Whether your interests lie in cell, molecular and laboratory biology; genetics, evolution and bioinformatics; plants, microbes and biotechnology; or whole organisms, environments, and field skills, on this course you’ll learn to evaluate aspects of all life on earth, including the ways it is under threat.
You’ll discover how a variety of living organisms evolve, their physiology, how they function within their environments – and how these environments can be sustained.
Find out more about our BSc Biology degree, a varied course that ranges from the molecular, to whole organisms and entire ecosystems.
Why ARU?
Cover all life on earth, from microorganisms to plants, animals and humans, and from genes to whole ecosystems.
Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
Build a strong foundation in laboratory, data science, bioinformatic, and field skills.
Tailor your degree to your ambitions and interests through optional modules, all underpinned by sustainability.
Study in Cambridge, the centre of new and emerging technologies in life sciences.
Gain experience on internships with our research-active staff, or apply for work placements.
Alongside a comprehensive knowledge of life on earth, on this course you’ll gain practical laboratory, data science, bioinformatic and field skills.
You’ll also develop crucial skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
These skills will equip you to work in the broad field of science. And we'll help you build experience through field trips, Live Briefs, and connections with local employers who may be able to offer placements.
This course offers a range of potential graduate careers, across many areas of science, such as:
Bioscience, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries
Bioinformatics
Commerce (sales and marketing) related to healthcare, agricultural, environmental sustainability products
Data analysis/science
Education: university, college and school teaching
Environmental and conservation projects
Quality control, food production, food industry and food safety
Government departments and the civil service
Government or charity-funded research laboratories and institutes
Research and development for agri-environment industries
We’re here to help you develop your CV and find that all-important role after graduation. Our Employability Service offers tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, help to complete job applications, and much more. You’ll have 24/7 access to an online Careers Centre too, which is packed with useful resources.
The support continues after you graduate, with lifelong access to our Alumni Career Centre.
Discover how life works. From microbes to ecosystems, every lecture and practical brings new insights into the world around us.
Dr Max Carter-Brown, Lecturer
You’ll start the course by getting to grips with the fundamentals of cells, molecules, and organisms; genetics and evolution; ecology and sustainability; and mathematics and statistics for scientists.
In Year 2, the focus is on topics and skills you’d like to specialise in, with a range of optional modules. You'll also continue to refine your broader knowledge and skills.
In your final year, you’ll examine your chosen areas through the lens of sustainability, and complete a major independent research project to pull together everything you’ve learned.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
Year 1
Principles of Biology (30 credits)
Mathematics for the Biosciences (15 credits)
General Microbiology (15 credits)
Animal Physiology and Behaviour (30 credits)
Introduction to Ecology and Conservation (30 credits)
Continuing Professional Development
Into ARU
Year 2
Principles of Genetics (15 credits)
Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Preparation for Research (15 credits)
Continuing Professional Development
Vertebrate Biology (15 credits) *
Invertebrate Biology (15 credits) *
Plants and Microbial Sciences (15 credits) *
Laboratory Techniques in DNA Manipulation (15 credits) *
Laboratory Techniques for Bioinformatics (15 credits) *
Field Skills in Biology (15 credits) *
Animal Health and Disease (15 credits) *
GIS and Spatial Ecology (15 credits) *
Proteomics and Molecular Structures (15 credits) *
Year 3
Undergraduate Project (30 credits)
Developmental Biology and Genetics (15 credits)
Policy, Globalisation, and Economics of Sustainability (15 credits)
Biogeography (15 credits) *
Comparative Ecophysiology (15 credits) *
Human-Animal Interactions (15 credits) *
Microbial Pathogenicity (15 credits) *
Molecular Cell Biology (15 credits) *
Current Advances in Bioinformatics (15 credits) *
Current Advances in Plant and Microbial Sciences (15 credits) *
Current Advances in Evolution and Biodiversity (15 credits) *
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
A foundation year prepares you for the rest of your course, and focuses on general skills such as researching and referencing, numeracy and ICT, and communication. We'll also start to look at some more subject-specific topics.
Your placement year is a chance to put everything you’ve learnt in Years 1 and 2 into practice. Spend typically 9-12 months working for an organisation, developing your skills and gaining valuable work experience. Our Placements Team is here to help you secure a placement.
Throughout the course, we’ll use a range of assessment methods to measure your progress. Besides exams, these include essays, practical reports, computer-based assessments, presentations, debates, classroom- or laboratory-based tests, and reviews of scientific papers.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
As a Biology student at ARU, you’ll use state-of-the-art facilities.
These include a 200-station biosciences laboratory in our £45m Science Centre, and award-winning IT and library facilities.
Entry requirements
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Main
5 GCSEs at grade D, or grade 3, or above and evidence of two years post-GCSE study at Level 3.
If you have achieved at least grade E in one A level, or equivalent, you are exempt from the two years post-GCSE study requirement, but you still must meet the GCSE requirements.
Applicants who do not meet the two years post GCSE study at level 3 may be considered based on their satisfactory employment history, which must be a minimum of two years full time employment supported by employer evidence and deemed appropriate by the University for meeting the course of study applied for.
If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 5.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
You may have the opportunity to join a number of optional field trips, depending on availability. These are self-funded.
This course includes an optional placement year. The placement year fee is:
£1,500 (2025-26)
£1,700 (2026-27)
You will be responsible for covering the cost of travelling to your placement during your placement year. This cost could vary significantly depending on where your placement is located, where you live during your course and how you travel.
Living at university
We understand that affordability is an important issue when you’re thinking about studying at university.
The overall cost of university can vary depending on where you’re studying and which course you’re taking.
Costs may also be lower if you're living at home. However, some of the main costs you’ll want to think about include:
accommodation
bills
internet, mobile phone and calls
travel
food and drink
socialising and going out
study materials.
Most full-time UK students can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help cover living costs. More about maintenance loans.
Our Money Advice Service is on hand if you’d like to chat about living costs, budgets and managing your money. You can also find out more about student finance at one of our Open Days.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, which provide extra financial support while you’re at university.
If you're eligible for a scholarship, you'll generally receive it automatically – there's no need to apply.
Our campus employment bureau, ARU Temps, can help you find part-time work that fits around your studies. It's a great chance to enhance your CV and boost your income while you study.
Dr Max Carter-Brown
Dr Ben Gregson
Dr Bas Boots
Dr Harisree Paramel Nair
Dr Caray A Walker
Dr Joseph J Bailey