Biological Sciences
Understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems.
Biological Sciences with Research Abroad
Understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems.
Biological Sciences with a Year in Industry/Research
Understand the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems.
Develop your skills in laboratory, computational and field work
Learn how to analyse biological experiments
Enhance your research expertise on an optional year abroad or a year in industry
Course key facts
-
Qualification
-
BSc
-
-
Duration
3 years
-
Start date
October 2025
-
UCAS course code
C100
-
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£9,535 per year Home
£43,300 per year Overseas
-
Delivered by
-
Location
-
South Kensington
-
-
Applications: places
8 : 1 (2023)
Minimum entry standard
-
AAA (A-level)
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38 points (International Baccalaureate)
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Qualification
-
BSc
-
-
Duration
4 years
-
Start date
October 2025
-
UCAS course code
Apply to C100
-
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£9,535 per year Home
£43,300 per year Overseas
-
Delivered by
-
Location
-
South Kensington
-
-
Applications: places
8 : 1 (2023)
Minimum entry standard
-
AAA (A-level)
-
38 points (International Baccalaureate)
-
Qualification
-
BSc
-
-
Duration
4 years
-
Start date
October 2025
-
UCAS course code
Apply to C100
-
Study mode
Full-time
-
Fees
£9,535 per year Home
£43,300 per year Overseas
-
Delivered by
-
Location
-
South Kensington
-
-
Applications: places
8 : 1 (2023)
Minimum entry standard
-
AAA (A-level)
-
38 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Develop your appreciation of biology on this three-year course, where you'll build the key scientific skills required for ongoing research or a career in the life sciences.
You'll examine the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. Through this work, you'll gain a detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of various organisms as you explore the diversity of life on earth.
Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme. This provides training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation.
The second year offers you the chance to specialise across a series of optional modules, in areas including ecology, molecular biology and stem cells.
Laboratory, computational and field work will help you acquire the skills to design, carry out and analyse data from biological experiments.
With access to the thriving research environment at Imperial, you'll be taught by world leaders as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems.
Your studies culminate in the final year with an extensive research project. This work will enable you to progress your personal and professional identity as a life scientist.
Develop your appreciation of biology on this four-year course, which incorporates a research year abroad.
You'll examine the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. This will help you build the key scientific skills required for ongoing research or a career in the life sciences.
Through this work, you'll gain a detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of certain organisms as you explore the diversity of life on earth.
Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme. This provides training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation.
The second year offers you the chance to specialise across a series of optional modules, in areas including ecology, molecular biology and stem cells.
Laboratory, computational and field work will help you acquire the skills to design, carry out and analyse data from biological experiments.
With access to the thriving research environment at Imperial, you'll be taught by world leaders in the field as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems.
Your third year is spent with an approved university abroad, and is designed to help you develop linguistic skills as you experience a different cultural environment.
Your studies culminate in the final year with an extensive research project. This work will enable you to enhance your personal and professional identity as a life scientist.
Develop your appreciation of biology on this four-year course, which incorporates a year in industry or research.
You'll examine the behaviour of living systems from the level of cells up to whole organisms and ecosystems. This will help you build the key scientific skills required for ongoing research or a career in the life sciences.
Through this work, you'll gain a detailed knowledge of the relationships, evolution, and key features of certain organisms as you explore the diversity of life on earth.
Your studies will be complemented by a dedicated Life Science Skills programme. You'll receive training in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation.
The second year offers you the chance to specialise across a series of optional modules, in areas including ecology, molecular biology and stem cells.
Laboratory, computational and field work will help you acquire the skills to design, carry out and analyse data from biological experiments.
With access to the thriving research environment at Imperial, you'll be taught by world leaders in the field as you learn how to solve complex real-world problems.
Your third year will see you integrate your academic work with practical experience and employment in industry or research institutes.
Placements can be in areas as wide-ranging as the pharmaceutical industry, marine biology, or agriculture, and can take place either in the UK or overseas.
Your studies culminate in the final year with an extensive research project. This work will enable you to enhance your personal and professional identity as a life scientist.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
- Biological Chemistry and Microbiology
- Evolution and Diversity
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Ecology and Evolution
You’ll study all core modules.
You’ll also choose three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
Core modules
- Applied Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics, Statistics and Programming
- Tutored Dissertation
- I-Explore
Optional modules
Group A
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Essentials of Ecology
Group B
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Behavioural Ecology
Group C
- Vertebrate Form and Evolution
- Ecological Field Skills
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Computational ‘Omics
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
You'll study three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
You'll also select a research project option from Group D.
Optional modules
Group A
- Mechanisms of Gene Expression
- Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing
- Metabolic & Network Engineering
- Medical Microbiology
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Current Topics in Development Biology
- Advanced Topics in Infection & Immunity
- African Biology Field Course
Group B
- Bacterial Molecular Machines
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Evolutionary Applications
- Advanced Topics in Parasitology & Vector Biology
- Symbiosis, Plant Immunity and Disease
- Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology
Group C
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease
- The Microbiome
- Advanced Immunology
- Plant Biotechnology & Development
- Global Change Biology
Group D
- Practical Research Project (Lab, Computational, Field) or
- Science Communication plus Literature Research Project (Research Proposal)
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
- Biological Chemistry and Microbiology
- Evolution and Diversity
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Ecology and Evolution
You’ll study all core modules.
You’ll also choose three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
Core modules
- Applied Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics, Statistics and Programming
- Tutored Dissertation
- I-Explore
Optional modules
Group A
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Essentials of Ecology
Group B
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Behavioural Ecology
Group C
- Vertebrate Form and Evolution
- Ecological Field Skills
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Computational ‘Omics
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
The third year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, or Switzerland.
We currently have exchange agreements with:
- University of Vienna, Austria
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, France
- SupAgro, France
- University of Paris, France
- University of Paris Saclay, France
- University of Strasbourg, France
- University of Toulouse 3, France
- University of Heidelberg, Germany
- University of Padova, Italy
- University of Leiden, Netherlands
- Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain
- University of Valencia, Spain
- Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree.
You'll study three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
You'll also select a research project option from Group D.
Optional modules
Group A
- Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing
- Metabolic & Network Engineering
- Medical Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology & Development
- Current Topics in Development Biology
- African Biology Field Course
- Evolutionary Applications
Group B
- Advanced Bacterial & Eukaryotic Cell Biology
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Advanced Topics in Parasitology & Vector Biology
- Symbiosis, Plant Immunity and Disease
- Advanced Topics in Infection & Immunity
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology
- Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
Group C
- The Microbiome
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Advanced Immunology
- Global Change Biology
Group D
- Practical Research Project (Lab, Computational, Field) or
- Science Communication plus Literature Research Project (Research Proposal)
You’ll study all core modules.
Core modules
- Biological Chemistry and Microbiology
- Evolution and Diversity
- Cell Biology and Genetics
- Ecology and Evolution
You’ll study all core modules.
You’ll also choose three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
Core modules
- Applied Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics, Statistics and Programming
- Tutored Dissertation
- I-Explore
Optional modules
Group A
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Molecular Microbiology
- Essentials of Ecology
Group B
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Behavioural Ecology
Group C
- Vertebrate Form and Evolution
- Ecological Field Skills
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Computational ‘Omics
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
You will spend this year either working in industry or completing research.
This will be an integrated, 12-month placement in industry or a research organisation.
This can be in a variety of areas, such as medical research, conservation biology, marine biology or the pharmaceutical industry.
Students from the Department have previously completed placements with:
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Oxford University
- Novartis
- Institute of Cancer Research
- Natural History Museum
The employer can often be in a location of your choice – including outside the UK – as long as you are successful in obtaining a position there and the placement is approved by the Department.
You'll study three optional modules, one from each of Groups A, B and C.
You'll also select a research project option from Group D.
Optional modules
Group A
- Stem Cells, Regeneration & Ageing
- Metabolic & Network Engineering
- Medical Microbiology
- Plant Biotechnology & Development
- Current Topics in Development Biology
- African Biology Field Course
- Evolutionary Applications
Group B
- Advanced Bacterial & Eukaryotic Cell Biology
- Integrative Systems Biology
- Advanced Topics in Parasitology & Vector Biology
- Symbiosis, Plant Immunity and Disease
- Advanced Topics in Infection & Immunity
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology
- Disease Ecology and Epidemiology
Group C
- The Microbiome
- Molecular Basis of Bacterial Infection
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic Biology
- Systems Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain in Health & Disease
- Biodiversity Genomics
- Advanced Immunology
- Global Change Biology
Group D
- Practical Research Project (Lab, Computational, Field) or
- Science Communication plus Literature Research Project (Research Proposal)
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- 70% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
-
Laboratory
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Seminars
-
Site visits
-
Group project
-
Research project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Examination
- Coursework
Year 1
- 60% Examination
- 40% Coursework
Year 2
- 48% Examination
- 52% Coursework
Year 3
- 56% Examination
- 44% Coursework
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Essays
-
Individual research
-
Laboratory write-ups
-
Presentations
-
Reports
-
Written examinations
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- 70% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
-
Laboratory
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Seminars
-
Site visits
-
Group project
-
Research project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Examination
- Coursework
Year 1
- 60% Examination
- 40% Coursework
Year 2
- 48% Examination
- 52% Coursework
Year 4
- 56% Examination
- 44% Coursework
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Essays
-
Individual research
-
Laboratory write-ups
-
Presentations
-
Reports
-
Written examinations
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- Independent study
Years 1 and 2
- 30% Lectures, laboratory work and seminars
- 70% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
-
Laboratory
-
Lectures
-
Tutorials
-
Seminars
-
Site visits
-
Group project
-
Research project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Examination
- Coursework
Year 1
- 60% Examination
- 40% Coursework
Year 2
- 48% Examination
- 52% Coursework
Year 4
- 56% Examination
- 44% Coursework
Assessment methods
-
Coursework
-
Essays
-
Individual research
-
Laboratory write-ups
-
Presentations
-
Reports
-
Written examinations
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
You can now submit your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.
UCAS institution code: I50
Application deadlines – 29 January 2025 at 18.00 (UK time)
UCAS institution code: I50
Application deadlines – 29 January 2025 at 18.00 (UK time)
UCAS institution code: I50
Application deadlines – 29 January 2025 at 18.00 (UK time)
This department does not use a test as part of its selection process.
Predicted grades and scores in your application are important, but it’s not the only thing that drives the decision.
Our selectors will also consider things like your personal statement and your references to understand whether there is a good match between you and your chosen subject and department at Imperial.
You can read more about our selection process, including tips on writing a personal statement, in our How to apply section.
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
Generally, the department does not hold interviews.
Applications from school leavers who wish to take a gap year are welcome. Applicants must state in their UCAS personal statement how they propose to spend their time.
For Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, we sometimes accept transfers from other institutions into the second year. Students should provide us with a transcript of their first year grades and details of their Pre-University Qualifications and the grades attained in them.
Offers are based on the number of places available (if any), the relevance of the modules covered in the first year elsewhere and the grades achieved. If we feel direct entry to the second year wouldn't be possible we may offer you first year entry instead.
We do not accept any transfers into the third year of any of our courses.
Applicants who are unsuccessful cannot be reconsidered for entry within the same cycle but may reapply the following year without prejudice with a new application. We consider resit students in open competition with all other applicants.
We do not accept Access courses, Foundation years or OU courses.
General studies will not be accepted at any level. Other qualifications, such as Key Skills or Critical Thinking, while useful, will not count towards an offer.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
The structure of the Department's courses means that transfer between different Biotechnology and Biochemistry degrees is usually possible up until the end of the second year.
- Transfer onto Language for Science courses must be completed at the very start of the first year.
- Transfer onto Year in Industry/Research courses should be completed at the start of the second year to allow time to arrange a suitable placement.
- It is not possible to transfer onto one of the Biological Sciences degrees from a Biochemistry or Biotechnology degree.
- Transfer onto the Management Year is subject to approval from the Imperial College Business School; and academic performance in the first two years of the degree (students should be working to a 2:1 standard by the end of their second year).
If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa.
Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.
Language requirement
Teaching is in the language of your host country, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Availability
There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
Normally, only students with marks of 60% or above will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students with marks of 70% or above will be eligible for placements in the USA.
Please note the list of universities located abroad that the Department currently has partnerships with is illustrative.
Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
Read more about how our language for science degrees are taught on the Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication website.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£9,535 per year
Year abroad
2025 entry
£1,450 for that year
Year in industry
2025 entry
£1,900 for that year
Important update for 2025 entry
The UK government has announced that, starting in April 2025, maximum tuition fees for Home undergraduate students in England will increase from £9,250 per year to £9,535. Find out more.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
The loan is paid directly to the university.
You will start repaying it only after you leave your course, have a job, and are earning above a certain amount.
Once the repayments start, the amount you pay each month depends on how much you earn, not on how much you owe in total.
Home students can apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help with their living costs.
In November 2024, the UK government announced a 3.1% increase in English Maintenance Loans for 2025-26.
How you apply for student finance depends on whether you have studied before and where you’re from or normally live. Find out more on the UK government's website.
The Imperial Bursary is available to all Home undergraduate students with a household income below £70,000 per year.
The amount awarded is based on your household income, with up to £5,000/year available for students from the lowest income households.
It's money which you don't need to pay back, and it's paid on top of any government funding you may also receive.
It is available for each year of your course, as long as your annual household income remains below £70,000.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£43,300 per year
Year abroad
2025 entry
15% of the fee for that year
Year in industry
2025 entry
20% of the fee for that year
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
You might need to budget for additional costs related to your course that aren't covered by your tuition fees – like field trips, books and protective clothing.
Our extra costs page outlines the additional costs related to courses in each of our departments. It's not an exhaustive list and any additional costs you could incur will be determined by the course and modules you choose.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
94% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in work or further study*
- 94% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in work or further study*
- 6%
83% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 83% Of Imperial Life Sciences graduates in highly skilled work or further study*
- 17%
*2021-22 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2024
Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for a life sciences career.
You’ll be highly sought after for roles in the pharmaceuticals industry, biotechnology, biomedical science, food technology and agrisciences.
Pest, disease and environmental management is another potential career path open to you.
Previous graduates have also advanced to roles with laboratories involved in medical research and public health, as well as the education sector and the media.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 5398
- Email: lifesciences.admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website
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Request info
Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Course data
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications