Our BSc Biological Sciences (including Foundation Year) could be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entry requirements for a three-year version of our life sciences courses and you want a programme that improves your skills to support your academic performance.

Open to UK and EU applicants, this four-year course includes a Foundation Year (known as Year Zero) which is delivered by our Essex Pathways Department, followed by a further three years of study in our School of Life Sciences.

During Year Zero you will study on our Life Sciences Pathway which will cover topics such as an Introduction to Biology, Chemistry for Biology, and Mathematics and Statistics for Life Sciences. At the end of Year Zero all students who pass the Life Sciences Pathway will have a choice of which course to progress with. As well as BSc Biological Sciences, students on the Life Sciences Pathway could also study BSc Biomedical Science or BSc Marine Biology.

From Year One of BSc Biological Sciences you will cover the breadth of biology from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems, forming a strong basis from which you can specialise from as early as your second year of study. You'll discover how new developments in technology are driving current research, with research-based teaching delivered by leading scientists investigating global biological challenges.

The vast and diverse world of living organisms offers you a huge range of opportunities for study and work, and at Essex we give you the flexibility to shape your degree to suit your interests. Your first year with our School of Life Sciences offers broad insights into cell and molecular biology, genetics, ecology and evolution, as well as an overview of animal, plant and microorganism diversity. Our Integrative Biology pathway allows you to choose from a broad selection of modules across different disciplines. Alternatively, you can customise your degree to specialise in an area you enjoy most, choosing from either Molecular and Cell Biology, Biotechnology, or Ecology and Conservation Biology.

With our School of Life Sciences you'll receive hands-on experience to develop important practical skills both in the lab and in the field. In your final year you'll carry out an independent research project allowing you to pursue your own interests and play your own part in adding to the ever-growing knowledge within biological sciences.

Were ranked 54th (14th in UK) for promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for climate action (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024).