General entry requirements

A level:

• AAB to include Biology and Chemistry
• OR AAA to include Chemistry and either Mathematics, Physics or Statistics
• Plus one of the following:
  • GCSE Biology grade B/grade 6
  • GCSE Double Science grades B, B/grades 6, 6
  • AS Level Biology grade B
  • Grade A in a Biology-related EPQ
• You must also achieve a pass in the science practical assessment (if applicable).

IB:

• 36 to include 5 at Higher Level in Biology and 5 at Higher Level in Chemistry
• OR 38 to include 5 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 5 at Higher Level in either Mathematics or Physics
• Plus one of the following:
  • 6 at IB Standard Level in Biology
  • GCSE Biology grade B/grade 6
  • GCSE Double Science grades B, B/grades 6, 6

BTEC:

• We welcome applications from students taking BTECs as long as essential subject requirements are met.

Additional requirements:

You will also need to meet our English Language requirements.

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International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Find out more about international entry requirements.

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Contextual data and differential offers

Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in the Realising Opportunities programme, or who meet two of the contextual data criteria. Differential offers will be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer (to a minimum of BBB).

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Warwick International Foundation Programme (IFP)

All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).

Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.

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Taking a gap year

Applications for deferred entry welcomed.

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Interviews

We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.

Year One

Molecules, Cells and Organisms

You'll study this module as the essential foundation for most other modules taught in the School of Life Sciences. You'll gain the basic knowledge you need of molecular and cellular aspects of biology, and also become familiar with whole-organism and developmental biology, in the context of evolution.

Agents of Infectious Disease

You will start by gaining a thorough foundation in microbiology and virology, using infectious diseases as a common link to promote your understanding. Through your study of epidemiology, you will learn to appreciate the way that diseases spread and the methods used to investigate this spread. On completion, you can expect to understand the role of various structures associated with the bacterial cell in causing a range of diseases, and appreciate the structure of viruses and how this relates to their capacity to cause disease and the host response to viral challenge. This will equip you with the necessary theoretical foundations to underpin your future studies.

Physiology and Metabolism

On this module, you will learn how parts of the body function and work together in the whole organism. You will study the physiology of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and special senses. Your study of metabolism will help you to understand the generation of energy within the body, anabolism, the role of enzymes, and specific functions such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway and photosynthesis. You will then combine your learning to gain a thorough understanding of the way the body adapts to environmental conditions such as altitude, depth, cold and heat.

Physical Chemistry

On this module, you will gain an understanding of the fundamental physical principles that underlie biochemical reactions and the functional properties of biomolecules. In particular, you will gain greater insight into the thermodynamics and kinetics of biological processes.

Quantitative Skills for Biology

All biological scientists need to understand and analyse quantitative data. So, this module will see you learning to use statistical methods for analysing and summarising experimental data (for example, from your lab classes), and learning the basic principles for modelling biological populations.

Organic Chemistry

This module, taught in the Chemistry department, provides you with a basic understanding of organic chemistry. It will allow you to have a fundamental look at organic chemical bonding, structure, reactivity, mechanism and synthesis of simple functional groups.

Tutorials and Laboratories

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Year Two

Tutorials and Laboratories

Molecular Cell Biology

On this module, you will gain a sound knowledge of the organisation, complexity and essential processes that occur in the genomes and information-processing mechanisms in all three domains of life. You will study the molecular biology that underlies fundamental cellular processes, including the cytoskeleton in cellular structure, function and motility, the mechanisms that control cell proliferation and genome stability, protein processing in secretory pathway organelles, and programmed cell death in eukaryotic cells.

Enzymology

You will become familiar with the basic methods of studying enzymes, understand the mechanisms whereby enzymes are able to catalyse reactions and appreciate how individual reactions are controlled and integrated into the metabolic pathways of the cell.

Tools for Biochemical Discovery

On this module, you will examine the principles by which key techniques in the field of biochemical discovery provide biochemical information. This will involve you studying structural techniques such as X-ray, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy. As well as, biophysical and analytical techniques such as circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and fluorescence. In the second half of the course, you will widen your studies to analyse biological interactions through case studies, covering topics such as proteomics, high-resolution light microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, isothermal titration calorimetry and immunoprecipitation.

Protein Structure and Function

Basic concepts of protein structure are built upon in order to understand the structure/function relationships of proteins in terms of the chemistry of their component amino acid residues.

Neuropharmacology

Neuropharmacology is the study of how chemical agents influence bodily functions in both health and disease, and indeed how the body deals with these chemicals. The module will concentrate on the use of drug-based therapeutics in a range of human diseases and will bridge the gap between basic cell signalling, biochemistry and the complex patho-physiology and treatment of the diseases.

Molecular Endocrinology

This module provides you with a foundation for the further study of endocrinology at the cellular and molecular level and a firm basis for understanding normal hormonal control.

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Year Three

Tutorials and Research Project

Protein Targeting

You will be applying the knowledge of molecular and cell biology you have gained in previous years to protein targeting, a field of fundamental importance and research interest in cell biology. You will gain a deeper appreciation of the molecular nature of targeting signals and the appropriate transport apparatus, and an enhanced understanding of the specific protein–protein interactions required at each step of a given transport pathway. You will scrutinise the mechanisms by which large globular proteins are translocated across membrane bilayers, including where these are impermeable even to protons. This is a substantial opportunity to apply your knowledge in a realistic, research-led, practical environment.

Structural Molecular Biology

It is becoming ever more apparent that to completely understand a protein’s biological mechanism, three-dimensional structural information is essential. On this module, you will have the opportunity to explore and apply modern approaches and practical techniques to the study of biological macromolecules, building on your previous study of biophysical techniques and protein structures. You will pay particular attention to the structural techniques used to elucidate fundamental aspects and problems in biology-specific fields of interest in structural biology, including protein-nucleic acid interactions, protein–ligand interactions, protein folding and structure, macromolecular structures and biophysics.

Dynamics of Biological Systems

The study of non-autonomous dynamical systems can shed new light on biological systems. On this module, you will learn how our understanding of cells and cellular pathways can be enhanced by considering them as entities that can change their behaviour both in space and time.

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Year Four

Research Skills Training

Extended Research Project

Extended Research Project in Industry

Selection of optional modules that current students are studying

• Science Communication
• Immunology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Oncology
• Principles of Development
• Integrative Neuroscience
• Synthetic Biology
• Introduction to Secondary Teaching in Biology
• Interdisciplinary and Business modules

Tuition fees

Find out more about fees and funding

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Additional course costs

There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.

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Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

We believe there should be no barrier to talent. That's why we are committed to offering a scholarship that makes it easier for gifted, ambitious international learners to pursue their academic interests at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. This new scheme will offer international fee-paying students 250 tuition fee discounts ranging from full fees to awards of £13,000 to £2,000 for the full duration of your Undergraduate degree course.

Find out more about the Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarship 2021

Helping you find the right career

Our department has a dedicated professionally qualified Senior Careers Consultant to support you. They offer impartial advice and guidance, together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Life Sciences Networking Event
• Careers in Science
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• Mock Interviews for Life Sciences students
• Interested in Careers in Scientific Publishing

Find out more about careers support at Warwick.