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The Biology BSc (Hons) at Nottingham is a Royal Society of Biology-accredited degree that gives you a broad foundation in life sciences, from molecular biology to ecology, with lots of flexibility in later years to follow your interests in genetics, conservation, or biotechnology. It suits students who want hands-on lab and field work, want to explore diverse biology specialisms, and aim to graduate ready for either industry, research or further study.
Curriculum structure
Year 1
In your first year you’ll take core modules such as Anatomy and Physiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Molecular Evolution and Diversity, and Fundamental and Professional Skills for the Life Sciences. These give you the building blocks: understanding cells, genes, organism structure, and essential lab & professional skills. Optional modules like Biodiversity, Ecology and Behaviour, Principles of Neuroscience, Introduction to Human Nutrition and Metabolism let you start exploring different areas.
Year 2
In the second year you deepen your knowledge with more advanced modules, especially in Genetics and Genomics, also get opportunities to specialize through optional modules depending on your interests (e.g. more ecology, evolution, or molecular biology). You continue practical lab work and begin to do more independent / analytical tasks as you build toward your final year.
Year 3
In the final year you’ll usually do optional modules like Pathogens: Vaccines and Therapeutics, Plants and the Soil Environment, The Cell Biology of Cancer, etc., plus a substantial final year project that lets you carry out original research in an area you choose. These modules offer real-world relevance and often are very applied, preparing you well for work or postgraduate endeavour.
Focus areas
“Genetics & Genomics, Ecology & Conservation, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Pathogens & Immunology, Biotech & Environmental Biology, Lab & Field Skills, Research Project”
Learning outcomes
“You will graduate with the ability to conduct experimental biology including lab and field methods; analyse biological and genetic data; apply knowledge across organisms (plants, animals, microbes); critically evaluate scientific literature; communicate scientific findings; specialize in an area of interest; be prepared for employment or postgraduate study.”
Professional alignment (accreditation)
Nottingham’s Biology BSc is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, which reflects that the degree meets standards valued by employers and ensures recognized biological sciences vocational standard.
Reputation (employability rankings)
93.90% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences secure graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
Starting salary for Nottingham graduates in Biology is ~ £28,993 on average for those working full time after graduation.
The programme is well-ranked, and Nottingham is among the UK’s most targeted universities by leading graduate employers.
From your first semester, learning isn’t just lectures — you’ll get hands-on in labs, fieldwork, and use modern tech and software to build scientific skills. Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences gives you access to state-of-the-art labs, field courses, computational biology tools, and big multidisciplinary and molecular biology facilities. The programme is structured to let you do small-group labs, individual research projects, and optional modules that let you specialise and work with real data, real environments, and real biological systems.
Here are specific tools, facilities, modules and experiences tied to this programme:
Laboratories & teaching spaces: You’ll learn in large multidisciplinary laboratories in the School of Life Sciences and in facilities at the Medical School (for example anatomical, molecular biology, cellular biology labs). Practical lab sessions are mandatory from year one.
Field courses / field skills modules: Modules such as Zoology Field Skills, Ecology Field Course, Environmental Pollution Field Course give you outdoor/field-based practice: sampling, species surveys, environmental data gathering, habitat assessment.
Computational / Bioinformatics Tools: Optional modules like Bioinformatics and Computational Biology allow you to work with real biological/genomic data, software for data analysis, imaging, computational modelling.
Final Year Research Project: In your third year, you do a substantial project of your choice, which could involve lab work, fieldwork, or computational / diagnostic/imaging tools, under academic supervision.
Specialist research centres: You’ll have access to Nottingham’s Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC) facilities (for example robotics suites, analytics, anaerobic cabinets, next-generation sequencing etc.) for advanced projects, collaborations or modules.
Practical modules integrating skills: Early modules like Academic Skills (lecture + lab + computer practicals + tutorials) teach you how to analyze and present data, scientific writing, experimental design; assessment often includes lab reports, posters, field notebooks, etc.
Graduates from Nottingham’s Biology degree go into roles like biomedical researcher, conservation / ecology specialist, healthcare / public health scientist, or science communication / policy advisor. Because of the mix of lab work, field courses, optional modules, and a substantial final year research project, you’ll finish the degree with both strong technical skills and transferable skills valued by employers.
Here’s how Nottingham helps and what outcomes look like:
University services for employability: Nottingham’s Careers and Employability Service offers support ranging from CV / interview workshops, help with placement / internship search, career fairs, and subject-specific career guidance for Life Sciences students.
Employment stats & salary figures: 93.90% of undergraduates in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences secure graduate-level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation; average starting salary is £28,993 for those in full-time graduate-level roles.
University-industry / accreditation value: The Biology degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, which adds recognized professional credibility.
Graduation outcomes: Biology graduates move into a wide variety of industries: pharmaceuticals, agriculture & forestry, bioinformatics/data analysis, healthcare, conservation, government/public sector agencies, teaching, veterinary or medicine etc. The final year project enables specialisation and helps make graduates more competitive.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSc Biology degree you can:
Pursue Master’s degrees in specialisms such as Genetics, Biotechnology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Public Health, etc.
Apply for PhD / doctoral research in areas of interest (e.g. molecular biology, ecology, immunology) especially if you have strong grades and a good project.
Consider professional or conversion courses (e.g. medicine, veterinary, teaching) if your grades and prerequisites align.
CBSE / CISCE / Maharashtra State Board / West Bengal Board: 77% – 92% overall in Class XII.A Levels: AAB overall, including grade B in Biology, plus grade B in one of Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Applied Science, Environmental Science, Statistics, Geography, Psychology, or AQA Use of Mathematics.IB : 32 points overall, including 5 at Higher Level Biology, plus 5 at Higher Level in one of Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Environmental Science, Statistics, Geography, or Psychology.English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in any element).Applicants from the USA usually need 3 AP exams, with scores in the range of 5,5,5 down to 4,4,4. Standardized tests like SAT/ACT are not generally required for most undergraduate programmes. BiomedicalConservationBioinformatics & Data AnalysisAgriculture and ForestryPharmaceuticalsHealthcareGraduate Veterinary and Medicine ProgrammesCivil ServiceScientific Governmental AgenciesTeachingUniversity ResearchJournalism and Science Communications
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University of Nottingham
