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Biological science is the study of the natural world and the impact humanity is having on it. It studies the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of simple organisms to more complex life forms, such as plants and animals, and their relationship with the environment. From the molecular to the cellular, biology seeks to understand the process of life as well as potential threats to life, such as climate change, pathogens or biological threats.
Today’s biologists work across multiple fields and have a significant impact on our lives. From the creation of vaccines and antibiotics to organ transplantation or growing disease resistant crops to combat food insecurity etc., biological science, plays a vital role in finding solutions to some of humanity’s greatest contemporary challenges. Postgraduates of biological science often go on to address some of society’s most pressing issues, from climate change to disease prevention, marine conservation or agricultural innovation.
As a broad subject, you’ll get the opportunity to work across research disciplines, giving you plenty of flexibility around choosing modules and finding your area of interest to specialise in, which could be one of many subdisciplines, such as plants, microorganisms, animal populations, biodiversity, human behaviour, ecosystems or the ocean environment.
Studying this subject at postgraduate level presents varied career opportunities in biological science. You can to tailor your degree to your desired career, whether it’s as a practitioner or researcher in academia, laboratory, industry, government, private or non-profit settings. You’ll gain deep knowledge of the natural world, develop lab skills, get to use the latest equipment, work along experts and gain valuable practical experience.
Biological science intersects with other disciplines, and biologist often find themselves working in multidisciplinary teams. Studying biological science at postgraduate level will provide you with a solid background in science and a set of transferable skills which you can apply to multiple settings and different working environments. As such, it offers a flexible and varied career path.
"There's a lot of value in studying biological science at postgraduate level because you can specialise in a subject area. For example, by studying Cancer Biology you will gain valuable knowledge in the causes of cancer, which is very important for cancer prevention and treatment." Dr Hossein Asrafi, Associate Professor in Cancer Biology, Kingston University
To become a biological scientist, you need to have either an undergraduate degree in biological science (BSc) or another type of biology degree. Ideally, if you want to have better career chances, completing a master’s in this subject is advisable as it will allow you to specialise, by picking one area of interest to focus your career on. Potential areas of interest could be biochemistry, zoology, marine biology, cell or molecular biology. Most research positions will require you have a PhD in biology.
Gaining some work experience before starting your postgraduate, such as lab shadowing looks good on your CV and will support your postgraduate application. You can try contacting biotech companies in your area or the local NHS trust to see if you can get some experience with them. Volunteering with local conservation organisations is another way to get some practical experience.
To get into this career, you must hold an undergraduate degree (BSc) in Biological Science or complete a postgraduate degree (MSc). Once you have completed your academic studies and undertaken a specialisation, opting for an internship is a good way of gaining practical experience and networking. If you choose an RSB (Royal Society of Biology) accredited programme, you’re entitled to one year’s free membership upon graduation. It offers useful information on jobs, advice and networking opportunities postgraduation, when starting out in your career. Depending on which area you specialise in, you may need to undergo further accreditation, such as biomedicine, where you would need to register with the HCPC to practice. Also, look out for programmes that offer placements with accredited laboratories, where you can gain practical experience and enhance your employability.
Currently there are 314 degrees at 84 universities across the UK offering postgraduate courses in biological scince. Master's courses usually last between a year full time or two years part time and for PhDs, anything from two to seven years, depending on whether full time or part time.
There are several academic routes available at postgraduate level, depending on your qualifications and experience. You can use our university search tool to get up to date information on your options and explore courses. The MSc is the most prominent taught master’s option for biological science students, with a broad range of programmes available. These courses will provide you with advanced knowledge in your chosen niche and the opportunity to explore its debates and challenges in depth, in addition to training in research skills and laboratory or field techniques.
Shorter PGCert or PGDip qualifications are also an option, providing the opportunity to train or learn in a certain area in less than one academic year—great for professionals or students looking to change academic direction.
Postgraduate research pathways, include Mphil and MRes, ranging from master’s by research to doctorates, give you the opportunity to train as a professional researcher and conduct impactful work in your field, often leading to publication.
Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level:
Most biological science degrees at postgraduate level will ask for an undergraduate degree in a relevant area, such as biology, environmental science, biomedicine or zoology, with a 2:2 grade or above. Many admissions teams will consider applications from students with lower grades if accompanied by evidence of significant, relevant professional experience or alternative qualifications.
Your postgraduate degree in biological sciences is designed to equip you with an advanced understanding of your field, a range of technical competencies, and the professional skills you’ll need to succeed in relevant biological science jobs.
Theory, debates, practice and case studies will be a major component of lectures, seminars and tutor discussions as a taught postgraduate student. Both taught and research students can expect to spend time gaining real experience in lab or field settings. Independent study, investigation, critical thinking and communication are key skills that graduates in this field will emerge with. Research design and academic publication are core components of research pathways.
The majority of postgraduate biology degrees will also contain dedicated professional skills modules, allowing you to stand out to potential employers and succeed in your industry. Your dissertation or research project will form a major component of your final grade, with minimum scores in that area sometimes necessary to reach the highest-grade bands.
What Modules will I study?
Module names may vary from course to course, but core modules include:
How will I be assessed?
Biological science offers a varied career path depending on your specialisation. Some use it to get into forensic biology or conservation, science teaching, pharmaceutical sales and research, biomedical sciences, marine policy, journalism are just some of the possible career paths available to graduates. Some of the largest employers of biological scientists in the UK are: Procter & Gamble, Public Health England, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), IQVIA, Imperial College London and AstraZeneca.
“There are a range of opportunities available to students who do postgraduate qualifications in biological sciences. Our graduates have gone on to roles in a wide variety of careers in the NHS, hospital laboratories, commercial laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies. Others work with organisations such as Cancer Research UK, to continue valuable research in future treatments and prevention. Study can include progressing onto a PhD which can pave the way toward an academic career as a university lecturer.” Dr Hossein Asrafi, Associate Professor in Cancer Biology, Kingston University
Biological science careers include:
Transferable skills
The Royal Society of Biology (RSB) is the main accrediting body for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. You should check that your course is accredited by them. If you go on to specialise in medicine, you may need further accreditation depending on the discipline and job. Other accrediting bodies include the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.
You can find more information about funding for life sciences on our site. It is also worth emailing the student finance office of the universities you are interested to find out more about their scholarships, bursaries and financial aid options specific to a biological science programme. To learn more about funding, check out our ULTIMATE guide to postgraduate funding.
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