BSc (Hons) in Biology
England, United Kingdom
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
23 Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 18,585 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international full time | UK part time: £4,895 | UK full time: £9,790 | professional placement year full time for UK: £1955 international: £3,717
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
Biology at Bath Spa is deeply practical, with a real-world focus.
You'll explore themes such as ecology, environmental management, microbiology, human pathophysiology, biodiversity, and food analysis. You’ll be able to take advantage of our unique campus with its rich variety of woodland, grassland, and freshwater habitats, which are used extensively in practical work.
This is also an academically rigorous course, designed to keep you up-to-date with the latest advances in the field.
Professional placement year
Overview
This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.
By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.
Year one (Level 4) modules
- Biological Techniques
- Ecology and the Diversity of Life
- Anatomy and Physiology
- The Microbial World
- Introduction to Biochemistry
- Communicating Science
Year two (Level 5) modules
- Biological Systems
- Biology in Society
- Research Skills for Biology
- Conservation Ecology
- Human Pathophysiology and Nutrition
- Food Analysis
- Human Nutrition
- Biology Work Placement
- Environmental Management
- Microbial Applications and Biotech
- Clinical Psychology
- The Marketing Business
- Environment and Education
- Science Journalism and Publishing
- Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
- Dissertation Planning
- Dissertation Publication
- Animal Behaviour
- Plants and People
- Environmental Practice
- Medical Biology
- Nutrition and Exercise Science
- Food Safety
- Epidemiology and Public Health
- Wildlife Photography
- Investigations in Microbiology
- Marine Biology and Conservation
- Learning in Science
- Publishing Industry Project
- Advanced Topics in Psychology
What you'll learn
Overview
The course covers a broad range of fundamental biology topics, from cell biology and genetics to plant, animal, and human biology. In addition to these core topics, you have a wide range of modules to choose from, allowing you to develop a particular theme that interests you.
You’ll develop a broad range of skills, some specific to biology, while others are useful in varied professional environments. The course is real-world focused; you’ll graduate as a professional biologist, prepared to solve a range of problems and keep up-to-date with scientific advances.
Course structure
Year one
We focus on fundamental topics such as cell biology, genetics, anatomy and physiology, evolution, classification, food production, and ecosystems. Associated practical classes give you hands-on experience with these concepts, and optional modules allow you to explore themes – such as biodiversity, microbiology, human biology, food production, nutrition, biochemistry, and science communication – in more detail.
Year two
We'll cover a range of concepts including biological systems and the importance of biology in real life. You'll explore themes such as ecology, environmental management, microbiology, human pathophysiology, biodiversity, and food analysis, allowing you to develop your interests at a higher level. You can also select optional topics in business, education, science journalism, and psychology.
An optional Professional Placement Year between your second and final years allows you to put your knowledge and skills into practice and gain relevant and valuable experience in the workplace.
Year three
Single honors and major students will undertake a dissertation in the final year. This substantial research project enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing, and reporting on a biology topic.
In addition, you may study topics in medical biology, environmental practice, exercise science, animal behavior, food safety, epidemiology, marine biology, plant biology, and wildlife documentary. Themes in business, education, psychology, and science publishing are also available.
How will I be assessed?
Assessments are varied and designed to be appropriate to the particular skills required for each module. Some modules have coursework and examinations, but many are coursework only. The practical nature of our assessments contributes to our high levels of graduate employment.
Types of assessment include scientific papers, posters, oral presentations, interviews, essays, reports, reviews, leaflets, and video presentations. There are also plenty of opportunities to choose the biological theme on which you're assessed, allowing you to have a deeper understanding of aspects of biology that are of interest to you.
Biology graduates have a range of professions including teaching, medical lab assistant, wildlife trust warden, and science technician. Graduates have been employed by companies including NHS, New Zealand Department of Conservation, and RSPB.
How will I be taught?
You’ll be taught using a combination of teaching and learning methods. Interactive lectures provide you with fundamental knowledge, which is enhanced by the practical skills you learn in supporting sessions. Around half of your contact time will be in lectures and half in practical or workshop sessions.
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with a professional placement year. Part time available.