Best UK unis for Biology or related courses?

I'm predicted A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths (all As) and want to study Biology or a similar subject at uni from 2026. Which universities or biology courses would you most recommend, and how did you make your own decision? 😊

Diggory the AI Uni Coach helped write this post

Reply 1

McGinger

'Biology' is a massive subject area and your A level subjects open up hundreds of different subjects / careers.
Biological Sciences, Biomedical, Biochemistry, Zoology, Marine Science, Animal Conversation, Environmental Science, Neuroscience, Psychology, Immunology, Anatomy, Genetics, Sports Science, Nutrition, plus a wide range of healthcare courses - everything from Audiology to Physio.

Remember there are also degrees like 'Natural Sciences' where you can study different sciences as one degree program, and there are degree subjects with no specific A level subject requirements like Law, International Relations etc.

Reply 2

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi there,

As said above, Biology covers a massive range of sub-fields, so a good idea would be to think about whether you would want to study a very specific area within Biology, or study a degree in Biology which will have much more variety of topics!

Here are some quick tips on deciding a course!:

Narrow down the subject area - unless you want to study a BSc 'Biology'

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Which areas of biology excite you the most?

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Do you prefer plant science, anatomy and physiology, animal behaviour/zoology, genetics etc

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A good starting point would be to see whether you would prefer to study plant science, human biology or an animal-focused course!

Compare courses between Universities

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Some universities are very lecture/theory oriented vs practical based

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Even for the same course name, modules will vary between universities so compare which modules you think you'd be more interested in

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Check how you will be assessed, some unis are very exam heavy or coursework heavy or have an equal mix

Location - where do you want to study?

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Is there any particular region you'd like to go to for uni?

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Would you prefer to stay closer to home or further away?

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Factor in travel costs or accommodation costs when looking at universities

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Do you want a city environment or campus environment?

LJMU offers a variety of Biological Sciences courses that might interest you! We offer programmes in Biology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Animal Behaviour, Wildlife Conservation, Biomedical Science, Human Biology and Anthropology, that you can check out here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/subjects/biological-sciences

Hope this helps! If you have any further questions about choosing a good course, or if you'd like some more info about LJMU, feel free to get in touch with myself or another of our ambassadors through this link: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/chat-to-a-student

Jorja (LJMU Student Rep)

Reply 3

UEA Rep Jas

Official Rep

Hi there!

The other posts here have outlined pretty well what might go into choosing the degree and university that’s right for you so I thought it might be useful for you to hear about my experiences!

I study ecology and conservation at UEA, and I’m currently doing a year abroad at the University of Tasmania in Australia! I chose both unis, courses and cities for a variety of reasons.

I chose ecology and conservation, as I wanted a career in marine ecology, but this teaches ecology more broadly, which keeps my options open! It is more specific than straight biological sciences though, which works for me because it cuts out the areas I’m less interested in. UEA specifically offers a lot of opportunities for field work, which is something I find really valuable. I also really enjoy the range of modules that my course offers, I have the option to study in both the biological sciences, as well as the environmental sciences. The course also teaches a wide range of employable skills. If conservation is something that interests you, I’d really recommend the course!

The uni as a whole also works well for me, because of the student support, and especially the disability services- I’ve received so much support from them over the course of my degree that has been invaluable! I also liked the green space on campus a lot, and the fact it was a campus uni, which makes it quite accessible.

I also chose the uni because I really enjoy Norwich as a city, it’s small enough that I don’t feel overwhelmed, but there’s enough going on to keep me busy, and it’s a really beautiful city! It’s also a good distance away from home, enough for me to be independent, but not so far that I can’t visit.

I chose UTAS for my year abroad for similar reasons. The modules are very tailored to my interests, and the research is world leading. The city is similarly small but it means I can explore the rest of Australia! It’s a city uni though rather than a campus uni, which I don’t like as much personally.

Something I personally didn’t really consider was university rankings, for me it was more important to find a course and a uni that really suited me and would’ve made me happy, than one that ranked really highly.

Once you’ve narrowed down some areas of interest, definitely have a look round each uni at open days, and chat to lectures, to get a feel for them, this will really help you decide on unis as well as courses.

I hope this is helpful!

Jas :smile:

UEA Rep

Reply 4

RMathew2112

Avoid Greenwich university for any of the courses in the school of sciences - terrible experience by many students ! Lack of good staff.

Reply 5

UniofReading

Official Rep

Original post

by Akeem serifat

Good afternoon,

Choosing a university depends on what you want from your university experience. Every student wants something slightly different, such as a lecture style or exams vs. no exams. I always recommend deciding what you want from your university and writing a list of your goals. You can compare the two universities to your own criteria; this means the university will be the best fit for you.

The Whatuni website is good for Find A Course, as it offers a comprehensive list with reviews. Similarly, the UCAS website has tips on comparing undergraduate courses and universities, which is a great way to narrow down your options.

It is a very personal decision, so I recommend reaching out to unibuddy ambassadors and reviewing the course reviews and modules. This should help you come to an informed decision.

There is an ambassador scheme at the University of Reading where prospective students can message current students; more information is available here. They will be able to provide you with an insider's perspective on the degree and answer any questions you may have about the course.

All the best,
Ella
BSc Ecology