How to Apply to Biology at the University of Leeds: Biological Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Zoology and more, with a shared first year and an optional placement year; entry for UK, international (including Chinese) and transfer applicants

Biology degrees at the University of Leeds are mainly taught in the Faculty of Biological Sciences, and you apply through UCAS directly to a specific course. This guide follows the Leeds website for September 2027 entry and is for UK applicants, international applicants (including Chinese applicants) and students who want to join the second year. It does not use the UCAS website or application portals, so check UCAS before you submit.

1. Degrees and routes

The Faculty's undergraduate page lists these courses (this guide used the course pages that carry a UCAS code; all are three-year BSc degrees, each with a four-year integrated Masters, MBiol, BSc, version):

• Broad-based degrees: Biological Sciences (C701), which the website says explores life from molecules and cells to whole organisms, with a broad first year and, from year 2, a choice of three themes (Infection and Disease; Genome Biology and Disease; Molecular Medicine); Biology (C100), from genes to behaviour and evolution to ecology, with Zoology, Genetics and Ecology pathways in year 3; and Biomedical Sciences (B100). The website also has a page explaining the difference between Biological Sciences and Biology, which was not used for this guide.
• Specialist degrees: Biochemistry (C700), Genetics (C400), Microbiology (C500), Neuroscience (B140), Pharmacology (B210), Zoology (C300) and Ecology and Conservation Biology (C180). Sport and Exercise Sciences and Biological Sciences (Biotechnology with Enterprise) are also listed; their pages were not used for this guide.
• Integrated Masters (MBiol, BSc): each degree has a four-year version; see below.

Medicine (MBChB), nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary science and public health are outside the scope of this guide; see the website.

2. How admission works and what you study

• You apply directly to a specific course. The website says most of the Faculty's courses share the same compulsory first-year modules, so you can transfer to other degrees in the same school at the end of year 1, with further courses possibly open depending on your academic background; every transfer must be discussed with your personal tutor or programme leader. The Biological Sciences page says transfers are to relevant degrees in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, subject to space and approval of academic background; the Biology page says many programmes in its school share a common first year.
• Biological Sciences Year 1 (sample compulsory modules): Introductory Skills in the Molecular Biosciences (20), Introductory Skills in Microbiology (20), The Basis of Life (20), Introduction to Microbiology (20), Introduction to Genetics (10) and Introduction to Immunology (10), with options such as Short Introduction to Human Body Systems, The Diversity of Life and Living Planet. The website says these are examples and modules change each year.
• Biology Year 1 (sample compulsory modules): Living Planet (20), The Basis of Life (20), Laboratory and Experimental Skills (20), Unlocking Scientific Success (20), Introduction to Genetics (10) and Using Biology to Feed the World (10), with options including Introduction to Immunology, Biology of the Mind, Exploring Whole Organism Biology, The Microbial World and a UK habitats field course. The Biology page says there are field activities in the UK, Spain and South Africa and access to the University's National Pig Centre.
• Final year: the Biology page lists a 40-credit Biology Research Project (laboratory, field, data analysis or literature based); the Faculty page says the final-year project may be literature-based or laboratory-based depending on the course.
• BSc or MBiol: the integrated Masters page says entry requirements for the MBiol courses are normally higher than for the BSc and that all courses require A-level AAA, usually in two science or science-related subjects. You do not have to choose between the BSc and the MBiol when you apply: you can transfer at the end of year 2 with a minimum average of 65%; the confirmation point at the end of year 3 normally needs 65% in the project module and 65% on average; and you can transfer back to the BSc at any time. The website says the MBiol courses have advanced accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology.
• Placement year and study abroad: every degree offers an industrial placement between years 2 and 3, extending the degree by 12 months, either research-based or non-lab-based, and a combined year of work and study abroad is possible; you do not have to decide when you apply. The website says an average paid placement earns around £16,000 to £18,000 a year, and unpaid placements are also an option. The degree title then carries "industrial" or "international".
• Accreditation: the Biological Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Zoology and Ecology and Conservation Biology course pages say the "Industrial" variant (for students who complete the placement year) is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (advanced accreditation), and that this applies to the matching MBiol variants. The Pharmacology page's accreditation paragraph names "Microbiology (Industrial)", and the Neuroscience and Biomedical Sciences pages name "Pharmacology (Industrial)", none of which match their own course names, and no accreditation paragraph was seen on the Microbiology page; confirm accreditation for those courses with the admissions team.
• Interviews: the Faculty's admissions guidance says applicants are not required to attend an interview.

3. Typical offers (September 2027 entry)

• A-level: every biology BSc course page says AAB with specified subjects:
  - Biology, Genetics, Zoology, Ecology and Conservation Biology: Biology, preferably with another science or science-related subject; if Biology is the only science, an A is required.
  - Biological Sciences, Microbiology: Biology or Chemistry plus another science or science-related subject.
  - Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences: Biology or Chemistry plus another science or science-related subject.
  - Biochemistry: Chemistry plus another science subject.
  Science subjects are Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics (Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences also count PE); science-related subjects (Biological Sciences page) are Computing, Environmental Science, Food Science, Geography, Geology, PE, Psychology and Statistics. Critical Thinking and General Studies are excluded. Applicants taking a science A-level in England must also pass the practical element.
• EPQ and similar: the EPQ, Cambridge International Project Qualification, Core Maths or AS Maths (where A-level Maths or Further Maths is not studied in full) and the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate are considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer one grade lower, for example an A with ABB.
• GCSE: Maths 6 (B) or above and English 4 (C) or above; the Faculty accepts Level 2 Functional Skills English in place of GCSE English.
• IB: 31 points overall with 6,6,5 at Higher Level, including the subjects matching the A-level requirement (for example Biology for Biology, Genetics, Zoology and Ecology and Conservation Biology, with a 6 if it is the only science at HL; Chemistry plus another science for Biochemistry).
• Other UK qualifications (from the Biological Sciences page; other courses are similar): BTEC Extended Diploma DDM plus A-level Biology or Chemistry at A/B (Applied Science preferred); Cambridge Pre-U D3/D3/M1 including a D3 in Biology or Chemistry; Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher) H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3; Scottish applicants need five Highers at AABBB plus two Advanced Highers at AB including Biology or Chemistry (Highers alone are not accepted); Access to HE Diploma: 60 credits with 45 at Level 3, graded D39M6P0, with distinctions in Biology and in Maths or Chemistry.
• Access to Leeds (contextual admissions): the typical Access to Leeds A-level offer shown on the course pages is BBB, still subject to the subject requirements above and a pass in the scheme, for applicants who may be from low income households, first in their family to apply to higher education, or whose studies were disrupted.

UK applicants

• How to apply: through UCAS. This guide does not use the UCAS website or portals; the application fee and reference rules are not given on the pages used here, so check UCAS.
• Personal statement and references: the Faculty's guidance calls the personal statement an important part of the application, and says that where applications show similar academic achievement and predicted grades, personal statements and references may be used to differentiate between applicants.
• Resits and deferrals: the guidance says the Faculty will consider applicants who are retaking exams and applications for deferred entry (ideally requested before a place is confirmed).
• Foundation years: the website says applicants without the qualifications for direct entry may take a Foundation Year; Leeds offers Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc and Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc. Their entry requirements were not used for this guide.
• Tuition: UK students pay £10,050 for 2027/28; the website says the government sets the fee cap, so later years will reflect changes, and from 2028/29 fees are likely to rise at least in line with inflation. The course pages give two bands, UK and international, with no split by England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland; see the website's fee status page for how status is decided.

International applicants

• How to apply: the website says international students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students, and recommends applying as early as possible so there is time to arrange a visa.
• English language: the course page asks for IELTS Academic (or IELTS for UKVI Academic) 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken at a test centre, no more than two years old at the start of the course, and achieved in a single test (or a single test plus a One Skill Retake). The international entry requirements page lists other accepted undergraduate tests: TOEFL iBT (tests before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with at least 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 19 in writing; from 21 January 2026: 4 overall and at least 4 in each component), PTE Academic 60 (59 in each component; PTE Academic Online is not accepted), LanguageCert Academic 65 (60 in each component, taken at a test centre), Oxford ELLT Global 6 (5 in each component), Oxford Test of English Advanced 126 (111 in each component), Cambridge English 169 (162 in each component), Trinity ISE II 90 overall (80 in each skill) and Study Group AES 60% (50% in each component). GCSE English Language at C/4 also counts. Applicants below the requirement may take the undergraduate pre-sessional English course.
• Qualifications: the course page says Leeds accepts a range of international equivalent qualifications; use the admissions qualifications page (by country) or contact the admissions team.
• International foundation routes: the international foundation routes page says applicants who do not meet the academic requirements can use the University of Leeds International Foundation Year (after which you progress to one of more than 150 undergraduate degrees, taught by Leeds academics throughout), the Study Group Leeds International Study Centre International Foundation Year or International Year One (the latter allows entry to year two of some degrees), or the NCUK International Foundation Year and International Year One. Which of these lead to the biology degrees is not given on the pages used for this guide; check with the provider.
• Fees and visas: the course pages give international tuition of £33,800 a year for 2027/28 for the biological sciences degrees, unchanged for the whole degree; a study abroad or work placement year is charged at a reduced fee (see the website fees page). Proof of funds and visa details are not given on the pages used here; see the visas and immigration page on the website.

Applicants from China

• Gaokao and Chinese high school results: the course pages for the biology degrees only say Leeds accepts a range of international equivalent qualifications. It does not say how gaokao scores or Chinese high school results are used and gives no gaokao cut-off; this is not given on the pages used for this guide. Leeds has a country-by-country admissions qualifications page (only the first page of the country list was used here, not the China entry); check it for the Chinese requirements, or write to fbsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk.
• Leeds International Foundation Year: the International Foundation Year entry requirements page asks Chinese students for an overall average of 80% (grade B) in Senior High School year 3 with at least 80% in relevant subject areas; the same scores are accepted from year 2. English for the Science and Engineering routes is IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 in each component (TOEFL iBT 72 for tests before 21 January 2026, and a 4 overall and 4 in each component scale for later tests). The page describes the general requirement for bachelor degrees with an integrated International Foundation Year and does not say whether the biology degrees have matching foundation-year versions; ask the International Foundation Year admissions team (IFYAdmissions@leeds.ac.uk).
• Other foundation routes: the Study Group Leeds International Study Centre and NCUK also offer international foundation years and international year one programmes; see the section above. The Biological Sciences faculty page quotes a graduate who studied International Year One Biological Sciences at the Leeds International Study Centre before the degree; entry requirements for that route and the courses it leads to are not given on the pages used here.
• Chinese applicants taking A-levels or the IB apply directly against the A-level or IB requirement for the course.
• Interviews and accreditation bodies: nothing specific to Chinese applicants is given.

Transfer and entry to the second year

• Advanced entry to the second year: the Faculty's admissions guidance says it will consider applications for second-year entry, made through UCAS, with documents on previous first-year study emailed to the Admissions Team. You must meet the first-year minimum entry requirements for the programme, have met the learning outcomes of year 1, and have achieved a minimum percentage average in the first year (the percentage is not given on the page). Decisions are made by the Academic Admissions Tutor or another academic lead. Entry to Level 3 is not permitted.
• Internal transfers: the guidance says current Leeds students who wish to transfer into the Faculty's courses must apply by the 13 January 2027 UCAS deadline, are expected to meet the standard academic entry requirements, and are expected to discuss the change with the Admissions Team first; for second-year entry see the previous point.
• Credit transfer from other universities is not described on the pages used here; write to fbsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk.

Fees and scholarships

• Tuition: UK students £10,050 and international students £33,800 a year for 2027/28 (biology course pages); the international fee stays the same for the whole degree.
• UK students: the scholarships list shows the Leeds Bursary for UK students (the amount varies with household income and course; marked open) and a 10% alumni tuition discount for former Leeds students (UK and international). The undergraduate funding page also covers government student loans and hardship funding.
• International students: the international scholarships page says more than £20 million in scholarships is available, while the international students page says more than £14 million for students starting in 2026; the figures differ, so check the scholarships search page. Which undergraduate scholarships apply to international biology students, and their amounts and conditions, are not given on the pages used here; use the website's scholarships search (filter by undergraduate, international and subject).

Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• The Biological Sciences course pages say to check the deadline on UCAS and print no date; the Faculty's admissions guidance names 13 January 2027 as the UCAS deadline for internal transfers. The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences guidance calls 13 January 2027 its "equal consideration" deadline; whether the biological sciences courses use the same equal consideration date is not stated, so check UCAS.
• The website says that for applications made by the January deadline UCAS asks universities to decide by mid-May at the latest.
• A separate deadline for international applicants is not given on the pages used here; the website recommends applying early to leave time for a visa.

Application checklist

UK applicants:

• A-level AAB including the Biology or Chemistry your course asks for (pass the practical element in England), GCSE Maths 6 and English 4; or IB 31 points with 6,6,5 at HL
• Apply through UCAS and check the 13 January 2027 deadline; choose the exact degree and UCAS code

International applicants:

• IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component) or equivalent; A-level or IB results as above
• Apply early to leave time for a visa

Applicants from China:

• How gaokao and Chinese high school results are used is not given on the pages used here; check the China entry on the admissions qualifications page or write to the admissions team
• International Foundation Year: 80% average in senior high school year 3 with 80% in relevant subjects, and IELTS 5.5

Transfer applicants:

• Second-year entry: meet first-year entry requirements and learning outcomes plus a minimum first-year average; no entry to Level 3

Not given on the pages used here, or to check

• How gaokao and Chinese high school results are used; the application fee; a separate deadline for international applicants; whether biology courses share the 13 January equal consideration date
• Which scholarships apply to international biology students; the minimum average for second-year entry
• Credit transfer from other universities; requirements for Sport and Exercise Sciences and Biological Sciences (Biotechnology with Enterprise)
• How fee status is decided; visa and proof-of-funds requirements

Sources: University of Leeds, Biological Sciences undergraduate; Flexible degrees; BSc or Integrated Masters; Industrial placement year; International students; Faculty admissions guidance 2027/28; Biological Sciences BSc; Biology BSc; Biochemistry BSc; Genetics BSc; Microbiology BSc; Neuroscience BSc; Pharmacology BSc; Zoology BSc; Ecology and Conservation Biology BSc; Biomedical Sciences BSc; International entry and English language requirements; International foundation routes; International Foundation Year entry requirements; International scholarships and funding; International students; Undergraduate funding overview; Scholarships search; Admissions qualifications (by country). Courses, offers and fees follow the course pages marked 2027 entry (2027/28); check the University of Leeds website and UCAS for the latest details.