Biological Sciences

Biological sciences is one of the most intellectually rich and practically important areas of university study, encompassing the molecular mechanisms of life, the physiology and behaviour of organisms, the interactions of species in ecosystems, and the evolutionary processes that have produced the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth. It is a discipline that spans from the microscopic to the planetary, from the chemistry of DNA to the dynamics of global ecosystems, and it underpins the life sciences industries, conservation, healthcare, agriculture, and our responses to climate change and biodiversity loss.

At the University of Exeter, this three-year full-time programme is taught in an environment known for strong research across ecology, evolution, behaviour, and the molecular and cell sciences. You will develop both theoretical understanding and practical scientific skills, learning to design and conduct experiments, analyse data, interpret results, and communicate scientific findings. The programme includes a sandwich year in industry, a year abroad, and work placements, all of which give you direct experience in research, industry, or conservation settings before you graduate and an international perspective on the biological sciences.

Exeter's proximity to a range of natural environments, from Dartmoor to the southwest coastline, supports fieldwork and ecological study in diverse settings.

With a typical entry tariff of 152 UCAS points, this degree attracts students with strong scientific backgrounds and a genuine passion for living systems. Graduates pursue careers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, ecological consultancy, conservation, food science, healthcare science, environmental monitoring, science communication, and education. Many continue to postgraduate study, including research degrees in ecology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, or conservation science.

The scientific training a degree in biological sciences provides is also valued in data science, policy, and other analytical roles.