Degree Structure
Our four-year programme lets you explore different areas of biology before specialising in a chosen area.
Degrees at Scottish universities are typically one year longer than their equivalent in the rest of the UK. The four-year degree has many advantages over a three-year degree. This longer, broader-based structure gives breadth and flexibility which allows you the time to explore core biology and advised learning for biologists, as well as the opportunity to take subjects from other areas of the University.
Our 4-year degrees lead to BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences specialised within one of our Honours programme disciplines. So you would graduate with, for example, BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (Biochemistry). We also have a BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences with Management programme.
The School of Biological Sciences offers 12 Honours programmes in the following specialisations:
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Regardless of your initial UCAS choice, you make final decisions on an Honours programme (from the 12 offered) at the end of year 2. This gives you time to explore all the different biological areas before making your choice.
Read more about our Honours Programmes on the "What Can You Apply For?" page.
Year-by-year
You'll work towards your degree by taking courses worth a total of 120 credits each year. In the first three years, this is normally 6 courses per year, each worth 20 credits; 3 courses in each semester. Some outside courses may be worth 40 credits and would span both semesters.
It looks a bit different in the final (Senior Honours) year. About half your time is spent on a research project, and the remaining credits are split into core and optional courses which are often 10 credits.
In each year of your studies, you will have compulsory courses that you have to take, and you will also be able to choose optional courses. In the early years these can come from across the University and in the later years they tend to be more biological sciences focussed.
The final degree classification is based on your marks in year 3 (Junior Honours) and year 4 (Senior Honours). You must pass year 1 and year 2 to progress to Junior and Senior Honours.
All Biological Sciences students study the same core courses in year 1. Each Semester has 2 separate, but integrated compulsory courses where you will be taught biological concepts in a holistic way at all levels from the more molecular and mechanistic to whole ecosystem. You'll also learn valuable skills such as programming, project and research work, and reflection, helping you to explore how you learn best.
Our teaching has moved away from the emphasis on traditional style lectures and more towards a skills based, research driven curriculum. Not only will you learn key concepts but you’ll be doing it in an investigative way, collaboratively asking and, as you learn more, answering your own questions. You will often have some preparatory work to do before you come to class, this could involve watching a video and then thinking about what you have learned ready to contribute to a live in-person class discussion session.
These courses provide a broad foundational understanding of biological concepts as well as a firm grasp of practical and analytical skills that will help you prepare for your future.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Please note: course information on the following links is correct for the 23-24 academic year, things can change in future years. | |
| Biology 1A: Variation | Biology 1C: Discovery |
| Biology 1B: Life | Biology 1D: Environment |
As optional course choices, lots of our students choose to take some chemistry courses specifically designed for biologists. You can also choose from courses offered across the University such as business, history, geography or a language. The choice is flexible, so long as it fits in with your timetable of core courses. The depth and breadth of knowledge gained in your year 1 courses will prepare you for your year 2 studies.
Our Year 2 courses build on your learning from Year 1 with a continued focus on practical and analytical skills, while becoming progressively more specialised. All students study the same core courses which cover topics such as:
- DNA replication and repair
- natural selection and the origin of species
- cellular metabolic processes
- regulation and control of biological systems
- programming for data analysis
- data science techniques for interpretation of biological data
You may also choose to take courses that focus on specific areas of biology such as:
- evolution of animal body plans and physiological systems across phyla
- modern plant biology
- microbial form and function
- biological chemistry
- the immune system and how it fights infection
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how cells develop to form functional tissues and organs
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Please note: course information on the following links is correct for the 23-24 academic year, things can change in future years. | |
| Biology 2A: Data Exploration in Biology | Biology 1C: Systems and Regulation |
| Biology 2B: Genetics and Evolution | |
You can still choose courses from other areas of the University as optional courses.
At the end of the year you will make your initial choice of honours programme from the 12 we offer.
Having chosen of our 12 honours programmes you will take compulsory highly specialised courses in that area of biological sciences. There is also scope to choose optional courses from the broad range of biological courses offered. Your courses will prepare you for exploring scientific literature, analysis of scientific data and research work. You will also receive training in laboratory skills and may take courses that concentrate on fieldwork. You can still change your mind on your honours programme choice as long as you take and pass the right combination of required courses for the new programme. We will give you all the information you need to be able to build your programme to suit you.
You'll specialise in one Honours programme having already had substantial experience of the subject in year 3. This year almost always involves a major research project, where you will work with academic staff in our world leading research laboratories, and explore current research in your chosen subject.
Degree structure and required courses in detail
The Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study (DRPS) website provides information on the programmes of study offered by the University of Edinburgh and sets out the regulatory framework by which these are governed, together with the regulations and codes that govern the general context of a student’s academic career at the University.
You can see the full structure of our degrees by following these steps:
- Select the correct academic year (the DRPS is usually updated for the next academic year in April)
- Select "Browse Degree Programme Tables (DPTs)", under the "Degree Programmes" heading
- Select "School of Biological Sciences", under the " College of Science and Engineering" heading
- Choose from the list of Undergraduate programmes offered. Look for the (BSc Hons) options, (BMedSci Hons) and (BSc VetSci Hons) are for Medicine or Vet students who are intercalating.
Please note that courses within programmes for future academic years have not been finalised yet and are subject to change.
Degree, Regulations and Programmes of Study