How to Apply to Life Sciences and Biomedical Degrees at the University of Liverpool: A Common First Year in the School of Biosciences with Switching Until the End of Year One, Covering Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and More, with Entry Routes and Prerequisites for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

The University of Liverpool is in Liverpool, and life-sciences undergraduate degrees are mainly taught in the School of Biosciences. You apply to a named course through UCAS. This guide sets out the main points for September 2027 entry for UK applicants, international applicants (including those from China) and students seeking entry to year 2. Medicine (MBChB), dentistry, pharmacy and nursing are taught in other schools; only what was read about them is noted in the medicine section.

Key points

• C130/C100/C700: ABB (with Biology and Chemistry or another science); B210: AAB including Chemistry; common first year, switching possible until the end of year one.
• UCAS deadlines for September 2027 entry: 13 January 2027 for UK applicants and 30 June 2027 for international applicants (course pages).
• International fee £33,000, IELTS 6.5 (2027/28, course pages).
• Applicants from China: the mainland China page says students who have completed high school (including those who sat the gaokao) must first complete a Foundation Programme or obtain A levels or an equivalent before progressing to a degree.
• Entry to year 2: can be requested on the UCAS form and must be submitted by the main deadlines; the conditions are not published.

1. Degrees and variants

• What the school says: the School of Biosciences undergraduate page says it offers three-year BSc and four-year MBiol (integrated master’s) programmes, from Anatomy and Human Biology to Zoology. All students begin with a common first year, and as long as they meet the necessary prerequisites (such as chemistry for Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences) they can switch degrees within the school until the end of Year 1; transfer from a BSc to an MBiol is also possible.
• General programmes: Biomedical Sciences (BSc C130, MBiol C133), for students interested in human biology or molecular sciences, which the school says allows transfer into most other programmes in the school (normally except Anatomy and Human Biology) or a broad degree to graduation; and Biological Sciences (BSc C100, MBiol C103), popular with students interested in broader and whole-organism biology, again with the choice to specialise later or stay broad.
• Specialist programmes: Anatomy and Human Biology (BSc B110, MBiol B113), Biochemistry (BSc C700, MBiol C703), Bioveterinary Science (BSc D900, MBiol D903), Microbiology and Infection (BSc C500, MBiol C503), Pharmacology (BSc B210, MBiol B213) and Zoology (BSc C300, MBiol C303).
• Foundation year: a one-year foundation with Carmel College, Biological Sciences (with a Foundation Year) leading to BSc, UCAS code C108, leads to direct transfer into one of the school’s BSc programmes. Whether international applicants are eligible is not given on the pages used; check the course page.
• Course pages read: Biomedical Sciences BSc (C130), Biological Sciences BSc (C100), Biochemistry BSc (C700) and Pharmacology BSc (B210). Requirements for the other programmes and for the MBiol versions were not read; see their course pages.
• Related areas: biomedical engineering is outside this guide and is mentioned only here.

2. Entry requirements and prerequisites (UK-qualification view on the course pages)

• Biomedical Sciences BSc (C130): ABB at A level including Biology and Chemistry; with the EPQ the offer is BBB with an A in the EPQ; GCSE English and Mathematics at 4/C; where Chemistry, Biology or Physics A levels have been taken in England, a pass in the practical endorsement of each is required. BTEC National Extended Diploma: D*DD in Applied Science with preferred units in Biology and Chemistry, with a Distinction in Unit 1 or 5, and BTECs in other subjects are not acceptable. IB: 32 points with no score below 4 including 6 in HL Biology and 5 in HL Chemistry, or the IB Diploma plus 6, 5, 5 in three HL subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 5 in HL Chemistry. Irish Leaving Certificate: H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3. Scottish qualifications: not accepted without Advanced Highers at ABB. Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced: B plus AB at A level including Biology at A and Chemistry at B. Access to HE Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits, 33 at Distinction and 12 at Merit, with 15 Distinctions in each of Biology and Chemistry.
• Biochemistry BSc (C700): ABB including Biology and Chemistry; EPQ route BBB with an A in the EPQ; IB 32 points including 6 in HL Biology and 5 in HL Chemistry; Irish H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 including H2 in Higher Level Biology and Chemistry; BTEC as for Biomedical Sciences.
• Biological Sciences BSc (C100): ABB with Biology and a second science, preferably Chemistry; EPQ route BBB with an A in the EPQ; the page lists accepted second subjects including Applied ICT, Biology (and Human Biology), Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Electronics, Environmental Science, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, ICT, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics, Psychology, Physics and Statistics; IB 32 points with 6 in HL Biology and 5 in HL Chemistry (or a second science).
• Pharmacology BSc (B210): AAB at A level including Chemistry, plus a second science, preferably Biology; EPQ route ABB with an A in the EPQ; IB 34 points with no score below 4 including 6 in HL Chemistry and 5 in another HL science, or the IB Diploma plus 6, 6, 5 in three HL subjects including 6 in HL Chemistry and 5 in another HL science.
• T levels: the Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Pharmacology course pages accept the Health and Science (Science pathway) T level with an overall Distinction including a B in the core, and ask applicants to contact the university through the enquiry form to discuss requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism; the Biomedical Sciences page read has no T-level line, so check it on the website.
• Admissions tests and interviews: the life-science course pages read do not list an admissions test or interview. This is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the School of Biosciences, whose address on the undergraduate page is biosci@liverpool.ac.uk.

3. How you are admitted and course structure

• You apply to a named course using codes such as C130, C100, C700 or B210; with a common first year, switching is possible until the end of year one if prerequisites are met.
• Year one: on the Biological Sciences BSc page, all year-one modules are compulsory, including Biology Core Concepts, Origins, Specialisations, Challenges and Therapeutics, Introductory Practical Skills in Biosciences I, From Individuals to Ecosystem, and Study and Communication Skills Tutorials. The year covers core concepts of biology, immunity, infection and therapy, how organisms develop and function, ecology and the global environment, with practical skills and field studies.
• Year three: the Biomedical Sciences BSc page says year three offers a physical or virtual placement and centres on a capstone Research Project (BIOS301) in which you plan and carry out your own research, analyse and evaluate data and present your findings, plus two optional modules chosen from a list that includes Molecular, Clinical and Translational Cancer.
• Year abroad and year in industry: all four course pages list a year in industry fee of £2,010 in the fees section, but each change log (16 December 2024) says an official Year in Industry option is not currently available. The two statements conflict; ask admissions.

4. Medicine (MBChB) and other health degrees

• The UCAS page says the closing date is 15 October in the year before entry if your choices include a programme leading to a professional qualification in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science, and the qualifications page says the EPQ is not accepted for Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science and Allied Health Professions and Nursing.
• The School of Medicine home page read describes clinical skills, anatomy and case-based learning but does not give MBChB entry requirements, places for international applicants or policy. Course pages for pharmacy, dentistry and allied health and nursing were not read. The policy for international applicants to medicine is not given on the pages used; check the School of Medicine undergraduate admissions pages on the website.

UK applicants

• Qualifications accepted: the entry-qualifications page says most school-leavers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland apply with three or more A levels, and that BTEC (most courses take the National Extended Diploma, or a Diploma with one A level, or an Extended Certificate with two, with possible subject requirements), the EPQ, Scottish Advanced Highers, the Welsh Baccalaureate (for most courses only with two A levels), the Access to HE Diploma, Cambridge Pre-U and the Irish Leaving Certificate are also considered. Requirements for Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers differ by course; the figures read are in the subject sections below.
• How A levels are used: both reformed and unreformed A levels are accepted; AS results are not formally used; the A* is not normally used in offers but may separate otherwise equal applicants at confirmation, and exceptionally an offer may require it. Where a science A level has a separately graded practical endorsement, a pass is required for applicants from England.
• Core Maths and T levels: Core Maths is not part of entry requirements and cannot replace A level Mathematics where it is required. On T levels, the general page says non-clinical courses may consider them case by case, whereas the mathematics, physics and economics course pages read say T levels are not currently accepted; the biosciences course pages read accept the Health and Science (Science pathway) T level with an overall Distinction including a B in the core and ask applicants to contact the university. Follow the course page.
• EPQ and contextual offers: course pages give a reduced A level offer for applicants with the EPQ (figures below) and say you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction through the contextual offers scheme, assessed from your circumstances such as where you live, with no separate application.
• Tuition (UK fee): the course pages read give £10,050 per year full-time for 2027/28, and say it also applies to the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland. Fees may rise each year, for UK students within the government’s regulated limit. The pages do not list a separate fee for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; ask admissions to confirm your fee status.
• Funding: the course pages list several awards for UK students, for example the Liverpool Bursary (up to £2,000 a year for household income below £35,000) and the Bloomberg Scholarship (four a year for Liverpool City Region residents, £5,000 a year for three years). Conditions differ, so check the scholarship finder.

International applicants

• Grades and qualifications: country-specific requirements appear on the course page under International qualifications once a country is chosen; the pages used for this guide showed the default UK view, so the country-by-country content is not given here. The university accepts the IB Diploma for all courses (subject figures below). Applicants send copies or scans of certificates and transcripts and show originals at registration; Liverpool wants proof of every qualification entered on the UCAS form, not only those in an offer.
• English language: the life-science course pages ask for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no component below 5.5 (the same on the Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Pharmacology pages read); TOEFL iBT 88 (listening 17, writing 17, reading 17, speaking 19) for tests taken on or before 20 January 2026, or 4.5 overall with 4 or above in each component for tests from 21 January 2026 (Home Edition not accepted); Duolingo 125 (speaking, reading and writing at least 105, listening at least 100); PTE Academic 61 with no component below 59; LanguageCert Academic 70 with no skill below 60. The university also offers Pre-sessional English for those who miss the requirement, with the length set by the latest IELTS score; for example, 5.5 overall with no component below 5.5 maps to 6 weeks, 5.0 with none below 5.0 to 12 weeks, and 4.0 with none below 4.0 to 40 weeks (on campus or online depending on the score). The course pages say applicants from a majority English-speaking country do not need to demonstrate English; the country list is on the English language page, which was not used here.
• Tuition: the course pages give an international fee of £33,000 a year, full-time, for 2027/28 (Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Pharmacology BSc). Fees can rise each year; the course page and offer letter are the reference. The university says international undergraduates can pay in full at the start of each year or in two instalments (60% and 40%).
• Scholarships: the international page says Liverpool Scholarships are for outstanding international students, worth up to £7,500 for undergraduates. The international scholarships page says some awards are competitive and others automatic; the pages used do not give the eligibility rules or whether the Liverpool Scholarship is assessed automatically. Check the scholarship finder. There are also University of Liverpool International College Excellence and First Class Scholarships for high achievers progressing from the college, allocated automatically if eligible.
• Funds and visa: there is a visas and immigration section on the international pages, not used here; check it and the UK government site for documents and proof of funds.
• International Foundation Certificate: applicants with good school grades who do not meet direct entry can take a one-year Foundation Certificate at University of Liverpool International College, run with Kaplan International Pathways. The two certificates are Business, Law and Social Sciences, and Science and Engineering. The university says completing it at the required level with good attendance guarantees a place on the chosen degree. Which certificate leads to which degree, and the grade needed, is shown on Kaplan’s progression finder, which is linked from the university page; check it there.

Applicants from China

• Is the gaokao used directly? The mainland China page says students who have completed 12 years of schooling in China must complete a Foundation Programme, or GCE A level (or equivalent), and show English proficiency before progressing to an undergraduate degree, and that students who took the gaokao are also required to complete a Foundation Pathway programme. The page does not say that gaokao scores convert directly to an entry grade and gives no gaokao cut-off.
• Pathways in China: the Xi’an Jiaotong University – University of Liverpool International Undergraduate Foundation Programme, launched in June 2025, is a one-year programme after which successful students are guaranteed admission. There is also the Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) 2+2 articulation: after two years at XJTLU, students can move to Liverpool for the final two years and receive both degrees.
• Pathway in the UK: the Foundation Certificate at University of Liverpool International College (above) guarantees a place on the chosen degree when the required level and attendance are met.
• Other recognised routes: Aptitude Scholastic Tests (at least 200/300 in at least two relevant tests; where a course needs a specific A level subject, an AST in that subject is compulsory), NCUK, and the Bellerbys Foundation Programme. Current students at recognised Chinese universities who finished the first year may be considered for direct entry to the first year of some courses, and those with more than two years may be considered for the second year; the page advises checking with the course admissions team first.
• Transcripts, verification, interviews: the China page does not give a certifying body for high-school transcripts or diplomas, and does not mention an interview; ask the China team. The page lists approved agents in China, and the university can be reached at chinarep@liverpool.ac.uk or through the WeChat account named on the page. The life-science course pages do not give separate gaokao or Chinese high-school grade requirements; this is not given on the pages used, so ask the China team or the School of Biosciences admissions office. The School of Biosciences page says it welcomes students from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University each year; see the school’s international pages for details, which were not read.
• Undergraduate application route: the page says to apply through UCAS, or through an approved education adviser (agent).

Transfer students and entry to year 2

• The application page says Liverpool considers direct entry to year 2 of an undergraduate course; indicate it on the UCAS form and apply by the main deadlines. It cannot be considered in Clearing.
• The pages used for this guide do not give the grades, credit-transfer rules or places available for year 2 entry by course. This is not given on the pages used; contact admissions (the phone number on course pages is +44 (0) 151 794 5927, or use the enquiry form).
• For students at Chinese universities, see the China section above: a completed first year may allow entry to year 1, and more than two years may allow year 2, subject to checking with admissions.

Cost summary (life sciences)

• Annual tuition for 2027/28: UK fee £10,050; international fee £33,000 (the same figures on the Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Pharmacology BSc pages read).
• Year abroad and year in industry: the pages give a year abroad fee of £1,508 for UK students (noted as applying to the year in China) and £16,500 for international students, and a year in industry fee of £2,010 (see the conflict above on whether that option is open).
• School scholarship: the course pages list the Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship for UK students joining a School of Biosciences degree with household income below £25,000, £4,500 a year for three years. Whether international applicants can apply is not given on the pages used.
• Fees can rise each year; other course-related costs are on the university study costs page, which was not used here.

How to apply, deadlines and fee (September 2027 entry)

• Route: full-time undergraduate applications from both UK and international applicants go through UCAS. Liverpool’s UCAS institution code is LVRPL L41, and each course page gives its own course code. Check the forms and process on the UCAS website. The university says you can submit from the beginning of September in the year before entry.
• Deadlines: the course pages give 13 January 2027 as the deadline for UK applicants and 30 June 2027 for international applicants, for the start on 27 September 2027. The general undergraduate application page says the normal UK closing date is 14 January, one day different from the course pages, so confirm with the course page and UCAS. The same page says that if your choices include Oxford or Cambridge, or courses leading to a professional qualification in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science, the closing date is 15 October in the year before entry (15 October 2026 for 2027 entry, already passed when this was written). The pages used for this guide do not say how places are handled for international applicants close to 30 June; ask admissions.
• UCAS fee: the university page gives £28.95 for 2026 entry for up to five choices. Check the UCAS website for the 2027 entry fee.
• Personal statement and references: the university has a personal statement guidance page, which was not used for this guide; follow UCAS for length and format. The university says UCAS checks statements for plagiarism and can require a new one. Reference requirements are not given on the application page used; check UCAS.
• Deferral and direct entry to year 2: the university says one-year deferral can be requested on the application or in writing to Admissions no later than 31 July, decided case by case, with spaces possibly limited; offer conditions must still be met in the application cycle. Applicants seeking direct entry to year 2 must say so on the UCAS form and apply by the main deadlines; year 2 entry is not considered in Clearing.

All of the above comes from the university’s pages for September 2027 entry. Fees, deadlines and course conditions can change, so check the University of Liverpool website and UCAS before applying.

Sources: University of Liverpool, School of Biosciences undergraduate study; Biomedical Sciences BSc; Biological Sciences BSc; Biochemistry BSc; Pharmacology BSc; School of Medicine; Applying through UCAS; Entry requirements and qualifications; Applicants from mainland China; Foundation Certificates; International students; International tuition fees. Information is for September 2027 entry and the 2027/28 academic year. Check the University of Liverpool website for the latest details.