About this course

Intended for adult learners or undergraduates who wish to take up Biology but do not have the appropriate subject background, Biological Sciences offers a foundation year at nearby Carmel College.

Introduction

This is not a programme in itself but acts as a springboard onto other Bioscience degrees. This deferred choice programme means that you have the ﬂexibility and freedom to switch to your chosen degree after completing the foundation year (year zero).

The aim of this programme is to make you an expert in one particular field with the ability to cross discipline boundaries, a highly attractive prospect to employers.

Programme in detail

Year zero comprises introductory modules taught at Carmel College. Carmel College is located in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. The College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement. Years one, two and three will continue at Liverpool following the chosen area of interest through to BSc (Hons) or MBiolSci completion.

Find information about what essential and optional modules you will need to take during your Year Zero at Carmel College to progress to your chosen University of Liverpool degree programme in our guide to progression routes

What you'll learn

Knowledge and understanding of the subject and the ability to evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve problems
Skills that will equip you to investigate research topics and communicate your findings
How to analyse and interpret real-world data and communicate the results clearly and concisely
How to access and critically evaluate scientific literature in the area of biological sciences

Routes

Anatomy and Human Biology BSc (Hons)
Biochemistry BSc (Hons)
Biological Sciences BSc (Hons)
Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)
Bioveterinary Science BSc (Hons)
Marine Biology BSc (Hons)
Marine Biology with Oceanography BSc (Hons)
Microbiology and Infection BSc (Hons)
Pharmacology BSc (Hons)
Zoology BSc (Hons)

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year zero

You will be based at Carmel College in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. Carmel College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement. The programme, which is moderated by University staff, comprises introductory modules in biology, applications of biology and mathematics, plus either chemistry or geography. Further information about progression subjects can be found on the Carmel website.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

You will experience a range of learning environments during your studies at Liverpool. These will include student-centred activities as well as lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals, dissection classes, fieldwork, data handling sessions and computer workshops. Some of these activities will be performed individually, such as personal research projects, and others in small tutorial or project groups, in addition to formal lectures and workshops. You will have research staff as well as your own academic adviser for individual tuition on our acclaimed tutorial programme.

How you're assessed

As well as factual knowledge and understanding, biologists need practical and organisational skills, and an ability to work both alone and with other people. We record development of these abilities through continuous assessment during each semester and by final examination.

Liverpool Hallmarks

We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

Digital fluency
Confidence
Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

Research-connected teaching
Active learning
Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

Learn Chinese
Study in a bustling world heritage city
Improve employment prospects
Study Chinese culture
30 minutes from Shanghai
Learn new skills

Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?

Australia
Canada
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
USA

More about taking a year abroad

Your experience

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.

An exciting place for postgraduate study

Programmes taught by internationally-renowned scientists and clinicians
Research-connected education covering the full life science spectrum from biochemistry to zoology
Access to world-class facilities
Provide specialist training with taught and research components
Options for intercalating students
Vibrant postgraduate community.

Chat with our students

Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

Match with an ambassador

Careers and employability

As a Biosciences graduate from the University of Liverpool, you will have an excellent set of career options ahead of you.

Typical types of roles/routes our graduates have gone on include:

Postgraduate study: (MBiolSci, MSc, MRes, MPhil or PhD)
Public sector – research institutes, government departments, the National Health Service, forensic science and the Environment Agency.
Commercial sectors – pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, water and agriculture industries.
Journalists and information/liaison officers – by developments in molecular biology and biotechnology.
Teaching profession by taking a postgraduate qualification (PGCE).
Routes to postgraduate Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.

Recent employers and sectors:

Pharmaceutical sector: Eli-Lilly, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, NHS, Red X Pharma;
Tourism/Conservation sector: Blue Planet Aquarium, Chester Zoo, RSPCA;
Government/Legal sector: Crown Prosecution Service, The Environment Agency, Public Health England, Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Security and International Development;
Media/Entertainment Sector: BBC;
Corporate and Utilities sector: United Utilities, Vodafone, Unilever.

4 in 5 biosciences students at the University of Liverpool find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

(Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.)

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £9,535
Foundation year fee - £7,500
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £29,100

Following the foundation years, standard course fees apply.

The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.

You cannot apply for the foundation programme if you require a visa to study in the UK. However, some UK-based international students may be eligible to apply. If you are eligible to apply, your fee status assessment will determine if you pay home or international fees.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Nolan Scholarships

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

Rigby Enterprise Award

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification	Details
A levels	CDD A typical offer is likely to be CDD at A level, in related subjects. Students with alternative A level combinations are welcome to apply but should expect to be made higher offers. For further information, visit www.carmel.ac.uk, email degree@carmel.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1744 452 213. Applicants over 21 can be considered on GCSEs alone.
T levels	T levels considered in a relevant subject and specialism. Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.
GCSE	All applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Mathematics and two Sciences, including Biology. Core and Additional Science/Dual Science acceptable as the two Sciences.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced	Considered.
International qualifications	Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification	Details
IELTS	6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT	88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test	125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100. For academic year 2025/26 only, we will also accept the production, literacy, comprehension and conversation score set: 120 overall, with no component below 95.
Pearson PTE Academic	61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic	70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500	Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990	Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511	0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991	0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced	176 overall, with no paper below 162

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Pre-sessional English in detail

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score	Pre-sessional English course length	On campus or online
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5	6 weeks	On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5	10 weeks	On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0	12 weeks	On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5	20 weeks	On campus
5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5	30 weeks	On campus
4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0	40 weeks	On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.

Alternative entry requirements

If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
Applications from mature students are welcome.

Got a question?

Use our handy chatbot for your Clearing enquiries.

Last updated 30 June 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions

Clearing 2025

Biological Sciences (with a Foundation Year)