How to Apply to Life Sciences and Medicine at the University of Sheffield: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science, Zoology, Pharmacy and Medicine, with Nursing Closed to International Students, and Admissions and Prerequisites for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Life sciences and medicine at the University of Sheffield sit in several schools: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science and Zoology are taught in the School of Biosciences; Medicine is in the School of Medicine and Population Health; Pharmacy, Nursing and other health courses have their own admissions rules. Based on the 2027-entry course pages and application pages, this guide covers admissions and prerequisites for September 2027 entry, for UK applicants, international students (including applicants from China) and students seeking entry to year two. Biomedical engineering and psychology are mentioned only in passing.

1. Degrees and how admission works

• Biology-based degrees (School of Biosciences): Biological Sciences BSc (UCAS code C100, three years; MBiolSci C109, four years); Biochemistry BSc (C700; MBiolSci C709); Biomedical Science BSc (B900; MBiomedSci B909); Zoology BSc (C300; MBiolSci C309). You choose the code of the specific degree when you apply. The four-year integrated masters degrees have a major research project in year four; the course pages state Royal Society of Biology (RSB) accreditation.
• How they are taught: Biological Sciences gives a broad first-year foundation and then pathways across molecular and organismal biology, with a third-year research project (laboratory, field, computer modelling, science education or communication) and optional UK or overseas field courses. Biochemistry studies biological systems at the molecular level, Biomedical Science covers human physiology, pharmacology and molecular and cell biology, and Zoology covers animal evolution, behaviour and conservation. The course pages do not say whether you can move between these degrees after entry; this is not given, so ask the school.
• Placement and year abroad: an optional placement year (usually after year two, and you opt in once at Sheffield) turns three years into four; you can also apply for a year at a partner university, usually between years two and three.
• Pharmacy MPharm (B230, four years): placements in all four years (community, hospital, mental health and primary care) in South Yorkshire or North Derbyshire, plus a social accountability placement. Sheffield says it is working towards accreditation with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the programme is provisionally accredited until that is complete; after the MPharm you need a 12-month foundation training period and assessment to register as a pharmacist.
• Medicine MBChB (A100): clinical contact from the first year. Sheffield’s list also shows Dental Surgery BDS (A200) and Graduate Entry Medicine MBChB, which are not covered in detail here. The 2027-entry deadline for Medicine and Dentistry was 15 October 2026 and has passed; check the website for later years.
• Nursing (Adult) BMedSci (B740, three years): Sheffield states that the course is not presently open to international applicants because clinical placement capacity is limited by local staffing requirements, so international students cannot apply.
• Other related degrees: Sheffield also lists Biomedical Engineering BEng/MEng, Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry, Psychology BSc, Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc, Orthoptics and Speech and Language Therapy; check each course page.
• Admissions tests and interviews: the biology-based course pages mention no admissions test or interview; this is not given on the pages used for this guide. Pharmacy uses a gathered-field approach with interviews between December and April; Medicine needs the UCAT and an interview (below).

2. Prerequisites: subjects and grades

• Biological Sciences BSc (C100) and Zoology BSc (C300): A Level AAB including Biology and a second science; with a fourth qualification, ABB (including Biology and a second science) plus a B in the EPQ or in Core Maths. IB 34 with 6 and 5 (in any order) in HL Biology and a second science, or 33 with 5 in each and a B in the Extended Essay. Highers plus Advanced Highers AABBB plus AB in Biology and a second science. Also GCSE Maths at 4/C. The second science can be Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Science, Geology or Geography; Human Biology is accepted in place of Biology, but the two cannot be combined. Contextual offer: ABB.
• Biochemistry BSc (C700): AAB including Chemistry and a second science; IB 34 with 6 and 5 in HL Chemistry and a second science. GCSE Maths 4/C. The second science can be Biology/Human Biology, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology or Geography.
• Biomedical Science BSc (B900): AAB including two science subjects; IB 34 with 6 and 5 in two HL sciences. GCSE Maths 4/C. The sciences can be Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology or Geography; Biology with Human Biology, and Maths with Further Maths, cannot be combined as the two sciences.
• Four-year MBiolSci / MBiomedSci: A Level AAA (same subject requirements as the matching BSc), IB 36 with 6 in the named HL subjects; Highers AAABB plus AA in the named subjects.
• BTEC and T Levels: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Biomedical Science accept the BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science (named streams only) at DDD, and Pharmacy sets specific chemistry-unit conditions for BTEC; the Zoology page marks BTEC not accepted. T Levels are not accepted on these courses (nor on Medicine or Pharmacy). See the course pages for unit requirements.
• Pharmacy MPharm (B230): A Level AAB including Chemistry and a second science (Maths, Biology or Physics) plus a practical Pass; with a fourth qualification, ABB plus a B in a relevant EPQ or Core Maths. IB 34 with 5 in HL Chemistry and a second science. GCSE Maths and English Language at 6/B. BTEC Health and Social Care, T Levels and the Access to HE Diploma are not accepted. Contextual offer: ABB.
• Medicine MBChB (A100): A Level AAA including Chemistry or Biology and a second science (Maths, Physics, Biology/Human Biology or Psychology) plus a practical Pass; Further Mathematics, Critical Thinking and General Studies are not accepted. If Sheffield is your Firm choice, an alternative offer is AAB (an A in Chemistry or Biology) plus an A in the EPQ. IB 36 with 6 in three HL subjects including Chemistry or Biology and a second science, and at least 4 in every SL subject. The UCAT is required, with a minimum threshold of 1800/2700 for 2027 entry; GCSEs need at least five grade 7s and grade 6 or above in Maths, English Language and a science. International applicants are invited to an online panel interview (home applicants attend an in-person MMI).
• Nursing (Adult) BMedSci (B740): BBB, IB 32; not open to international applicants (above).

3. Special rules for international applicants on these courses

• Biology-based degrees: the course pages ask for GCSE English at 4/C or IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component); international students who miss the entry requirements can use the International Foundation Year.
• Pharmacy: much higher English requirement: GCSE English at 6/B or IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component. Sheffield says international students can progress from the University of Sheffield International College and NCUK pathways; for others whose national qualifications are not suitable for direct entry it considers a completed foundation year case by case, with a syllabus, and encourages students to email pharmacy@sheffield.ac.uk first.
• Medicine: English requirement of IELTS 7.5 with at least 7.0 in each component (or an equivalent; GCSE English for international applicants is converted by examining body to the same standard as home applicants’ 6/B); international qualifications must be sent to the Medical Admissions Office with transcript copies; the 2027/28 fee is £51,380 a year for five years; the International Undergraduate Scholarship does not apply to Medicine or Dentistry. The number of places for international applicants is not given on the pages used here; check the School of Medicine and Population Health website.
• Dentistry: the 2027/28 international fee is £55,000 a year for five years.
• Nursing: not open to international applicants.

4. How to apply and key dates

• Apply through UCAS. Sheffield gives its UCAS institution code as S18 SHEFD with no campus code; every undergraduate course starts in September, with no January or February intake.
• September 2027 entry (except Medicine and Dentistry): submit between 1 September 2026 and 13 January 2027 for guaranteed equal consideration; applications from 14 January to 30 June 2027 are for “further consideration”, and Sheffield warns it may not be able to consider them if places are full. Check UCAS for the mechanics.
• How applications are assessed: mainly achieved and predicted grades, plus the personal statement, the reference and contextual information. Sheffield says interviews are not a prerequisite for most courses, but some schools interview (examples it gives: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Orthoptics, Pharmacy, Speech and Language Therapy). Pharmacy interviews run from December to April.
• Deferred entry: allowed; you are assessed on the conditions of the UCAS year in which you apply and must meet them by the end of that year.
• Contextual offers: applicants from groups under-represented in higher education, those who took part in Sheffield outreach programmes or have additional qualifications may get an offer one or two grades below the standard A Level requirement; see Sheffield’s Access Sheffield pages.

5. UK applicants

• Qualifications: Sheffield normally expects three full A Levels or an accepted equivalent; the course pages list matching requirements for the IB, Scottish Highers plus Advanced Highers, the Welsh Baccalaureate plus two A Levels and the Access to HE Diploma. T Levels are treated differently by course; see above. Subject and practical requirements are given above.
• A Level practicals: practical skills in Physics, Chemistry and Biology A Levels are graded Pass or Fail separately; where a course needs a Pass this is stated on the course page and in the offer.
• Fees: for home fee-paying undergraduates starting in 2027 the standard annual tuition fee is £10,050; eligible students can get government tuition fee and maintenance loans. The pages used for this guide do not separate fee status or funding for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland; see Sheffield’s fee status page.
• Funding: Sheffield has pages on bursaries, scholarships and additional funding, each with its own eligibility; check them on the website.

6. International students

• Grades: follow the A Level and IB requirements on the course page. Sheffield also has an “international qualifications” page that maps qualifications by country to A Level bands, plus individual country pages. It warns that meeting the requirements does not guarantee an offer.
• English: the international students page gives a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component (or equivalent) for undergraduates, and says some departments may ask for more. The course pages for the courses below also give GCSE English at 4/C, IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component) or another accepted qualification. Most departments can make a conditional offer if you do not yet meet the English requirement, to be met before you start. If you completed a first degree taught in English in a majority native-English-speaking country, further English evidence is not normally required.
• Foundation and Year One programmes: the University of Sheffield International College (USIC) runs International Foundation Years in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities, and in Science and Engineering, plus International Year One programmes (Sheffield lists Business Management and Accounting, Economics, and Psychology). The course pages say international students who do not meet the entry requirements can apply for an International Foundation Year and progress to degree study on completion.
• Visa and funds: the course pages link to Sheffield’s visa and immigration pages; the amount of funds to show is not given on the pages used for this guide, so check the visa pages or the international recruitment team.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: Sheffield’s China page says it accepts the Gaokao for direct entry to undergraduate programmes. For courses asking for A Level grades of AAA or above, you need an overall score equivalent to at least 75% of the total marks; for AAB to ABB, at least 70%; for BBB to BBC, at least 65%. Where a course has individual A Level subject requirements, you must reach the required score in the specified Gaokao subject (typically Maths and/or a science): an A equals 75% of that subject’s marks, a B 70% and a C 65%. For the biology-based degrees at AAB, this conversion implies at least 70% overall and 70% in the relevant Gaokao science subjects (the “B” level); Pharmacy at AAB likewise. Medicine asks AAA plus the UCAT; the China page has no medicine-specific statement, so how the Gaokao is used is not given and you should ask the Medical Admissions Office. This applies the China page’s general conversion, and whether the school sets anything further is not given.
• Senior High School Certificate only: after the three-year Chinese Senior High School Certificate you must complete a recognised foundation programme (yuke) to be considered for year one; Sheffield asks you to contact its China team to check that your chosen programme is acceptable.
• USIC and NCUK: the China page lists USIC’s International Foundation Years (Business, Social Sciences and Humanities; Science and Engineering) and International Year One (Business Management and Accounting; Economics), and NCUK’s International Foundation Year (IFY) and International Year One (IYOne) across China. NCUK IFY graduates with the required grades are considered for year one; IYOne graduates can apply to enter year two of a wide range of degree courses.
• University study in China: applicants who completed year one of a standard four-year Chinese bachelor’s degree are considered for year one; holders of a three-year university diploma (dazhuan) are considered for direct entry to year two (a general statement for undergraduate courses).
• A Level and IB: applicants with at least three A Levels or the IB Diploma are considered for direct entry; the scores are on the course page.
• English: the China page says a minimum of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for undergraduates, while the international English page and the course pages say IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each component. Both statements appear on the website; follow the course page and confirm with admissions.
• Sheffield also has a Chinese-language page, student stories, official representatives in China and events, reachable from the China page.

8. Fees and scholarships (international students)

• Tuition fee: Sheffield says new full-time overseas undergraduates in 2027/28 pay between £27,650 and £34,670 a year (Medicine and Dentistry excepted, with separate fees); the 2026/27 range is £25,000 to £32,100. Use Sheffield’s undergraduate fee look-up tool for a specific course; the course pages used here do not list the amount. Medicine costs £51,380 a year for five years in 2027/28 and Dentistry £55,000 a year for five years.
• Fixed fee guarantee: international students on the same course pay the same annual fee in each year; changing course may change the fee.
• Placement and year abroad: for students starting in 2027/28, the placement / industrial placement year costs 20% of the full-time fee and a year abroad 15%.
• International Undergraduate Scholarship 2027: £2,500 a year, up to £10,000 on four-year courses, awarded automatically as a fee reduction with no application. Conditions include starting an undergraduate degree in September 2027; choosing Sheffield as Firm or Insurance before 4pm UK time on Wednesday 2 June 2027; being self-funded, classified as overseas for fee purposes and not a sponsored student; full-time study. It continues each year with a weighted average of 60% or above and at least 120 credits in the previous year; it does not apply to placement or abroad years, cannot be deferred (deferring forfeits it), cannot be combined with other scholarships or external funding, does not apply to students on a non-USIC foundation year, and does not apply to Medicine (A100/A101) or Dentistry (A200).
• Sheffield’s scholarship list also names the Sanctuary Scholarship, the NCUK Merit Scholarship 2027, the NCUK Sino-British College Scholarship 2027 and others, each with its own conditions; check each page (some still refer to 2026 entry, and Sheffield notes some schemes are not yet confirmed for 2027).

9. Transfer students and direct entry to year two

• Sheffield says it will consider applications for entry to Year/Level 2: you should normally have met the standard A Level requirements of the course (or equivalent) and shown that you completed a programme equivalent to the first year of the course, and it may ask for syllabuses. It also notes that some academic schools do not accept any transfers into Year/Level 2.
• The course pages for the biology-based degrees, Pharmacy and Medicine give no specific criteria for second-year entry. The Pharmacy page says applicants with a 2:1 or above in a relevant degree are considered, and the Medicine page says there are no exemptions from any part of the course for holders of science or biomedical science degrees. Other transfer rules are not given on the pages used for this guide; contact the School of Biosciences or admissions.
• Routes from China: year one of a four-year degree leads to year one; a three-year diploma may lead to year two; USIC or NCUK International Year One leads to year two (see above).
• The International Undergraduate Scholarship page says students entering in year 2 or year 3 can also receive it, provided they are not receiving a scholarship or award under a collaborative programme with their home institution.

Sources: University of Sheffield, Biological Sciences BSc; Biochemistry BSc; Biomedical Science BSc; Zoology BSc; Biological Sciences MBiolSci; Biomedical Science MBiomedSci; Pharmacy MPharm; Medicine MBChB; Nursing (Adult) BMedSci; Applying essentials; Submitting your application; How we assess your application; Admissions requirements; A Levels; Other UK qualifications; International qualifications; International undergraduate applications; English language requirements; Entry requirements: China; Undergraduate tuition fees 2027; Overseas undergraduate fees; International Undergraduate Scholarship 2027. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Sheffield and UCAS for the latest details.