Reproductive Biology BSc (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Biomedical Sciences

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

C142

Award

BSc (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Multiple campuses

Start date

September 2026

School

Edinburgh Medical School: Biomedical Sciences

College

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

Reproductive biology aims to understand the scientific principles that govern reproduction in humans and other mammals.

You will study the requirements for reproduction, including: 

  • the production of sufficient numbers of viable gametes
  • fertilisation
  • implantation in a receptive uterus
  • formation of a placenta that can sustain and nurture a baby
  • delivery at full term

Advances in this field provided the knowledge behind assisted conception. It has also revolutionised reproductive medicine and veterinary practice.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme benefits

  • You will join an interdisciplinary programme that provides the knowledge, skills, and personal and professional development appropriate for globally competitive graduates of our key disciplines.
  • You will have the opportunity to undertake projects with our leading biomedical researchers addressing major global biomedical challenges.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Reproductive Biology

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Reproductive Biology.

Tuition fees for this programme

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

Our Biomedical Sciences programmes have a common structure in Years 1 and 2. This provides a firm grounding in the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for all of our specialist subject areas. We will introduce you to Reproductive Biology in your compulsory courses in Years 1 and 2.

In Years 3 and 4, you will focus on exploring your chosen subject area in depth. You will have the opportunity to move between honours subject areas at the end of Years 2 and 3.

The main area you will study in Year 1 is the importance of biomedical sciences to medicine and health. You will learn how biomedical science discoveries and breakthroughs have led to medical and scientific advancement.

You will take three compulsory courses covering:

  • biomedical sciences
  • medical biology
  • molecular and cellular biology

You will also choose courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical options. We expect you to take at least one course in biological chemistry.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 2, your studies will focus on the foundational understanding of biomedical sciences. This includes essential learning in biomedical disciplines.

You will take three compulsory courses:

  • Biomedical Sciences 2
  • Microorganisms, Infection & Immunity 2
  • Cells to Organisms 2

You will also choose courses from a range of biomedical and non-biomedical options.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 3, your studies will focus more on your chosen subject area within biomedical sciences. This year, your courses will consider the concept of developing knowledge from experiments.

You will study two compulsory courses: 

  • Biomedical Sciences 3
  • Reproductive Biology 3

You will also take a combination of compulsory and optional courses that broaden your understanding of your chosen subject.

Additionally, in this year, you will develop key graduate attributes, including analytical and communication skills.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In your final year, your studies will centre on the idea of research in practice.

You will study two compulsory courses:

  • Reproductive Biology Project Planning
  • Research Skills in Reproductive Biology

You will also choose two option courses that cover cutting-edge topics in more depth.

With individual support from a supervisor, you will complete a major research project. This can involve:

  • original, laboratory-based research
  • data/literature analysis-based research
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We use a blend of learning and teaching approaches.

In-person teaching includes: 

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • discussion groups
  • workshops
  • laboratory work

This is blended with digital teaching using our virtual learning environment. Here you will find electronic resources, including:

  • video recordings
  • laboratory simulations
  • discussion boards
  • supplementary reading and reference material

The importance of research underpins all years of study on the programme. You will be taught by academic staff who are actively involved in internationally recognised research.

The balance between teacher-directed learning and independent personal study is an important element of student learning.

In Years 3 and 4, the emphasis moves towards self-directed study and discussion-based learning to enhance your learning experience.

Assessment

We use in-course assessment and exams in all years.

Your degree classification will be based on your performance in Years 3 and 4.

A typical Year 1/2 timetable:

Monday
  • 9am lecture
  • 10am practical
  • 11am practical
  • 1pm lecture
  • 3pm tutorial
Tuesday
  • 9am lecture
  • 2pm lecture
  • 3pm tutorial
Wednesday
  • 9am lecture
Thursday
  • 10am practical
  • 11am practical
  • 12pm lecture
  • 2pm practical
  • 3pm practical
  • 4pm practical
Friday
  • 9am lecture
  • 1pm lecture
  • 2pm lecture

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a Student Adviser and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. Academic support is primarily provided through your course teams, and more general academic guidance is available through the Academic Cohort Lead.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

Teaching is delivered by academic staff who provide an outstanding research-led learning experience that fosters individual intellectual development.

Where you will study

Study location

Most of your teaching will take place in the University's Central Area and at the King's Buildings campus.

In your final year, some teaching will take place in: 

  • The Chancellor's Building at BioQuarter
  • The Western General Hospital

Academic facilities

All campus sites offer state-of-the-art lecture theatres and laboratory facilities.

Study materials are available online. You will have full access to the University's libraries and computer laboratories.

Career paths

The broad analytical, scientific and personal skills you gain on this programme will equip you for a variety of careers.

This programme will particularly appeal to those planning: 

  • a career in biomedical research or a related area
  • a graduate-entry career in industry, management or the public sector

Previous graduates have been employed in science and non-science sectors, including: 

  • teaching
  • marketing
  • accountancy
  • policy research

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

Many of our graduates choose to go on to further study before entering successful academic or industry-based research careers.

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

Apply to one Biomedical Sciences degree

Apply for only one Biomedical Sciences degree. If you apply for multiple degrees within the Biomedical Sciences suite only one application will be taken forward for consideration with the remaining applications being processed as unsuccessful. You will have the opportunity to switch between degrees in later years provided the required courses have been passed. 

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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Discover Uni data

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

82%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Reproductive Biology (Full time) at University of Edinburgh

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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82%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Reproductive Biology (Full time) at University of Edinburgh

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab