Subject

Biological sciences

Impatient to understand the world?

Biological sciences

Biology is the scientific exploration of the vast and diverse world of living organisms.

Biology has expanded enormously within recent years, revealing a wealth of knowledge about ourselves and the millions of organisms on our planet. At Essex, you will learn modern lab techniques, participate in research field trips, develop employability skills and explore the most recent developments in the field. You will study integrative biology, which covers the breadth of biology from molecules and cells, to whole organisms and ecosystems - giving you a solid foundation across biological sciences. There has never been a more exciting time to be a biologist.

Why study here?
  • Tailor your degree to your specific interests, whether they be molecular biology or field-based ecological science.
  • We’re 23th in the UK for Biology in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
  • We are ranked 15th in the UK for overall student satisfaction for Biosciences in the National Student Survey 2022.

Looking to start in 2024?

Photo of BSc Biological Sciences student, Mireia Corbera SerraJordia
"The amount of fieldwork the degree offered amazed me. With the University I travelled to Portugal, Indonesia and Greece! I also had the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of modules, from marine biology topics to biomedical science topics. I spent my Placement Year working in both Barcelona and Greece, and it has been an enriching and fulfilling experience that has improved my personal and academic skills."
Mireia Corbera Serrajordia BSc Biological Sciences (including placement year)
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Biological sciences courses in Clearing for 2023

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Courses (17)

Our multi-disciplinary environment enables us to offer a wide range of modular, interdisciplinary taught postgraduate courses which provide targeted training in specialist areas of biological sciences.

In addition, we collaborate with a number of academic departments from across the University including social sciences and humanities.

Why study here?
  • As one of the largest schools at our University, we offer a lively, friendly and supportive environment.
  • We are ranked top 25 for overall student satisfaction for Biology in the National Student Survey 2021.
  • Study specialist modules taught by our academics, industry experts and clinicians within academic and hospital settings.
Our School provides a stimulating environment for research training. 

The research being conducted by members of staff and research students in our School of Life Sciences covers the whole spectrum of biology from genes, proteins, and cells through to whole organisms, communities, and entire ecosystems. We employ a range of state-of-the-art techniques covering all the biological sciences including biochemistry, biomedical science, environmental microbiology, marine biology, ecology, statistics, and computational approaches for biologists.

Why study here?
  • As one of the largest schools at our University, we offer a lively, friendly and supportive environment.
  • A dedicated study room allows all our students to have office space, a desk and a computer outside of the research laboratories.
  • We offer an innovative professional development scheme for doctoral students, unique to the University of Essex.
Photo of Gareth Thomas, PhD Environmental Biology student, scuba diving
"I’ve always been interested in the environment, and Essex specialises in the areas I’m most interested it: conservation, ecology and marine biology. After a decade of working I decided to return to education to pursue a more fulfilling and worthwhile profession, and I definitely haven’t regretted it. Now I’m studying for a PhD in environmental biology, which I wouldn’t have been able to do without the support of my undergraduate dissertation supervisor, personal tutor, and the Employability and Careers Centre, who assisted me with my application."
Gareth Thomas BSc Marine Biology, 2017; PhD Environmental Biology 
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Explore our research

Discover cutting edge research from the University of Essex. Browse our site to find relevant publications, projects, groups, centres, postgraduate opportunities for research supervision and wider areas of interest. Simply search our site to find information relating to your subject.

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We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.