How to Apply to Life Sciences at Loughborough University: Biological Sciences, Human Biology and Sport and Exercise Science BSc Degrees, With No Undergraduate Medicine Course in the A-Z, with Entry Routes and Prerequisites for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

In Loughborough University's undergraduate A-Z, the life science degrees are Biological Sciences, Human Biology and Sport and Exercise Science. The list has no undergraduate medicine (MBBS/MD), nursing, pharmacy, biochemistry or neuroscience degree. The Biological Sciences and Human Biology pages put them in the “Biosciences” subject area, and the Human Biology and sport science pages refer to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. You apply through UCAS directly to a named course. This guide sets out the main points for September 2027 entry for UK applicants, international applicants (including those from China) and applicants wanting to join year two. It does not use the UCAS website or portal; check UCAS before you submit.

1. Degrees and variants

UCAS codes are for the three-year course without, then with, a placement year:

• Biological Sciences BSc (Hons): C102 / C100. The university says it develops understanding of the mechanisms underlying human life and health, from genetics, biochemistry and cell biology to physiology, human evolution and regenerative medicine; you tailor your studies with options, complete a final project of your choice and work in specialist laboratories including the £17 million STEMLab. The programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
• Human Biology BSc (Hons): B150 / B151. The university says it studies the structure and function of the human body, how the species evolved, how people change over a lifespan and adapt to stressors, and how biology and culture influence disease risk; staff expertise covers human population biology, global health, physical activity and public health, nutrition and human genetics. It is also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
• Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons): CX63 / C600. The university says you study physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, motor control and psychology, and the physiological, biomechanical and psychological influences on performance; an optional placement year is available and the Coach and Volunteer Academy lets you work alongside elite athletes on campus. Professional accreditation is not given on the pages used for this guide.
• Related degrees mentioned only briefly: Sport Science, Coaching and Physical Education BSc; Psychology of Sport and Exercise BSc; Psychology BSc; Medicinal Chemistry (BSc / MChem); Natural Sciences (BSc / MSci); Biomedical Engineering (BEng / MEng, an engineering degree); and joint degrees such as Mathematics and Sport Science, Geography and Sport Science and English and Sport Science.
• Medicine: the A-Z has no undergraduate medicine (MBBS/MD) course and no nursing, pharmacy or pre-medicine degree; students aiming for medicine need to look at other universities.
• Whether these courses have foundation-year versions was not checked on the pages used for this guide; check the website.

2. How admission works and the course structure

• You apply to a named course: each of the three degrees has its own UCAS code, and the course pages do not describe a general first year followed by a choice. Whether you can move between degrees after enrolling is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the school.
• Biological Sciences and Human Biology have a similar structure. The compulsory modules listed include Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Human Evolution and Adaptation, Laboratory Skills I and II, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Academic Skills and Data Description, Research Methods: Data Analysis, Genomics and Growth, Development and Ageing; Biological Sciences also lists Cellular Signalling and Transport; the final year includes a project. Options include Public and Global Health, Regenerative Medicine, Cancer Biology, Applied Genomics, Human Performance at Environmental Extremes, Sport and Exercise Nutrition and exercise physiology modules; Human Biology adds Psychology and Health and Infectious Diseases in Humans, and Biological Sciences adds Pharmaceutical and Clinical Science. The pages note that modules are examples and reviewed each year.
• Sport and Exercise Science structure: compulsory modules include Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Sport Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Research Methods: Data Analysis, Physical Activity and Health and Integrated, Professional and Applied Skills in Sport and Exercise Science; other modules include Human Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, Physiology of Exercise and Training, Motor Control and Motor Learning and Expert Performance in Sport; the final year has a project.
• Selection: the Biological Sciences page says applicants are selected on their UCAS application and an interview may be required in exceptional cases; the Human Biology page says applicants are usually selected on their UCAS application alone, with an interview in exceptional cases; the Sport and Exercise Science page says applicants are usually selected on their UCAS application alone. Applicants who receive an offer are invited to visit the department. The sport science page adds that many courses receive a large number of applications and not every applicant predicted to meet the typical offer will receive one.
• Placement and overseas year: the university says all undergraduate courses in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences offer a placement year (45 weeks, normally starting between July and September), with an additional Diploma in Professional Studies; you can instead spend a year at a partner university overseas and gain a Diploma in International Studies. You secure the placement yourself, supported by school placement officers and Careers Network. Employers named include GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and the Institute of Cancer Research. The pages do not say whether placements are restricted for international students.
• Facilities: students use the STEMLab and dedicated anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology laboratories, and benefit from research in the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine and the Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. Clinical placement arrangements are not given on the pages used.
• AP or IB credit for required courses and a maths placement test: not given on the pages used for this guide.

3. Prerequisites (typical offers, September 2027 entry)

• Biological Sciences BSc: A-level AAB including Biology or Human Biology and one of Chemistry, Physics, Geography, Geology, Maths, Psychology, Environmental Science or PE; IB 35 points (6,6,5 at HL) including HL Biology and one other science or Maths at HL; BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science DDD with a Distinction in Unit 1, or a National Diploma at DD plus an A-level at B, among other combinations; GCSE Maths and English Language at 4/C; contextual offer BBB with the same subject requirements.
• Human Biology BSc: A-level AAB including Biology or Human Biology (Chemistry, Physics, Geography or Environmental Science may be considered case by case if A-level Biology was not studied); IB 35 points (6,6,5 at HL) with 5 in HL Biology; BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Forensic Science DDD with a Distinction in Unit 1; GCSE Maths and English Language at 4/C; contextual offer BBB including Biology or Human Biology.
• Sport and Exercise Science BSc: A-level A*AA to AAA including two of Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology or Physical Education (sport or sport science subjects are not accepted alongside A-level PE); IB 38 to 37 points (7,6,6 to 6,6,6 at HL) with two of the listed subjects at HL; at least five GCSEs at 9–6 with grade 6/B in Maths, English Language and a science (no flexibility on Maths and science; a grade 5 in English Language can be considered with a 6 in English Literature); contextual offer AAB including two listed subjects. BTEC combinations are more varied; see the course page.
• Higher English requirement: the university's page on undergraduate courses needing a higher level of English lists Sport and Exercise Science, although the IELTS figure in the table on that page is still 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element; Biological Sciences and Human Biology are not on the list. Check the figure in your offer.

UK applicants

• Route: apply through UCAS directly to a named course; each course and length of study has its own UCAS code. This guide does not use the UCAS website or portal. The application fee, personal statement and reference rules are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the UCAS website.
• General entry requirements page: applicants are normally expected to have at least three A-levels; the IB needs the full Diploma with at least three subjects at Higher Level, and both Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation can meet the maths requirement; Scottish applicants usually need at least two Advanced Highers plus Highers in three other subjects; the Irish Leaving Certificate needs at least five Higher Level passes; the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Diploma counts as one A-level alongside two A-levels; the A-level Science Practical Endorsement is not widely included in offer conditions but is expected to be passed; the EPQ is generally not part of offer conditions but may be used in further consideration after results.
• BTEC, T Levels, Access to HE: BTEC and Cambridge Technical combinations are given on each course page; T Levels are accepted for only some courses; the Access to HE Diploma is considered case by case (60 credits, 45 at Level 3). Core Maths cannot replace A-level Maths where it is required.
• GCSE: the university normally expects grade 4/C in English Language and, for most courses, grade 4/C in Mathematics; some courses ask for more, as set out for each subject below.
• Access Loughborough Contextual Offer: lower offers for applicants who may face barriers to university study; the grades are given for each subject below, and the eligibility criteria are on the university's contextual admissions page.
• Interview: the course pages say applicants are usually selected on their UCAS application alone; an interview may be needed in exceptional cases.
• Fees: the course pages give UK students £10,050 a year for 2027/28, in line with the UK government fee cap and subject to change; a placement year is about 20% of the full-time fee. The pages give two fee levels, UK and International, and do not separate England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. How fee status is decided is not given on the pages used for this guide; check the university's fee status page.

International applicants

• Route: UCAS, or progression from the ONCAMPUS Loughborough foundation programme (which has a Life Sciences pathway).
• English language: the standard university requirement is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each element; some schools or departments may ask for more, and this is stated in the offer. Other accepted tests include: TOEFL iBT 88 overall (at least 21 in each section) for tests taken before 21 January 2026, and for tests from that date the page uses a 4.5 scale (4.5 overall, at least 4.5 in Writing and Listening and 4.0 in Speaking and Reading); PTE 65 (at least 61 in each part); LanguageCert Academic 70 (at least 65 in each part); Oxford ELLT 7 (at least 6 in each part); Duolingo 120 (Speaking 110, Writing 115, Reading 110, Listening 105). Tests must be no more than two years old at the start of the course. Medium of instruction letters and English proficiency letters are not accepted. Applicants below the IELTS requirement may, at the department's discretion, take a pre-sessional English programme.
• Qualifications: the entry requirements page says the university accepts many international qualifications, such as the European Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, German Abitur, Hong Kong DSE and Indian Standard XII, alongside recognised International Foundation Programmes; students from a 12-year education system can enter through the International Foundation Programme at ONCAMPUS Loughborough. Country-by-country requirements are given in the “Select your country” text on each course page. Qualification verification, proof of funds and visa arrangements are not given on the pages used for this guide; ask Global Engagement.

Applicants from China

• Chinese senior high school graduation is not enough for direct entry: the China entry on the course pages says students taking the Senior Middle Examinations need to complete a suitable Foundation Year. The university offers a Foundation Year through ONCAMPUS, whose entry requirements are on the ONCAMPUS website (not used for this guide); you can also ask the Global Engagement team whether the foundation programme you are considering is acceptable.
• International Foundation Programme: the university's page describes a one-year programme for international students who have finished secondary education, with guaranteed progression to a Loughborough undergraduate degree on meeting the specified criteria. There are five pathways: Business, Economics, Finance and Management; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Life Sciences; Art and Design.Life Sciences is a pathway name the page lists directly; confirm the progression conditions with ONCAMPUS Loughborough.
• One year at a Chinese university: a first year at a recognised university in China is accepted for first-year entry to some degrees, typically with an overall average of 75% to 80% and specific subject marks for some courses; contact the Global Engagement team to check.
• Gaokao: the course pages and the entry requirements page do not say how gaokao scores are used and give no gaokao cut-off; this is not given on the pages used for this guide. Ask Global Engagement or Undergraduate Admissions.
• Chinese applicants with A-levels or the IB: apply directly against the A-level and IB requirements for each subject.
• Interviews and verification bodies: nothing specific to Chinese applicants is given on the pages used for this guide. All students must meet the university's English language requirement.

Transfer and direct entry to year two

• The course and entry requirements pages do not give conditions for transferring into year two from another university, credit transfer rules or deadlines; these are not given on the pages used for this guide. Contact Loughborough's Undergraduate Admissions Office (the entry requirements page lists +44 (0)1509 274403).
• The entry requirements page says BTEC HND and HNC qualifications are also considered and in some cases may allow progression directly to year two; Open University courses normally need 120 Level 1 credits for first-year entry, and specific subjects may be required.
• Conditions for moving between courses inside the university are not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the relevant department.

Fees and scholarships

• Tuition fees: the course pages give £31,500 (Biological Sciences and Human Biology) and £35,000 for Sport and Exercise Science a year for international students and £10,050 a year for UK students in 2027/28; a placement year is about 20% of the full-time fee. Fees may change from year to year; check the website.
• International Excellence Scholarship (international students only): £3,000 a year, up to £9,000 over a standard degree; no separate application, because applicants through UCAS or ONCAMPUS are considered automatically. You will typically need AAA at A-level (or equivalent), be a self-funded international fee-paying student without another university award or external sponsorship, make Loughborough your firm choice and reach the grades at the first sitting without resits. It does not apply during a placement year or an overseas-study year, or to Foundation courses.Sport and Exercise Science needs A*AA.
• Future Leaders Scholarship (international students only): a one-off £10,000 discount on first-year tuition; you must already hold an offer for September 2027 and then complete an application form by 11 April 2027; applicants must be self-funded and able to show funds for the remaining tuition and living costs. Scholarships cannot be combined; if you win several, only the highest-value one is honoured.
• UK students: the Loughborough University Bursary (means-tested) pays £1,000 per year of study, with a £500 placement start-up grant; it is not available to students from Wales, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
• Placement and overseas year: courses offer an optional placement year (with an additional Diploma in Professional Studies) or a year at a partner university overseas (with a Diploma in International Studies). You are responsible for securing the placement, with support from the university.

Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• The UCAS key dates page describes the 2026 application cycle and does not give dates for 2027 entry. Its wording is below; check the exact 2027-entry dates on the UCAS website: UCAS applications open in September; 15 October is the first deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, veterinary science and dentistry; 13 January is the second deadline for all other applications and the last point at which the university gives equal consideration; most offers are made by the end of March; 5 May is the first deadline to reply to offers; 30 June is the last date for late applications; Clearing begins on 2 July; A-level results day is 12 August.
• A separate deadline for international applicants is not given on the pages used for this guide; check with Loughborough's Undergraduate Admissions or Global Engagement team.
• Applicants who receive an offer are invited to visit the department.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• Biological Sciences and Human Biology: A-level AAB including Biology (Biological Sciences also needs a second listed subject); Sport and Exercise Science: A*AA to AAA with two listed subjects; GCSEs as set out for each course
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January (check the 2027-entry date); check the degree and UCAS code you need

International applicants:

• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each element) or an accepted equivalent; A-level or IB results as above
• For the International Excellence Scholarship: make Loughborough your firm choice, reach AAA or equivalent (A*AA for Sport and Exercise Science) at the first sitting; the Future Leaders Scholarship needs a separate application by 11 April 2027

Applicants from China:

• Chinese senior high school: complete a recognised foundation year first (for example ONCAMPUS Loughborough, which has a Life Sciences pathway); how gaokao scores are used is not given, so ask Global Engagement
• One year at a recognised Chinese university: average about 75% to 80%, with subject marks for some courses

Transfer applicants:

• Conditions for entry to year two are not given; HND and HNC holders may in some cases go straight to year two

Not given on the pages used, or to check

• The 2027-entry UCAS deadline, any separate international deadline and the application fee
• How gaokao scores are used; ONCAMPUS entry requirements and fees
• Conditions for entry to year two and credit transfer; moving between degrees after enrolment; professional accreditation of Sport and Exercise Science; clinical placement arrangements
• How fee status is decided; visa and proof-of-funds requirements; whether placements are restricted for international students

Sources: Loughborough University, Undergraduate courses A-Z; Biological Sciences BSc; Human Biology BSc; Sport and Exercise Science BSc; Entry requirements; English language requirements; Undergraduate English language requirements (higher); Key dates; International Foundation Programme; Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships; Future Leaders Scholarship; Loughborough University Bursary. Courses, offers and fees follow the course pages marked September 2027 entry (2027/28); the UCAS key dates page describes the 2026 application cycle, as noted in the text. Check Loughborough for the latest details.