Biology is a diverse field of study that covers a range of specialist subjects, such as microbiology, ecology, anatomy, zoology, natural sciences, neurobiology, physiology, and many more. Undergraduate biology degrees in the UK last three to four years and offer specialisations in many areas. Course delivery combines lectures, lab work, practicals, and research projects.
Biologists and biochemists are part of the UK Shortage Occupation List, which means there is a huge demand for such professionals in the UK, making it easier for international students to find work after graduation. Career options for biology graduates are not limited to science and health sectors. Still, their skills are transferable and highly sought after by many other industries, including biology research, education, science communication, medical, legal and other non-scientific fields as well.
Find the best universities in the UK for biology below (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024) and begin your application by contacting SI-UK India today for a free consultation.
Top Five UK Universities for Biology
1. University of Oxford
At Oxford, students are taught by the world’s leading experts in biology. The University offers excellent educational and recreational facilities, with well-equipped laboratories, a botanic garden and arboretum, a museum of natural history, and much more. Oxford University graduates enjoy some of the best graduate prospects in the UK, and five years after graduation, the average salary for Oxford graduates is around £43,000.
2. University of Cambridge
Cambridge is one of the world's top five universities for biological sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024). The School of Biological Sciences at Cambridge offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across three Triposes - the Natural Sciences Tripos, Medical and Veterinary Sciences Tripos and Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos.
3. University College London
The Biosciences Department at UCL is one of the world’s foremost centres for research and training and has one of the UK's largest and most active research environments. It has a community of 500 staff and 300 PhD students engaged in cutting-edge research. Human Biological Sciences at UCL is ranked 2nd globally and 1st in Europe (Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020).
4. Imperial College London
Degrees in biology at Imperial are offered in a wide range of modules to attain high levels of specialisation and a broad understanding of living systems, organisms, and ecosystems. The University has outstanding facilities for genomics, tissue culture, cell biology studies, and the most modern microscopes. The department has a high student satisfaction rate of 91%, and teaching is enriched by cutting-edge, internationally leading research.
5. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh has one of the largest biology departments in the UK, which is at the leading edge of research, teaching and innovation. Edinburgh has been consistently placed in the top 25 universities worldwide for biology (Times Higher Education). The learning and teaching environment is flexible, with opportunities to gain experience through interdisciplinary collaborative programmes with other departments.
Study Biology in the UK
If you wish to study biology in the UK, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK India today and begin your application to study in the UK ahead of the upcoming intake.