Our academic staff collaborate to produce courses that provide both breadth and depth of subject knowledge.

Full entry requirements

Biological Sciences at Leicester

Biological Sciences at the University of Leicester has an international reputation based on our research strengths, with 85% of our research being recognised as internationally significant in the 2008 RAE, and teaching excellence as evidenced by rankings in the Guardian, Sunday Times and the NSS. 

The University is renowned for the discovery of DNA fingerprinting by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys which has generated a multimillion pound industry and had profound effects in the spheres of health and criminal justice.

The School offers six variations of the degree in Biological Sciences. You may follow a broad course, to graduate with the degree in Biological Sciences itself (C100) or by appropriate course choices, follow one of the specialised degree streams.

All the programmes have a common First Year, which covers the breadth of the subject, giving you a strong basis for choosing your Second Year modules. All students undertake an individual research project in the Final Year, supported by a core module in research skills in the Second Year. Specialisation in your Final Year, along with the research project will allow you to study aspects of the subject that interest you, taught by the friendly staff who are active researchers in those fields.

Why Choose Biological Sciences at Leicester?

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Applications: 1,078
National Student Survey: 94% of students satisfied overall with their course.
Research Rating: 85%
Position in 2012 Subject League Tables: Sunday Times 3rd, Guardian 4th, Independent 6th, Times 10th.
Employability: ranked 10th (of 86) in the Times 2012 Good University Guide for Graduate Opportunities.
Example Jobs: Assistant Healthcare Scientist; Broadcast Journalist; Healthcare Assistant; Healthcare Support Worker; Phlebotomist; Research Assistant; Science Technician; Teaching.
Example Employers: BBC; Boots; Bupa; GlaxoSmithKline; Leicester Royal Infirmary; NHS Trust – Chelsea and Westminster Hospital; Nuffield Health; Reckitt Benckiser; Spire Healthcare; The Co-operative.
Example jobs and employers information comes from the University’s ‘Where Did They Go?’ survey, and shows destinations of 2009/10 graduates 6 months after graduation.

The School is nationally recognised for the high quality of its teaching and research. In the national reviews our teaching was rated as excellent and, in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 85% of our research activity was world-leading, internationally excellent, or internationally significant.

Particular commendation has been made of the enthusiasm of the teaching staff and the links between teaching and research. 

In 2005 the School was awarded the status of a Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning. The School was ranked top for genetics in the 2011 National Student Survey and 3rd and 4th in the UK for biosciences in the Sunday Times and Guardian 2012 University Guides, respectively.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Student learning is by means of a wide range of approaches. Traditional lectures are used to impart core information but these are supported by a variety of activities including tutorials, practical classes, seminars and field work. From the outset, students are encouraged and supported in their development as independent learners.

Methods of assessment are likewise varied. Most modules have a written examination but are also assessed through coursework, including essays, practical reports, oral presentations and data handling exercises. All students also undertake a Final Year research project, which, with its strong emphasis on independent study, forms an important part of your academic and intellectual development.

Course Opportunities

After your Second Year, you have the opportunity to study abroad in the USA or at another European university under the Erasmus scheme or transfer to a four-year sandwich degree, working in a related industry. These programmes are coordinated by the School and offer valuable experience and academic development.

Skills Gained

You will develop a critical approach to learning with a strong emphasis on team-work, ICT and communication skills. You will also use a wide range of practical techniques and gain experience in the design and performance of experimental procedures, including data acquisition, analysis and presentation.

Graduate Opportunities

Our graduate employment record is around 90% six months after graduation. Graduates enter a wide range of employment. About half of all graduates undertake further training mainly on doctoral research or MSc programmes though an increasing proportion embark on graduate-entry medical degrees. Many of those going directly into the workplace find positions closely related to their degree specialisms, for example recent employment positions have included: conservationist; oncology assistant; aquatic ecologist; safety pharmacologist; pharmaceutical representative; medical laboratory technician and quality control analyst. Some use the generic skills they have acquired to enter non-biological professions in business or management.

We run a Study and Communications Skills module and during the Second Year we organise a Careers Day, with employers delivering skills sessions and offering networking opportunities.

Full entry requirements

Opportunities to Visit and Further Information

Choosing where and what to study at university is an important decision for you. We believe it is important to give you the opportunity to talk to our admissions team, so you can find out whether our programmes are the right choice for you.

International students can progress directly on to these courses from the International Foundation Year in Science.

For details of open days or for more information about the School and our courses please contact:

Admissions Secretary
0116 252 3323/2907
Fax: 0116 252 5659
biolsci_admiss@le.ac.uk
www.le.ac.uk/bs

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