How to apply to Newcastle University for biology: Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, with optional study abroad or placement years, and entry requirements for UK, international (including China) and transfer students

Biology-type degrees at Newcastle University sit in the biology and biomedical sciences subject area: Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Marine Zoology, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences. The website also lists Pharmacy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Dentistry, Psychology and Medicine and Surgery (MB BS) as subject areas; they are outside this guide, see the website, and biomedical engineering is not covered. This guide covers September 2027 entry for UK applicants, international students (including applicants from China) and transfer students.

1. Degrees and pathways

• Biology BSc (UCAS C100): three years; from cells and molecules to organisms and ecosystems, with lab classes, day excursions and residential field courses; specialisms such as biotechnology, microbiology and ecological survey techniques.
• Zoology BSc (C300): three years; the same first year as Biology, then specialising in zoology.
• Marine Biology BSc (C161) and Marine Zoology BSc (C350): three years each; marine life from microbes to whales, climate change and marine conservation, preparing for careers in ecology, marine science and environmental management.
• Biochemistry BSc (C700) and MSci (C701): three-year BSc and four-year MSci; how cell components form and interact at the molecular level, with analytical techniques used in drug design and synthesis.
• Biomedical Sciences BSc (B940) and MSci (B900): three-year BSc and four-year MSci; how the human body functions in health and disease across anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, pharmacology and physiology. The website calls the degree accredited but does not name the accrediting body on the pages used for this guide.
• The MSci adds a year of advanced master's-level study with extra research and practical experience.

2. Choosing a degree and course structure

• You apply to a specific degree, each with its own UCAS code.
• Switching after entry: the Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences pages say you can transfer between the university's degree programmes at the end of the first year if your interests change (the exact range and conditions are not given on the pages used for this guide). The same pages mention a route to transfer to Medicine or Dentistry, which is outside this guide; see the website. Zoology shares its first year with Biology.
• Biology BSc Stage 1 compulsory: Genetics and Evolution, Ecology and Conservation, Biomolecules – the Biochemical Basis of Life and Skills for the Biosciences (20 credits each), plus options such as Crop Health, Animal Health, Introduction to Animal Physiology, Molecular Biology of the Cell and Animal Life. The final year includes a 40-credit research project in areas such as molecular biology and biotechnology, microbiology and zoology, conservation and policy, or terrestrial ecology.
• Biomedical Sciences BSc Stage 1 compulsory: Molecules of Life, Infectious Threats, Core Skills in Biosciences, Core Concepts in Biosciences, Therapeutic Mechanisms and Cells to Systems (20 credits each), plus a zero-credit Essential Bioscience Skills. Stage 2 compulsory modules are Skills for Bioscientists, Genomics and Gene Expression in Disease and Anatomy and Cellular Systems, with one option from each of several lists (for example neuroscience, pharmacokinetics, microbial pathogenesis, principles of cancer and immunology). The final year includes a research project and many options.
• Year abroad and placements: the Biomedical Sciences and Biochemistry pages say you can spend up to a year at an overseas partner institution or take a 9–12-month work placement between Stages 2 and 3, which extends the degree by a year and is noted in the degree title; a placement is not available during a year abroad. The Biology page says a semester or year abroad usually takes place in Stage 3 and extends the degree by a year (partners include Monash University, the University of Hong Kong and the University of Pittsburgh), and a 9–12-month placement also extends it by a year; recent Biology and Zoology placements include Covance, Northumbrian Water and Chester Zoo.
• Field trips: the subject page says recent biology field trips have gone to South Africa, Indonesia, Portugal, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

3. Medicine degrees are outside this guide

• The medical degrees on the website, such as Medicine and Surgery (MB BS), have a different selection process and deadlines from the biology-type degrees here (for example, Medicine and Dentistry close earlier than most courses). This guide does not cover them; see the Medicine subject page on the website.

How to apply and timeline (2027 entry)

• UCAS only: all undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Newcastle's institution name is NEWC and code N21; you can choose up to 5 courses. The application includes personal details and qualifications, course choices, a personal statement and a reference from someone who knows you academically. After you apply, the university emails you to register for the Apply to Newcastle portal to upload supporting documents and track progress. This guide does not use the UCAS website or portal; check the form details on UCAS.
• 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time): equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses.
• 25 February 2027: UCAS Extra opens (if you have used all five choices and hold no offers); 1 July is the last day to add an Extra choice.
• 12 May 2027: last date for universities to make offers on applications submitted by 13 January (the page says offers are likely to arrive earlier).
• 30 June 2027 (18:00 UK time): UCAS application deadline; later applications go into Clearing, which opens on 2 July.
• Deferred entry: you can defer by a year and should say on your UCAS application how you will spend it.
• Dates note: the university's "Applying through UCAS" page still shows 2026-entry dates (14 January 2026), while the international students' step-by-step page gives the 2027-entry dates above. Use the 2027 dates and confirm on the website. Medicine and Dentistry have earlier deadlines and are outside this guide; see the website.
• Admission tests and interviews: the biology and biomedical pages used for this guide do not mention an admissions test or an interview; not given on the pages used for this guide; check the course page or ask admissions.

Entry requirements (2027 entry)

• Typical requirements: the biology-type degrees (Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Marine Zoology) show typical 2027-entry requirements of A-Level ABB and IB 32 points; Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences (BSc and MSci) show A-Level AAB and IB 34 points. Which subjects (biology, chemistry, mathematics and so on) and grades are required is shown in the entry requirements section after you select a qualification, which was not available on the pages used for this guide; check the course page.
• Prior study: specific biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics requirements are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the entry requirements section of the course page.

UK applicants

• Accepted qualifications: A and AS levels (including International A levels), Scottish Qualifications, the International Baccalaureate, the Irish Leaving Certificate, Access qualifications, BTEC and Cambridge Pre-U; others are considered individually. The entry requirements page says ABB at A level is typically the minimum for an undergraduate course, with each degree differing. Typical offers are expressed as three grades; a fourth A level is taken into account as part of your profile.
• Subject requirements: see above; the biology, chemistry and other subjects and grades appear on the course page after you select your qualification.
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland: the pages used for this guide do not give separate requirements or fees for the four nations; not given on the pages used for this guide; check each course page by choosing your qualification.
• Contextual and alternative offers: the course pages say you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirement through contextual offers (based on data in your UCAS form), PARTNERS, Realising Opportunities (open to Year 12), Pathways to Newcastle or High Performance Athletes. Check eligibility on the course page.
• Fees: course pages list a Home fee of £10,050 for Year 1 of 2027 entry. EU students with settled or pre-settled status normally pay the Home rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England; EU students without it normally pay the international rate.

International students

• Qualifications: requirements for qualifications from outside the UK are shown by country in the "Qualifications from outside the UK" section of each course page; that section only appears after you select a country and was not available on the pages used for this guide, so check the course page. The entry requirements page says A level ABB is typically the minimum for undergraduate entry and you can check equivalent grades for your country.
• English: generally IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each skill; course pages state if more is needed (course-specific English scores were not shown on the pages used for this guide; check the course page). Other accepted tests include Duolingo 125 overall with no sub-score below 100 (may differ by course); PTE Academic 70 for IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT, which the English page gives on two scales: from 21 January 2026, 4.5 with at least 3.5 in reading and 3 in writing, listening and speaking; before that date, 90 with reading 18, writing 17, listening 17 and speaking 20. Applicants needing a student visa can only use the tests listed on the English page. Results are usually valid if taken within three years before the course starts.
• Exemptions: the English page lists nationalities exempt from showing English test results, and other cases such as a recognised degree at UK bachelor's level or above, awarded within the last three years and shown to have been taught and assessed in English. Check the full list.
• Funds and visa: the page says to read the student visa information before applying; proof-of-funds amounts are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the university's visa and immigration pages.

Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the China page says the university will consider students with 75% in the Gaokao for undergraduate programmes, and that many courses require a particular subject background, which must be evidenced through the relevant Gaokao pathway and modules studied. That page states the 75% for undergraduate programmes in general; whether it applies to each degree is not given on the pages used for this guide, so ask admissions.
• Other Chinese qualifications: the page says a 70%–75% average in one year of Bachelor study at a Tier 1 university, or 75%–80% at other institutions, is comparable to A level ABB; a pass on a university foundation programme in China, or an average of at least 80% with 80% in relevant subjects at a recognised institution, may be considered for first-year entry. Include the marking scale if it is not on your transcript.
• Application routes: the page says students can apply with the help of Ambright Education Group through the China Excellence Identification Scheme (CEIS) and the AST (Aptitude Scholastic Test); see the CEIS website.
• Pathway courses: if you do not meet the academic or English requirements for direct entry, the Newcastle University International Study Centre offers International Foundation (a guaranteed route to Year 1 if you meet the success requirements) and International Year One (equivalent to Year 1, continuing straight to Year 2 if you complete it and meet the requirements). Newcastle is also an NCUK partner university and recognises the NCUK International Foundation Year. Which pathway leads to which degree and the required marks are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the pathway pages or ask admissions.
• English: the China page says generally IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with some courses different; the English page also lists TOEFL ITP Plus for China (610 overall; reading 56, writing 53, listening 54, speaking 14).
• Credential verification and interviews: not given on the pages used for this guide; ask admissions.

Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: Year 1 international tuition for 2027 entry: Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology and Marine Zoology are each £32,600; Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences (BSc and MSci) are each £31,950. Home fees on all these pages are £10,050. International fees are paid 50% in September and 50% the following January; paying in full earns a 2% early payment discount.
• Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships (2027 entry): £7,000 per academic year off tuition for the whole course, considered automatically with your course application. You must be domiciled in a listed country or region (the list includes Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the USA, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, India and all EU member states, but not mainland China), be assessed as an international fee payer and apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027; if you receive an offer by 31 March 2027 you must accept Newcastle as firm or insurance choice by 3 May 2027. The list of non-eligible courses is in a regulations PDF that was not read for this guide; check whether your course is eligible.
• Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarships (2027 entry): 30 awards of up to 50% off tuition for the full degree. You must be an international fee payer holding an offer, have or expect at least ABB at A level or equivalent, and apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027; the scholarship application closes on 2 April 2027 and is submitted through the Apply to Newcastle portal. Selection is based on academic ability, commitment to studies and quality of application. The China page also lists it. The non-eligible course list is in a regulations PDF not read for this guide.
• International students may also be eligible for International Family Discounts, some subject scholarships and sports scholarships; see the international student finance page.

Transfer students and entry to Year 2

• The university has a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy: credits or qualifications from a UK higher education degree-awarding body can be transferred (at the same level or higher), and learning gained outside the UK or through experience can be recognised. Decisions are academic and made case by case against module learning outcomes; every academic unit has an RPL statement covering how to apply, evidence needed, timescale and a named contact.
• Whether this subject admits students directly into Year 2 and on what grades is not given on the pages used for this guide (the school RPL statements are PDFs that were not read); check the RPL page for your school's statement or ask admissions.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• Choose your qualification on the course page and check the biology, chemistry and other subject requirements (biology-type degrees ABB, Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences AAB)
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time)

International students:

• Confirm IELTS 6.5 (5.5 in each skill) or another accepted test and its validity; check the course page for higher scores
• Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 to be considered for the Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship if you live in a listed country

Applicants from China:

• 75% in the Gaokao can be considered (China page wording), with biology and chemistry background shown through Gaokao subjects; consider International Foundation if you do not meet direct entry
• Ask admissions about Gaokao requirements for the biology-type degrees, credential verification and interviews

Transfer students:

• Year 2 entry conditions are not given on the pages used for this guide; contact admissions and check the school's RPL statement

Sources: Newcastle University, Biology and Biomedical Sciences subject area; Biology BSc (C100); Zoology BSc (C300); Marine Biology BSc (C161); Marine Zoology BSc (C350); Biochemistry BSc (C700); Biochemistry MSci (C701); Biomedical Sciences BSc (B940); Biomedical Sciences MSci (B900); Step-by-step guide for international students; Entry requirements; A and AS Levels; Information for students from China; English language requirements; International student finance; Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships; Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarships; International pathway courses; Recognition of Prior Learning. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Newcastle University for the latest details.