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Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)

Biology

University of Sussex

(3.8)
138 reviews

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Biology course at University of Sussex.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

A,A,B

A-levels must include at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Marine Science, Mathematics, Physics or Sports Science. You will also normally need to pass the separate science practical assessment in at least one of the science subjects. If you are not able to take the science practical assessment, applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics and two Science subjects with grade 5 in each (or grade B).

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,535 per year
Scotland£9,535 per year
Wales£9,535 per year
Northern Ireland£9,535 per year
Channel Islands£9,535 per year
Republic of Ireland£9,535 per year
EU£27,300 per year
International£27,300 per year

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: C101

Here's what University of Sussex says about its Biology course.

94% of our research overall in Biological Sciences was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

About the course

How could we cure cancer? How can we end the despair of Alzheimer’s? How can we protect rare species from extinction, or prevent epidemics from spreading globally?

This course sets you up to understand new discoveries. You’ll develop critical thinking, scientific teamwork and technical communication skills, alongside a solid grounding in biology. You can choose to focus on areas such as cell and molecular biology, evolution and ecology, or neuroscience and behaviour.

From Year 1, you’ll get hands-on practical experience in laboratories and in the field. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the beautiful surroundings of the South Downs National Park. Further afield, we offer inspiring field trips with destinations such as:

  • Wales

  • Ecuador

  • Portugal

  • Southern Africa

  • the Red Sea.

At Sussex, our research has real-world impact. You’ll learn from experts tackling some of society’s biggest issues – from research into cancer treatments to the declining bee population. In your third year, you could have the opportunity to join a lecturer’s research lab and carry out your own project. In the School of Life Sciences, you’ll be supported by a friendly scientific community.

When you graduate, you’ll have experience of conducting experiments, statistical data analysis, and drawing conclusions from scientific evidence. This – combined with your data-handling and analytical skills – means you’re prepared for a career inside and outside of science. Biology is a route to many careers, in fields including:

  • the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries

  • healthcare

  • sustainability

  • scientific writing and communication.

And in addition, in your integrated Masters year, you gain a strong theoretical and practical foundation for a career in – or related to – research. You’ll spend a semester working on an individual research project in one of our Biology research teams. In this year, you’ll develop advanced skills in technical, analytical and scientific communication skills.

MSci or BSc?

We also offer this course as a three-year BSc.

Location

Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.

About the University of Sussex

Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

Source: University of Sussex

Course details

Qualification

Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)

Department

Neuroscience

Location

Main Site | Brighton

Duration

4 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Biology

Start date

September 2026

Application deadline

14 January 2026

The modules you will study

See the modules you will study by year by going to the ‘visit our course page’ link at the bottom of the page.

University of Sussex reviews

(3.8)
Based on 138 reviews from University of Sussex's students and alumni
5 star
26%
4 star
38%
3 star
27%
2 star
6%
1 star
4%
All reviews

Showing 120 reviews

1st year student

Two stars: Could be better

(2)

1 year ago

1st year student

Not really a social being

(3)

1 year ago

1st year student

Accommodation is quite expensive in this region and the need for a guarantor adds another expense.

(3)

1 year ago

1st year student

As an international student, i have had a pleasant experience with the staff members especially with the academic advisor team

(4)

1 year ago

1st year student

Ancient and not really modern

(2)

1 year ago

1st year student

The modules on my course have been carefully chosen to reflect the current movement and actualities within the financial industry

(3)

1 year ago

National Student Survey (NSS) scores

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 University of Sussex students who took the Biology course - or another course in the same subject area.

Biology (non-specific)

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

83%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

100%

high

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

83%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

93%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

90%

med

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

93%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

87%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

90%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

67%

low

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

60%

low

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

73%

low

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

67%

med

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

77%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

80%

med

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

87%

med

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

87%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

90%

high

How well organised is your course?

93%

high

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

85%

med

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

93%

med

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

90%

med

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

50%

low

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

97%

high

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

83%

med

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

75%

med

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?

79%

med

Student information

See who's studying at University of Sussex. These students are taking Biology or another course from the same subject area.

Biology
Mode of study
Full-time100%
Gender ratio
Female62%Male38%
Where students come from
International18%UK82%
Student performance
2:1 or above61%
Number of students100
Most popular A-levels studied
SubjectGrade
BiologyA
ChemistryC
MathematicsB
EconomicsB
PsychologyB
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

Facts and figures about University of Sussex graduates who took Biology - or another course in the same subject area.

Biology (non-specific)

Graduate statistics

55%

In a job where degree was essential or beneficial

80%

In work, study or other activity

65%

Say it fits with future plans

80%

Are utilising studies

Top job areas

30%

Business and public service associate professionals

20%

Elementary occupations

15%

Teaching Professionals

5%

Administrative occupations

Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates

Earnings after graduation

Earnings from University of Sussex graduates who took Biology - or another course in the same subject area.

Biosciences

Earnings

£21.5k

First year after graduation

£25.4k

Third year after graduation

£31k

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 Biology.

Source: LEO

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

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