Biology at Hull is all about tackling global challenges, from genetic engineering through to climate change.
You’ll gain real world practical skills in the lab and in the field, and learn to communicate important topics in biology to diverse audiences. Plus, you'll study in a supportive and friendly department which includes winners of the Royal Society of Biology’s Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award.
You can also opt to take a year abroad, studying overseas at one of our partner universities. Gain new skills, build international contacts, and immerse yourself in a different culture and environment.
Joint 3rd in the UK
for Value Added Score
The Guardian University Rankings, 2026
£200K invested
in new teaching equipment
Dive in
and train to become a PADI-certified diver1
Field trips
in the UK and overseas2
Learn hands on
in industry-standard facilities
Award-winning
academics teach on this course3
About this course
This degree reflects the breadth of modern biological sciences, with core topics including genetics and genomics, microbiology, evolution, cell biology and biological diversity.
We’ll help you build your degree around your interests, like molecular genomics, toxicology, applied ecology or other specialist topics. Fascinated by human biology? You can also take modules from biomedical sciences. Or if you’re interested in all areas of biology you can take a broad range of options – the choice is yours.
You'll get plenty of hands-on training in the lab and field and you'll work on mini-projects throughout your course.
You can also take one of our residential field course options, including overseas trips to Brazil or Mallorca, where you’ll learn essential skills for ecological careers, or opt to spend a year studying abroad at one of our partner universities. Gain new skills, build international contacts, and immerse yourself in a different culture and environment.
Other facilities include super-computing power for genomic analysis, our 33,000 litre tropical aquarium, and a dedicated team of teaching technicians to support your skill development.
It's in our DNA to make a difference.
Foundation year
A foundation year at the University of Hull gives you a solid grounding of knowledge and boosts your academic skills, so you can progress on to your chosen programme with confidence.
The foundation course you enrol on may not be an exact match to your chosen degree, but don’t worry. Our foundation courses combine content from multiple related courses in the same subject area, giving you more flexibility and choice about the degree path you take.
For example, if you apply for a Music Foundation Year, you’ll join our Media Foundation course. So, if you decide to switch - say, from Music to Graphic Design - you can do so without restarting your foundation year.
Module options
Each year, you’ll study modules worth a certain number of credits, and you need 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits – so you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more. In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120. Some modules are compulsory, some are optional, so you can build a course that’s right for you.
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Preparing for Learning in Higher Education
This module is designed to give you the best possible start to your university studies, making sure you have all the essential skills you need to succeed. Through lectures and workshops we will teach you how to write in an academic style, how to find quality sources, and how to reference work, culminating in writing up a mini-research project.
core
20 credits
Introduction to Biological Sciences 1
This module will provide you with the basic biological science knowledge that will enable you to transition successfully into the certificate stage of your chosen programme of studies. You will gain basic knowledge of cell biology, biological molecules, energy processes like respiration, neurobiology and many other topics. Alongside the theoretical knowledge, you will also have the opportunity to learn how to use a microscope and how to collect data in the laboratory, in a specialist sport science facility or using psychological techniques. You will also learn how to present and write about those data professionally. The teaching team for this module consists of lecturers in the disciplines connected to your programmes of study, so there will be a strong connection to your chosen subject area.
core
20 credits
Group Challenge
In a group, you'll formulate questions that can be tested by scientific investigations and take part in weekly workshops with academics.
core
20 credits
Introduction to Biological Sciences 2
Explore a range of biological topics relating to whole organism biology, diversity and adaptations. Through lectures, workshops and practical sessions you will delve in to the world of classification and identification, natural selection and evolution, food security, population biology, environmental monitoring and human impacts.
core
20 credits
Foundation Maths Skills
This module delivers core mathematics skills at level two and three to give a solid basis for future studies. You will study the following topics: manipulation of numerical data and converting between different units of measurement; exponentials and logarithms; and standard form and problems involving ratio, proportion and percentages.
optional
20 credits
Foundation Mathematics A
You will study pure mathematics topics, including proof, algebra, trigonometry, differentiation, integration, exponentials, logarithms, sequences and series. The applied topic is probability and statistics.
optional
20 credits
Foundation in Data Analysis
You'll be introduced to different ways of analysing qualitative and quantitative data, learn how to code qualitative data and use descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse quantitative data.
compulsory
20 credits
Microbiology
How does microbiology govern our world? In this module you will learn the basic principles of microbiology, before exploring the interplay between microbes, ourselves, and the wider environment.
compulsory
20 credits
Cells and Organelles
Explore the fascinating inner workings of cells, giving you a foundation in areas such as cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry.
compulsory
20 credits
Our facilities
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Dr David Lunt
Course overview
3 mins
Extracting DNA
Course Highlight
2 mins
Teaching Facilities
University life
2 mins
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University life
2 mins
Featured academics
We're tackling cancer and cardiovascular disease with the cutting-edge biomarker and medical imaging technologies we developed here at Hull, in collaboration with colleagues around the world.
We're committed to sharing our knowledge with and inspiring our students.
Dr Africa Gomez
Senior Lecturer
Africa is an evolutionary biologist whose research centres on the impact of sexual systems on population structure, phylogeography and genomics. She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers and obtained her PhD at the University of Valencia.
Dr Domino Joyce
Senior Lecturer
Domino became interested in conservation genetics during her undergraduate degree, working on UK butterflies with Natural England for her PhD. A switch in allegiance from insects to fishes then led to a Leverhulme Fellowship and a teaching career.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
When it comes to applying to university, you'll need a certain number of UCAS points. Different qualifications and grades are worth a different amount of points. For this course, you'll need 80 UCAS points.
For applicants with qualifications in subjects other than those key to the degree, we will usually require a minimum of 80 points from A levels, BTEC, or other equivalent qualifications.
We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.
But it's not just about the grades - we'll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.
Have questions? Our admissions team will be happy to help.
Typical offer
80 UCAS points
A levels
CDD
BTEC
MMP
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Tuition fees for 2027 entry have not been confirmed. Please use 2026-27 information as a guide.
For UK students, our standard course fee is £9,790 per year. Keep in mind that some courses are longer - for example, spending your third year abroad will make your degree four years in total.
If you choose to study a foundation year as part of your course, the fee is £9,790.
Planning a year abroad? This costs £1,465 for UK students.
How do I pay for it?
You can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your course. Once you’ve successfully applied for this, you don’t need to do anything else – the money is sent straight to us.
You can also take out a maintenance loan of up to £10,544 a year to cover your living costs, depending on your household income.
Remember, you won’t start paying your loans back until you’ve left university and earn more than £25,000 per year.
See our full fees and funding information for more details and to find out what support we can offer.
Foundation Year Fee
£9,790
Standard Tuition Fee
£9,790 / year
The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index.
Future prospects
The field, analytic and lab skills you’ll learn here are much in demand, and you’ll get the chance to engage with potential employers in a range of local organisations and businesses.
Our graduates have gained jobs in bioscience industries, teaching, veterinary medicine, ecological consultancy and scientists in government and non-government organisations. Our students also go on to further study through either Masters or PhD level qualifications, becoming scientific leaders of the future.
Become part of the next generation of futuremakers
Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.
The standard way to apply is through UCAS. This will give you the chance to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject, as well as providing us with your academic qualifications.
Not ready to apply yet?
Visit our next Open Day, and see all that the University of Hull has to offer. Talk to our lecturers about your subject, find out what university is really like from our current students, and take a tour of our beautiful campus and amazing facilities.
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Choose subsidised dive training as part of our Ecology module and become a PADI-certified Advanced Open Water Diver. Extra fee may be payable.
Most overseas field trips run in the summer between the second and third year. There is an extra charge but the trips are subsidised. Destinations are subject to change.
Our department includes winners of the Royal Society of Biology's Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award.
All modules on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.