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Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology) MBiolSci

4-5 years

The relationship between the subcellular realm and an organism is a delicate and fragile one: tiny changes can have a huge impact which may manifest as disease or system malfunctions. Effective drug treatment requires an understanding of the underlying, normal function of systems in living organisms. On the MBiolSci, you will hone your research and laboratory skills and extend your medically specialised BSc programme into a fourth year of masters level study.

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Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology) MBiolSci, 4-5 years

The relationship between the subcellular realm and an organism is a delicate and fragile one: tiny changes can have a huge impact which may manifest as disease or system malfunctions. Effective drug treatment requires an understanding of the underlying, normal function of systems in living organisms. On the MBiolSci, you will hone your research and laboratory skills and extend your medically specialised BSc programme into a fourth year of masters level study.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer ABB

UCAS code B1B3

International fee £24,500

Institute code L34

School of Biological Sciences website

Course description

Course description

Physiology is the study of how organisms work from the subcellular level up to the whole animal. In disease, pathophysiological mechanisms interfere with the function of an organism’s systems. Pharmacology is the study of drug design, drug targets and drug therapies. On this course you will learn how drugs interact with cells and tissues to control disease. This is a rapidly developing field with wide-ranging applications, particularly for medical, plant and veterinary science, where the study of disease requires a good understanding of both the underlying physiology and the relevant pharmacology. On this course you will pay particular attention to cellular communication, neuroscience and cardiovascular science.

Physiologists and pharmacologists study these processes in all types of organisms and discover how errors in them can cause disease, and they help discover the impact of microbes across the biological sciences. You will also gain a broad understanding of fundamental biological processes, while developing analytical skills and gaining experience in handling complex information. By studying microbiology in the context of a broad programme of options in other biological sciences, you will be able to apply your knowledge across the boundaries of traditional disciplines and gain a valuable and powerful asset in scientific environments and in many other walks of life.

The first three years of this course are identical to the Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology) BSc, including the option to spend a Year in Industry or a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3. Your fourth year then lets you focus on refining your research and lab skills - while also putting into practice your employability skills - by conducting a research project.

The analytical and critical skills you acquire by studying an MBiolSci in Biological Sciences are particularly valued by PhD supervisors, researchers and employers in non-scientific fields.

What's the difference?

At the University of Leicester, we offer seven Biological Science subjects and four Medical Bioscience subjects, all as BSc (three years) and most as MBiolSci (four years), plus a Foundation Year option, giving you an impressive range of different courses to choose from.

  • Biological Science covers major aspects of biology and molecular science across a wide range of organisms from bacteria and fungi to humans and plants. All 14 courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1.
  • Medical Science allows you to select specialist modules that focus more closely on the application of biological principles to medicine. All eight courses share a common first year so you can change to a different degree before the end of Year 1.

It is possible to switch between a Biological Science course and a Medical Bioscience course during the first half of your first year, but after that the two fields diverge.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A-levels: ABB, including at least two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. We may consider two AS-levels in place of one A-level. General Studies not accepted.
  • EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ grade B. A-level subjects to include two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. General Studies not accepted.
  • Level 3 Core Maths with A-levels: BBB + Level 3 Core Maths grade B (if Maths not taken as a full A or AS level). A-level subjects to include two relevant science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology. General Studies not accepted.
  • GCSE: At least Grade 4/C in both English Language and Maths (if not held at A2/AS-level).
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass Science diploma with 45 credits at level three, 30 of which must be at distinction.
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points to include grade 6 and 5 in at least two relevant HL science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Psychology. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in SL Maths or 3 at HL and grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language and Maths at GCSE.
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Applied Science Diploma with D*DD plus five GCSEs at B/5 or above including two relevant sciences.
  • T Levels: Distinction in Science (with an Occupational Specialism in Laboratory technician).

Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.

If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.

Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

Contextual offers

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Selection Process

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School of Biological Sciences.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in 2025

Tuition fees for 2025/26 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2024/25 were:

  • £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,385 for that year
  • Year in Industry: your fee will be 15% of the full-time tuition fee that applies in that year

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Additional costs

  • The third year option module Microbial Biotechnology includes a field trip. The cost of this field trip is included in your tuition fee.
  • You will be travelling between the University and hospitals in Leicester. The cost of a Hospital Hopper bus card is included in your tuition fee.
  • The third year option module Behavioural Ecology includes an optional field trip. The cost of this field trip is £450 and is not included in your tuition fee.

International Students

Starting in 2025

  • £24,500 per year
  • Year Abroad: £6,125, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
  • Year in Industry: £3,675, which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Additional costs

  • The third year option module Microbial Biotechnology includes a field trip. The cost of this field trip is included in your tuition fee.
  • You will be travelling between the University and hospitals in Leicester. The cost of a Hospital Hopper bus card is included in your tuition fee.
  • The third year option module Behavioural Ecology includes an optional field trip. The cost of this field trip is £450 and is not included in your tuition fee.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

Our 'Careers After Biological Sciences' series of lectures features Leicester graduates giving insights into their career experiences and good advice for finding jobs.

In the summer vacation between Years 2 and 3, a range of internal research placements are available in research labs, giving you the chance to develop your scientific skills.

We run bespoke bioscience careers events in the summer term each year, based on what our students tell us about their career intentions.

As a student in the School of Biological Sciences, you are welcome to attend seminars in any department, presented by national and international experts in the biosciences. This allows you to enhance your knowledge and get useful insights into current topics.

Graduate destinations

Graduates from our Biological Sciences courses have gone on to jobs in:

  • Future Science Group
  • Illumina
  • Cambridge LTD
  • Ebury
  • Allied Healthcare
  • Kings College Hospital
  • Lonza Biologics
  • RBS

Careers and Employability Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.

Related courses

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Course structure

Year 1

Year 1

In your first year of study, you'll take classes with students from different subjects within Biological Sciences. You'll study modules that cover a wide range of topics, including biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, physiology and zoology. This knowledge will introduce the fundamental principles of Biology, which will help you find the area you’re interested in, so you can focus on it in your second year.

Modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2

Year 2

Core modules

Option modules

Overall, you must choose at least one of those modules marked *.

Choose one option module from:

Then choose two option modules from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

If you want to, you can spend your third or fourth year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years.

Year Abroad

We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 or between Years 3 and 4 of your degree.

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.

Please note

  • A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
  • You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
  • Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2/3.
  • Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.

Year in Industry

An industrial placement is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of laboratory work - and will normally be a paid position, more than offsetting the additional cost of the extra year.

Industrial placements are limited and are awarded through a competitive selection process, based on your performance during the course so far. Previous students have worked for pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Oxford Biomedica and GlaxoSmithKline, and in research institutions such as the Animal Health Institute and Kew Gardens.

A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 3

Year 3

Your penultimate year will build on your knowledge and skills, providing a focus on areas aligned with your speciality. During this year, you will also have the opportunity to undertake your own research project. 

Core modules

Option modules

Overall, from the two lists of option modules below, you must choose at least two modules from those marked *.

Choose one option module from:

Then choose one pair of option modules from:

Finally, choose two option modules from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year

Final Year

In your final year, you will conduct a research project.

Core modules

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

We are proud of our consistently excellent scores in the National Student Survey (NSS). In the 2019 NSS 96% of our students were satisfied with their course. Written feedback from the NSS survey stresses the approachability of the staff, the quality of the teaching support, and the opportunities provided by our final-year research projects.

With a high staff to student ratio, we ensure that every student gets the support and encouragement needed to achieve their best work.

Our standard of teaching and support is reflected in our NSS 2024 results. We scored 90% and above in subjects aligned to Biological Sciences for questions regarding teaching, approachability of staff and introducing new subjects (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data). View the NSS questions all students were asked for individual themes.

Teaching and learning

Most of your teaching will be delivered through lectures. Individual lecture styles vary considerably, depending on the topic – and the lecturer! In tutorials, a small group of students meets with a member of staff for an hour to discuss and explore topics, or solve problems as a group. Some tutorials will require you to research a particular topic beforehand.

All of our Biological Sciences courses are practical degrees with strong emphasis on lab work and fieldwork.

Your first year exams will mostly be multiple choice and short answer papers, with longer essay-style questions in your second and final year exams. Coursework may include practical lab work, a lab write-up or report, a practical skills test, essays, online multiple choice assessments, a data handling exercise, solo or group presentations, a field journal or critical evaluation of a scientific paper. At the end of each semester in Years 1 and 2 you will be able to judge your overall performance, enabling you to closely monitor your progress and, if necessary, adjust your work pattern.

A significant part of your final years will be spent on an individual research study which will form the basis of your dissertation.

You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether they are academic, financial, housing, career or social issues. You will also have access to the University's student welfare services.

Independent learning

In addition to attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Academic support

Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:

  • study and exam skills
  • academic writing
  • presentations
  • dissertations
  • numerical data skills
  • referencing sources

Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology) Qualification MBiolSci Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code B1B3 Availability How to apply
Course Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology) with a Year Abroad Qualification MBiolSci Duration 5 years full-time UCAS Code B1B3 Availability How to apply
Course Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology) with a Year in Industry Qualification MBiolSci Duration 5 years full-time UCAS Code B1B3 Availability How to apply

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