tech-savvy environment where digital tools, small-group tutorials, and research opportunities nourish your curiosity and fuel your confidence.

Here’s how this plays out in practice:

• High-spec teaching laboratories equipped with fluorescence, compound, stereo and light microscopy, alongside imaging tools—perfect for exploring microscopic life. 

• Genetic analysis facilities, including PCR machines and gel electrophoresis/documentation systems—to sharpen your molecular biology skills. 

• Environmental monitoring gear such as pH meters, oxygen meters, and spectrophotometers—so you can assess and analyse ecosystems firsthand. 

• Digital Laboratory Manuals (DLMs)—digital tools that guide you through core practical techniques and make your learning seamless and interactive. 

• Research labs for final-year projects, where you can work side-by-side with academics, postgraduate researchers, and technical staff on meaningful biological investigations. 

• Life Sciences Building amenities—break-out spaces, seminar rooms, and social zones designed to spark collaboration, exchange ideas, and foster academic community. 

• Global field courses spanning locations like Costa Rica and Pembrokeshire—travel abroad or explore local ecosystems and gather real data in dynamic environments. 

• The University of Bristol Botanical Garden, accessible on campus, offering glasshouses, rare plant collections, and evolutionary displays—ideal for hands-on study in botany and ecology. 

Graduates of the BSc Biology program move into dynamic roles such as Research Scientist, Conservation Biologist, Environmental Policy Advisor, or Science Communicator—making an impact from labs to landscapes. Strong graduate outcomes reflect a curriculum designed for both scientific depth and real-world relevance.

And here’s how we’d support you on your journey:

• University Services to Support Employment

  • The Careers Service offers hands-on guidance—helping you explore careers, polish applications, and build workplace skills. You’ll also get access to online tools, employer networking events, and free use of the service for up to 3 years post-graduation.

  • Through the University SME Internship Scheme, you can gain paid, real-world experience with small to medium-sized organisations, boosting your CV and professional network.

  • The Bristol PLUS Award encourages you to take on volunteering, workshops, and employer engagement opportunities—getting you career-ready in a holistic sense.

• Employment Stats & Salary Figures

  • Biological Sciences graduates are among the highest-paid in the UK three years after graduation, with median salaries of approximately £26,300.

• University–Industry Partnerships

  • Bristol’s Biological Sciences school maintains strong ties with industry names like BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol Zoological Society, and the Botanical Garden, enriching learning with guest input and career insights.

• Long-Term Accreditation Value

  • While the degree is not professionally accredited in the traditional sense, it equips you with deeply transferable analytical, communication, and research skills—valued across academic, environmental, biotech, and policy roles.

• Graduation Outcomes

  • Alumni thrive in diverse careers—leading conservation projects for DEFRA, serving as Environmental Policy Advisors, founding biotech ventures, producing award-winning natural history films for the BBC, working as environmental consultants, and more.

Further Academic Progression:
Finally, many of our graduates carry on—pursuing Masters (MSc) or PhD research in areas like ecology, evolutionary biology, plant sciences, or bioinformatics. Some transition into Medical, Veterinary, or teaching pathways, while others choose business or science communication graduate routes. Bristol’s research-intensive environment and academic networks provide a solid launchpad for these advanced journeys.