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Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Biological Sciences course at Durham University.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,A,A
Must include two science subjects, one of which must be Biology or Chemistry or Human Biology. Psychology, Maths and Geography are all considered sciences for the purposes of admissions. Although PE is accepted as a third A-level, it is not a science for the purpose of admissions Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
Most popular A-levels studied
See who's studying at Durham University. These students are taking Biological Sciences or another course from the same subject area.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Biology | A |
| Chemistry | A |
| Mathematics | A |
| Geography | A |
| Psychology | A* |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: C103
Here's what Durham University says about its Biological Sciences course.
Course details With science and its challenges making today’s global headlines, studying this research-led modular degree will help you develop the skills you’ll need to pursue a career in the science sector and beyond. The curriculum links academic theory with practical experience, with themed routes covering Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Plant Science, Genetics, and Ecology and Environmental Science. Biosciences explores many of the fundamentally important questions facing humankind – finding the answers will shape the future of life on Earth.
Why Durham University? We are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology. Our equipment includes electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy, transgenic studies, genomics, DNA analysis and proteomics, bioinformatics, remote sensing, ecological field sampling and computer modelling. Teaching and research in the Department covers the breadth of the biological sciences, and often collaborate on projects with other disciplines such as the physical sciences. Our research-led approach to teaching has been designed to immerse you in a mix of theoretical and practical learning from day one, equipping you with a wide range of analytical and practical skills that will prepare you to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Rankings 3rd in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 5th in the Guardian University Guide 2026 5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026 Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026
Career Opportunities Students gain valuable transferable skills to prepare them for future challenges, enhancing personal development and improving their employment prospects. These skills can be applied to roles across a range of sectors preparing students to be active thinkers and future leaders. Graduates have gone on to roles in teaching, the health sector, industrial R&D and biotechnology, management, accountancy, conservation, ecological and environmental services, broadcast and print science journalism, environmental and biological patent law, the pharmaceutical industry, the civil service, and the armed services.
Source: Durham University
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
Biological Sciences
Location
Durham City | Durham
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Biology
Start date
28 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
The modules you will study
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
How you will be assessed
Modules are assessed via a combination of examinations as well as coursework including essays, laboratory reports, case studies, oral presentations and posters.
Literature reviews (dissertation), project reports and laboratory workshop/fieldwork reports are an important part of this degree.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/
Durham University student reviews
Showing 106 reviews
Graduate
1 year ago
The SU building is uninviting. The SU didnu2019t seem to run many events or fun activities. It seemed to just exist.
Graduate
1 year ago
Itu2019s good if youu2019re able to participate in college life. But, it can be quite cliquey and as a non-British student it can be isolating.
Graduate
1 year ago
Accommodation is way too expensive for what and where it is. Durham is a small place with not much to do. Itu2019s beautiful and can be lovely, but rent prices are clearly inflated for student homes and the atmosphere and access to amenities does not warrant the prices.
Graduate
1 year ago
All around I think Durham does support rather well. Academic support especially - the process of getting extensions was smooth.
Graduate
1 year ago
The available facilities are great. But, there are very limited places to eat on campus and those available are often not very clean. All the ones I went to were also far more expensive than my friendsu2019 at other universities cafes and refectories.
Graduate
1 year ago
The teaching was good but I think it sacrificed giving space and time to learn the basics that would later be assessed in national exams like the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam in favour of delving deep into academic and theoretical aspects of law. For someone choosing to go into academia itu2019s t...
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Durham University
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from Durham University students who took the Biological Sciences course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
93%
high
Teaching on my course
93%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
87%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
99%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
93%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
94%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
91%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
94%
high
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
86%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
91%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
82%
med
Assessment and feedback
85%
high
Assessment and feedback
85%
high
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
84%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
89%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
78%
high
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
94%
high
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
79%
med
Academic support
95%
high
Academic support
95%
high
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
97%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
94%
high
Organisation and management
92%
high
Organisation and management
92%
high
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
94%
high
How well organised is your course?
91%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
92%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
87%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
93%
med
Student voice
83%
high
Student voice
83%
high
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
74%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
87%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
88%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
38%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
93%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
90%
high
Student information
See who's studying at Durham University. These students are taking Biological Sciences or another course from the same subject area.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Biological Sciences at Durham University.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from Durham University graduates who took Biological Sciences - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£27.4k
First year after graduation
£35.4k
Third year after graduation
£42k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Biological Sciences.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about Durham University on The Student Room.
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Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
