Biology BSc Honours

 

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This course is not available in Clearing 2026.

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Course overview

Newcastle has a host of amazing habitats to explore. Experience the charm of the Northumberland countryside, while getting involved in a unique learning experience at Newcastle University.

You'll learn about all forms of life, from cells and molecules to organisms and ecosystems. You'll study the theory in our modern labs and put it to the test in the field. You'll also have many opportunities to attend residential and field courses.

You can also specialise in biotechnology, microbiology, ecological survey techniques and more.

You'll put your skills into action in:

• lab-based classes
• day excursions
• residential field courses

Download information about this course as a PDF

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

Professional accreditation review and recognition of professional qualifications in Europe

Professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by professional bodies to ensure they meet the latest industry practices and regulatory standards. This keeps your degree rigorous, relevant, and highly valued by employers, providing a clear pathway into your chosen career.

If you are studying an accredited degree and considering a career in Europe after graduation, it is important to stay informed about international standards. The best resource for current information is the UK Government's guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states.

This official resource provides essential details on:

• whether your profession is regulated in another country.
• the specific steps you need to take to practice abroad.
• which organisations you should contact to begin the process.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

In the first stage of your degree, you'll develop a strong foundation in biology and get stuck into practical work from the start.

You'll study four compulsory modules (80 credits) and choose 40 credits of optional modules.

After your first stage, you can transfer to our Zoology BSc degree. This must happen before stage 2 starts.

 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Genetics and Evolution	20
Ecology and Conservation	20
Biomolecules – the Biochemical Basis of Life	20
Skills for the Biosciences	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Crop Health	10
Animal Health	10
Introduction to Animal Physiology	10
Molecular Biology of the Cell	20
Animal Life	20

You'll continue to build on the foundation developed in your first year, and start studying more advanced modules delving deeper into the field. You'll also have the option to embark on a residential field course or an intensive practical lab course.

 

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Professional Skills for Bioscientists	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Microbial Biochemistry	20
Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation	20
Biotechnology: Principles and Practice	20
Animal Function (Physiology and Development)	20
The Life of Plants	20
Evolution & Behaviour	20
Insect Biology and Ecology	20
Field-based Ecology: designing experiments, and residential field course	20
Vertebrate Biology and Ecology	20
Tropical Marine Ecology	20

You'll work on your own extensive project, with supervision from an expert in that field.

You can choose a topic linked to our research expertise, such as:

• molecular biology and biotechnology
• plant biology, microbiology, zoology
• conservation and policy
• social sciences and policy
• terrestrial ecology

Modules

Compulsory modules

You will take the following compulsory module:

Compulsory module	Credits
Research Project	40

You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Current Research in Ecology	20
Current Research in Molecular Life Sciences	20
Current Zoology	20

You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Physiological Zoology	20
Microbial Genomics	20

You will also take one of the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Biodiversity Science and Management	20
Global Challenges & Solutions	20

Optional modules

You will take one of the following optional modules:

Optional modules	Credits
Animal Welfare & Behaviour	20
Biological Modelling	20
Advances in Plant Science Research	20
Africa Field Course: Conservation and Ecology*	20

*The Africa Field Course takes place prior to Stage 3. 

With the approval of the Stage Co-ordinator or Degree Programme Director, you may select an alternative optional module of 20 credits to those listed above. The following module may be selected without the need for DPD approval: 

Compulsory module	Credits
Career Development for Final Year Students	20

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2025-26.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

In our teaching, we’ll use a variety of different methods, including:

• lectures
• interactive online classes

Our field and lab-based modules offer practical, hands-on experience. These will equip you with the scientific skills essential for a successful career in Biology.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Presentations

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Hands-on experience

This is a very practical course. You'll spend time working in our modern labs, on field trips and take advantage of our outstations.

These include:

• Newcastle University Farms
• Dove Marine Laboratory
• Great North Museum biological collections

Field trips are undertaken in the beautiful and varied habitats of Northumberland with the option to undertake an overseas field trip.

Lab-based modules will introduce you to key research techniques, including:

• molecular biology and biotechnology
• cellular biochemistry
• molecular evolution and systematics

Several modules focus on fieldwork, such as Field Based Ecology.

Research skills

Your learning will be strongly informed by the latest interdisciplinary research in the field, and by staff in our School. This research-led approach ensures that your studies will equip you with the knowledge and transferable skills for future career paths across a range of sectors.

You'll learn from experts at the forefront of research in their field in:

• microbial biotechnology
• plant biology
• animal physiology and behaviour
• biodiversity and conservation
• biological computer modelling

Some recent student dissertation titles:

• Investigating the molecular mechanisms of amino acid uptake in crop pests
• The effect of artificial light at night (ALAN) on biodiversity
• The Future of British Uplands: A Biodiversity Outlook
• Monitoring seasonal changes in Honeybee density within a colony

Support

We take your health and wellbeing seriously and are committed to supporting you throughout your studies so you can fulfil your potential at university. This support includes:

• an academic adviser who is an academic member of staff who can help you with academic and personal issues throughout your degree
• a peer mentor scheme which pairs you with a current student from your course to help you navigate your first year at university
• a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works
• support, treatment and guidance on mental and physical health from our wellbeing team

Opportunities

Study abroad

Gain a global perspective, enhance your academic profile and open doors to exciting new experiences by studying abroad for one semester or a full academic year at one of our partner universities overseas. Study abroad usually takes place in stage 3 of your studies and extends your degree by one year.

You'll have the choice to study at a leading international university, including:

• Monash University
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Pittsburgh

You can also opt for short-term global opportunities like summer schools, virtual exchanges or internships that usually take place over the summer months.

Work placement

During your degree you can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an industrial placement, in the UK or abroad. Your work placement is a great opportunity to gain practical experience, acquire key business skills and make industry contacts. You’ll get University support from our dedicated team. Work placements usually take place between Stages 2 and 3 and extend your degree by a year.

Recent Biology and Zoology industrial placements include:

• Metabolism Analyst Intern at Covance
• Placement student at Northumbrian Water
• Animal Husbandry Intern at Chester Zoo
• Native Species Sandwich Placement student at Bristol Zoological Society

Your future

Recent graduates have worked as a:

• researcher
• environmental monitoring officer
• science explainer at Newcastle's Centre for Life
• science writer, in organisations such as RSPB, WWT, and Natural England

Many students continue studying for their Master's degrees, PhDs, or postgraduate teaching qualifications, and medicine or law courses.

Having developed a range of transferable skills, you can also explore careers in a range of sectors, eg banking, retail management, media production, or adventure tourism.

Industry links

We have strong links with leading organisations, including:

• National Trust
• Natural History Society of Northumbria
• WWT
• National Parks Authority

You can find work placements, internships and volunteer roles through these links. It’s a great way to build up your network in the sector.

Careers support

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities and environment

Facilities

The Ridley building is the home of our Biology and Zoology degrees and is located on our city-centre campus. It is based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. Located within are purpose-built teaching and specialist research laboratories catering for our specialisms including:

• protein analysis
• microscopy
• computing and data analysis
• chemical analysis and HPLC

During your studies, you'll have access to the University’s outstations including:

• Dove Marine Laboratory with a live aquarium on-site
• Great North Museum with important biological collections
• two commercial farms, Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm

Our outstations are used for teaching, demonstration and research.

You'll also gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software to prepare you for your future career.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2026-2027

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) £9,790
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) 31,500

Home Fee Students

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course. These fee limits can change each academic year and are set by the government.  

Our full-time undergraduate fees for home-fee paying students are: 

• £9,790 in 2026/27 
• £10,050 in 2027/28 

These fees apply to new and continuing students in each academic year. 

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

International students can apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages