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Bioveterinary Science

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Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2024 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2024.

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Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate programme in the sciences.

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Course overview

This three-year programme will provide you with a wide knowledge of biological and veterinary animal sciences, practical techniques and transferable skills for careers allied to veterinary science, scientific research, conservation, animal welfare and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Introduction

You’ll study a broad range of modules including animal anatomy and physiology, veterinary infection biology and control of diseases in animal populations with the opportunity to specialise and carry out your own research project.

We also offer support for making career choices right from the beginning and you will have the opportunity to consider potential career pathways within and outside the field of Bioveterinary Sciences.

You’ll learn and develop those important transferable skills in communication, team working, project management and computing with practical sessions and group work.

What you'll learn

  • Learn about husbandry and welfare of domestic species including appropriate breed choices, behaviour, housing, management, diet and reproduction
  • Understand the biology of important animal infections and how this is being translated into novel disease therapies
  • Assess and describe the comparative pathology, cellular and immunological responses in veterinary diseases in different species
  • Describe the legal and organisational processes in place in the UK and more widely to monitor, survey and control a range of diseases in animal populations
  • Become literate in finding, interpreting, evaluating and managing information
  • Communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences
  • Work independently and collaboratively
  • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Use lab equipment correctly and safely

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Course content

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

Year one

In this first year, you’ll gain an understanding of core concepts of biology as well as the fundamental principles of immunity, infection, and therapy. You will also study how organisms develop and function and learn about ecology and the global environment. You will develop practical skills and participate in field studies, and you will discover how to utilise quantitative skills and study techniques.

COMPULSORY MODULES

  • Biology core concepts, principles, and fundamentals BIOS101
  • Development, function, immunity, infection, and therapeutics BIOS102
  • Introductory Practical Skills for Life Sciences BIOS103
  • From Individuals to Ecosystem BIOS104
  • Study and Communication Skills Tutorials BIOS105
  • Applied Practical Research Skills for Life Sciences BIOS106
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

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. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.

What's available on this course?

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

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/ minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Study as a master's degree

This course is also available as a four year MBiol programme.

View Bioveterinary Science MBiol

Your experience

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.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

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

Careers and employability

As a Life Sciences 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.

Work experience opportunities

Students on our four-year MBiolSci programme have the opportunity to take elective internships abroad at our partner institutions. For example, while at universities in Thailand, students have worked on topics such as coral reef and mangrove ecology, genetics of shrimp development and new drugs for tuberculosis.

Students in their final year of the MBiolSci programme also have the opportunity to take a six-week life sciences related internship as an optional fourth year module which runs during the course of the summer prior to Year Four. Alternatively, students can spend the entire final Year Four in industry or other enterprises. Internships and placements are subject to availability.

You will have the exciting option to undertake a foreign field course in western Uganda which is available when studying a number of our undergraduate degree programmes. The 12-day trip involves study at both the Kibale National Park (10 days) and Queen Elizabeth National Park (two days).

Topics covered whilst in Uganda include tropical forest and savannah ecology, biodiversity patterns, primate behaviour, and ecology, subsistence versus commercial agricultural practices, and ecotourism.

In addition, there is the option of the LIFE399 Life Sciences work-based placement module. LIFE399 is an optional third-year module that runs during the course of the summer prior to Year Three. Students will undertake a placement to assist their personal development and employability and will complete a skills audit, reflective log, and report, based on their experience. The module is worth 15 academic credits.

You can further explore postgraduate opportunities at taught or research level here at Liverpool.

 

4 in 5 life sciences students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.

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 £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £27,200
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..

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 includes the costs associated with placements or internships and the optional field course in Uganda.

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

Additional study 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 includes the costs associated with placements or internships and the optional field course in Uganda.

Students should expect to cover the following costs.

Costs associated with placements/internships

Students in Life Sciences who have chosen international placements/internships will need to pay for their visa (if applicable), travel, accommodation, and meals.

There may also be costs associated with travel to interviews for placements/internships. These will vary, and some other extra costs may also be incurred. If students are spending a full year in industry, their employers may pay transport costs. School and University bursaries may be available to help with the cost of these opportunities.

Students might choose to pay for additional optional vaccinations in addition to the compulsory ones that the School pays for.

Tropical ecology field course
Students who elect to take the optional tropical ecology field course in Uganda are required to make a financial contribution that covers their own costs (travel, meals, visa, accommodation, and entry to national parks). In 2020-21, the student contribution was £1,500. A limited number of funded places are available.

Students might choose to pay for additional optional vaccinations in addition to the compulsory ones that the School pays for.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Entry requirements

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

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

A levels

ABB including Biology and a second science, preferably Chemistry.

Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBB with A in the EPQ.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme.

If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course.

Available foundation years:

T levels

Health and Science (Science pathway) is accepted with an overall grade of Distinction to include B in the core.

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 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
Subject requirements

Biology and a second science, preferably Chemistry, at A level

Also accepted as a second science: Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Psychology, Geology and Applied Science.

For applicants from England, where A levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics have been taken, we will also require a pass in the Practical Endorsement

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

D*DD in Applied Science with a selection of preferred units in Biology and Chemistry, to include Distinction in Units 1 and 5 (Principles and Applications of Science I and II).

For previous BTEC (QCF) qualification:

D*DD in Applied Science with a selection of preferred units in Biology and Chemistry, with at least 120 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

Please note alternative BTEC subjects are not acceptable for this programme.

BTEC Applied Science unit requirements

View the BTEC Applied Science unit requirements.

International Baccalaureate

33 points, including 6 in Higher Level Biology, and 5 in another Higher Level Subject

Irish Leaving Certificate H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

Not accepted without Advanced Highers

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Accepted at grade B as equivalent to a third non-science A level at grade B.
Access 45 Level 3 credits in graded units in a relevant Diploma, including 30 at Distinction and a further 15 with at least Merit. 15 Distinctions are required in each of Biology and Chemistry. GCSE Mathematics and English grade C/4 also required.
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.

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.

English language qualification Requirements
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
Duolingo English Test 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.
International Baccalaureate Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level
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.

Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.

Pre-sessional English

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, with no component below 5.5, for further details.

Contextual offers: reduced grade requirements

Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

Changes to Bioveterinary Science BSc (Hons)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.

5 April 2023: Optional modules updated

Optional module removed:

Year 2 optional module LIFE226