Building a healthy, fair, and sustainable world

Our world is facing huge challenges. But biology provides reasons to be optimistic about our future.

In the School of Life Sciences we’re working to tackle the global challenges of the 21st century. By uncovering the causes of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases we can help create novel therapies and medications. By understanding the impact of pollution on marine ecosystems and the biology behind the production and consumption of gases, we tackle issues such as climate change. Through our work on crop genetics we can reduce global food insecurity.

In our School we focus on a One-Health approach to the life sciences. From genes to ecosystems, we teach and research the connections between all aspects of life on earth, from microbes, plants and animals to human and planetary health.

Our research covers the spectrum of biology. Whether you want to learn how to conserve our natural resources, discover new ways to treat disease, or learn about the fundamentals of living organisms, you will be taught by inspirational lecturers who bring their knowledge straight from the research laboratory into the classroom.

We will nurture your skills, knowledge, and understanding, to help you shape the future and improve human and planetary health.

Ready to join us?


Explore our Undergraduate courses View our Masters courses Browse our research degrees
Life Sciences at Essex means...
7th in UK for biology (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
86% of our graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2024)
3rd for student positivity in biosciences (NSS 2025, English Broad Discipline Universities)
1st in the UK for Biology (The Mail University Guide 2025)
A man in glasses smiling in the field wearing a short-sleeved shirt
“The goal of our friendly and supportive School is to make a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world. You will learn from inspirational lecturers, performing cutting-edge research across the spectrum of biology, from genes to ecosystems, to improve human and planetary health. We will share the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to help you to shape the future.”
Professor Terence McGenity Head of School

Tackling global challenges

Latest news
Carnivorous “Death-Ball” Sponge among 30 new deep-sea species
07 Nov 2025
Essex's Business Engagement team crowned best in UK
29 Oct 2025
Search for Shackleton's ship uncovers hidden nest network
29 Oct 2025
A student on their mobile phone
Contact our School of Life Sciences
Kerry Alban General Enquiries
Maz Brook General Enquiries