Don’t you just find living things interesting? How they survive, how their bodies work, and how they interact with their environment can keep turning around the gears on your brain for hours. Biology is fascinating, for it not only studies the identifying traits and characteristics of a life form, but also digs deeper into the cellular composition, genetic material, and roles in a given environment.
A degree in biology can lead to diverse and well-paying career opportunities. For some, on the other hand, biology is the foundation they need to excel in medicine or law. In short, an academic background in biology leaves you with a flexible and promising future.
Pursue your biological sciences studies in the grand lands of the United Kingdom! Below are the 5 best universities to study biology in the United Kingdom.
Top Universities for Biology in the United Kingdom
1. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge consistently ranks among the top 10 universities around the world. In the United Kingdom, it also carries the most prestige among other institutions. The University of Cambridge is also a leading university for biology in the United Kingdom that excels in various academic disciplines.
The School of Biological Sciences supports the university’s overarching mission to provide excellent education and research opportunities. The School manages other centers and departments, each specializing in a subfield of biology.
Students at the undergraduate level accomplish fundamental and elective course offerings from specific subject areas like botany, zoology, and ecology. Graduate students, on the other hand, have the opportunity to select which area they would like to focus on.
The School of Biological Sciences hones the students’ problem-solving skills to contribute to the school’s pursuit of health and medical breakthroughs.
2. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is another elite university based in Oxford, England. It consistently ranks high among world university rankings and per subject rankings. The University of Oxford has become a staple brand for higher education in the United Kingdom. It takes on a rigorous approach for all its degrees like biology.
The Department of Biology at the University of Oxford delivers an outstanding biology program in the United Kingdom and is a newly-established institutional body. Merging zoological and plants sciences, the department employs a more holistic approach in teaching biology. The department mainly focuses on introducing the vast world of biology to its students, utilizing a cross-disciplinary approach to get students accustomed to various subjects overlapping with general biology.
Undergraduate students have the option to pursue a specialized track in their sophomore year or proceed with a generalist curriculum. After completing three years of study, students can choose to proceed with graduation or continue to an optional fourth year dedicated to a supervised project.
The graduate program for biology involves research-heavy work. Doctoral research focuses on the student’s desired topic or field of specialization; training also overlaps with supervision from the division of mathematics, physics, and life sciences.
3. Imperial College London
Imperial College London is an excellent institution for biology in the United Kingdom that earns international recognition for its exclusive concentration on science, technology, business, and medicine. An institution gearing on the path of development and innovation, Imperial College London produces some of the United Kingdom’s most prized academic publications. With its prowess in the sciences, the university provides quality teaching for biology.
The Department of Life Sciences supervises the training and education of students enrolled in programs dealing with life forms, such as biology. Unlike most biology programs, the department offers exclusive degrees for specialist fields like biochemistry and biotechnology. Nonetheless, the department’s team of seasoned faculty mentor the students to become future leaders in biological sciences.
The department also houses state-of-the-art facilities to hone students’ laboratory skills and etiquette. Research labs and equipment for stem culture, nuclear magnetic resonance, and the like keep the students and faculty ahead of the game.
4. University College London
The University College London, more commonly referred to as UCL, is a major research university and a top school for biology in the United Kingdom. It takes pride in witnessing the largest admissions for postgraduate studies in the whole of the United Kingdom. UCL also produces one of the greatest numbers of research publications within an academic year. The university’s academic performance is evident across all its offered disciplines, such as biology.
The Division of Biosciences at the University College London facilitates the students’ journey on to becoming the next generation’s leaders advocating for sustainable acts of preserving biodiversity and treating diseases. Biological sciences present a positive career outlook in different industries like health services, educations, and pharmaceuticals.
An undergraduate program in biological sciences acquaint students with a wide scope of fundamental courses. From there, students can confidently take on classes further detailing subjects like genetics, zoology, and biodiversity and conservation. These are some academic tracks the students can choose from to take in their sophomore years.
While most undergraduates join the workforce after graduation, some choose to stick around and pursue a master’s degree. With a master’s degree, you can specialize in a subject you are most passionate about.
5. The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university situated in Manchester, England. It is the third-largest university in the United Kingdom, attracting international students from countries all over the world. Built on the principle that every profession can be based on scientific thinking, the University of Manchester excels in the sciences, with an acclaimed program for biology.
The Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health employ a multidisciplinary approach in addressing health and medical concerns through biological sciences. The department produces the largest number of healthcare graduates in North-West England, owing to the success of a highly integrated faculty.
The faculty supervises the training of biosciences students, preparing them mostly for the path to medicine. On top of comprehensive lectures, the faculty engages students in hands-on laboratory work and sends them out to conduct research. Such an approach ensures that students are capable of manipulating theory and concepts into real-life situations and solving them with a realist approach.
The University of Manchester offers biology and biosciences studies to undergraduate and graduate students.
6. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is rated as one of the best universities anyone can study in the United Kingdom. The serene environment of this university is what makes it a unique location for national and international students. It offers a wide range of biological sciences courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students to choose from and has some of the best teachers for these courses.
Within its biology courses, you can also focus on cell biology, genetics, biotechnology, and many other fields. You can be sure that whatever area you choose to specialize in, there are adequate facilities to make you great at it, giving another reason why it is one of the top biology schools in the UK.
7. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is known in Biological Sciences; it ranks the tenth best in biology in the UK. Although this does not mean there are no other disciplines offered in the course, it means it is your go-to university if you want to major in Biological Sciences.
Furthermore, as one of Scotland’s oldest universities, it is well known for its scientific research and offer of extensive biological courses. The application process is not as complicated as you will get in other places. Once you meet the requirements provided on the website and have all your documents in place, you can get started on any biology course of your choice offered at the University of Glasgow.
8. University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is one of the best places to study biology in the UK, especially thanks to its flexible study modules. In this university, those courses that appear complex are broken down into understandable bits, which makes it easy for every student in the class to understand. Most of its biological courses blend biology with other related subjects, including Oral Biology, Mathematical Biology, and Molecular Genetics.
9. University of York
One of the many challenges students who want to study Biology face is getting into an accredited university. It is not enough to know that a school offers biology courses, you must ensure it has the required accreditations. The University of York offers biological courses, which the Royal Society of Biology accredits.
The accreditation of this university is an assurance that it is one of the best places to get a quality education in biology. A biology degree from the University of York establishes your academic competence, thus increasing your employability.
10. University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth offers excelling biology courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. What makes the university one of United Kingdom’s best biology universities is that its courses are practical, ensuring you get the best knowledge in the course.
The theoretical aspect of biology programs is great because they help you understand the basics of how things work. However, if you must make the most of your learning experience, practice is key, and that is what you get at the University of Portsmouth.
11. Durham University
Getting into a research-oriented institute for a Biology degree is a fun experience for anyone who is passionate about Biology, and that is why you should consider Durham University. It offers research-oriented biology programs for native as well as international students. With a biology degree from Durham University, your career opportunities are wide as you establish a rock-solid knowledge of biology.
12. Lancaster University
Lancaster University is a great university that offers biological courses with a rich set of applicable skills. Many endearing biological ecosystems surrounding the university make it one of the top institutions in United Kingdom for biology. Here, you will not only get an opportunity to learn the theory and practice of biological experiments, but you also get to be a part of different learning skills. As a member of any of the biological communities available at this university, you can get access to the latest updates and opportunities in the biology community.
13. University of Warwick
Both home and international students seek to study biological courses at the University of Warwick for various reasons ranging from quality learning experiences to top-notch laboratories. The most prominent reason is that the institution emphasizes the importance of cutting-edge research in preparing students for the future. Here, students are taught the history of Biology and the present state of things and are adequately prepared for what to expect in the future.
14. Ulster University
Ulster University offers quality and affordable education in biology programs, with a unique teaching technique that leaves students highly employable. Its courses are practical, inculcating in students the skills needed to take on global challenges. It also offers well-equipped laboratories for students to carry out research and experiments on different biology courses. All these reasons already makes Ulster University one of the top universities for biology in the United Kingdom.
As a national or an international student, you will like the atmosphere at Ulster University because of the high relational skills the school prioritizes. Also, you can enjoy many opportunities available for students to partake in conferences and events that allow you to network with top people in the Biology field.
15. University of St Andrews
The third-oldest university in the UK, the University of St Andrews is another excellent destination for biological studies, offering invaluable studying experiences. Though one of the oldest in the country, it has continued to improve on its standard, making it a more-rounded research institute. It offers a wide range of research-based biological courses so that students have many options to choose from.
The quality of teaching here is also top-notch, making it the desired destination of many biology enthusiasts globally. You get value for your fees here at St Andrews as the school positions you to leverage the many opportunities provided by the ever-changing labor market.
16. University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a research-oriented university that offers a comprehensive range of degrees, including undergraduate and postgraduate. Founded in 1876, the University has a decade-long reputation for academic excellence and is often associated with a pioneering, independent spirit. The University of Bristol is one of the leading research-intensive institutions in the United Kingdom.
Its curriculum is rich and informed by the latest degrees and research taught by professional and expert academics. About one-quarter of the university’s students are international students, with students from at least 150 countries creating a diverse community. Considering that, the University of Bristol makes it to the top Biology universities for international students in the United Kingdom.
17. University of Bath
The University of Bath is renowned in the UK and globally for its excellence in research as well as teaching. It is also known for its diverse, welcoming community and how it provides students with an exceptional readiness for the workplace. Located on the edge of the city, the university campus offers sporting, cultural, and social opportunities for its students. Furthermore, the University of Bath campus is one of the safest in the country.
It is also one of the first institutions to get a national police-approved security award. The University of Bath boasts a vibrant student community, with up to 3,600 international students from more than 145 nations.
18. Brunel University
Brunel University is one of the finest and most sophisticated universities in the UK to study biology. In your time here, you will learn about cellular biology, biological psychology, and anatomy, among others. The diverse student community and the fast-paced learning environment are what make it a choice destination for many national and international students.
The University of Brunel is known for offering practical and analytical skills that prepare students for the ever-changing biological world. You don’t have to pay through your nose to study here, as you can get started on any of the programs offered at affordable prices.
19. Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast is almost two hundred years old, making it one of the oldest higher institutions in the UK. It features a historic campus, which is surrounded by a diverse, buzzing community, making it an ideal place for international students. Furthermore, the university is a member of the Russell Group of research-based universities in the United Kingdom.
Queen’s University Belfast is the best place for research-oriented students who want access to world-class education and research. Additionally, the institution boasts cutting-edge teaching facilities designed to help students fulfill their potential, thus preparing them for the future. With these in mind, it’s no wonder Queen’s University Belfast has some of the world’s top Biology programs for international students in the United Kingdom.
20. University of Strathclyde
Set in the heart of the buzzing Glasgow city, the University of Strathclyde is another great institution to study biology. For more than two hundred years, the university has been dishing out academic excellence and world-class research. The University of Strathclyde offers students innovative and flexible learning to help them prepare for their careers.
Furthermore, in its efforts to respond to global challenges, the university works with leading academics. The goal is to produce useful research and learning for the technological age. Also, the university boasts a large student community, up to twenty-five thousand, out of which 13% are international students.
21. The University of Sheffield Clearing
The University of Sheffield is one of the leading universities under the Russell Group, boasting world-class facilities and credentials. The higher institution is known for its commitment to offering students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, life-enhancing research and education. Besides this, the university offers innovative learning, which, combined with the other offerings, is designed to prepare students for the modern age.
The university boasts a large student community of more than thirty thousand students, out of which 32% are from over 140 countries. The University of Sheffield Clearing is an excellent institution to study biology, thanks to its inclusive, friendly, and collaborative community.
22. University of Surrey
When it comes to global excellence and outstanding performance, the University of Surrey is one of the leading British universities and is among the best Biology universities for the international students in the UK. The higher institution is a global community filled with people and ideas, all of which are dedicated to life-changing research and education. It boasts an attractive and thriving student community, providing outstanding teaching and practical learning to empower students for success personally and professionally.
Furthermore, the University of Surrey offers an exceptional professional training program for students, offering them huge career opportunities. Furthermore, the university has a diverse student community, with over twenty thousand students, including international students.
23. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham among the founding members of the elite Russell Group of universities in the UK. The university offers an exceptional student experience; apart from high-quality teaching, students also get to build lifelong friendships. The University of Birmingham offers world-class research to nurture talents and support students throughout their personal and professional lives.
It offers an attractive, green and spacious campus environment as well as historic buildings just some minutes from Birmingham. Furthermore, the University of Birmingham has a vibrant student community and is home to more than ten thousand students from about 150 nations.
24. Cardiff University
Founded in 1883, Cardiff University is also a member of the Russell Group of UK higher institutions. Cardiff, as a center of learning, has an international reputation for excellent teaching and research, which it had been building since it was founded. As one of the top Biology universities in the United Kingdom for international students, it offers compact but attractive campuses, great student accommodation, and a popular Students’ Union.
Also, it has a vibrant and welcoming international student community and worldwide partnerships to offer students unique opportunities. Cardiff University also offers a variety of dedicated support services for international students, including airport pickups and pre-departure advice.
25. University of Southampton
The University of Southampton boasts an inclusive and welcoming global community, with students from over 130 countries. The university is known for bringing ideas and people together across its seven campuses, including five Southampton, one Winchester, and one Malaysia campuses. The university inspires and gives students the support and space they need to grow, providing adequate education facilities.
Furthermore, the University of Southampton has pioneering research that has made it have a global impact. Meanwhile, the university has more than forty cultural and international groups for connecting international communities.
We hope that this article on Best Universities for Biology in the United Kingdom was helpful. To know more information on how you can study in the UK, check out the Available Programs for International Students.
