Students in white lab coats in the lab

Biosciences

Studying a science of life will equip you with the real-world skills required to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing humanity.

Welcome to the Biosciences at Lancaster video
1st

1st in the UK for Biomedical Sciences (of IBMS-accredited courses)
The Complete University Guide 2025

3rd

3rd in the UK for graduate prospects (Biomedical Science)
The Guardian University Guide 2025

3rd

3rd in the UK for Biomedical Sciences

Complete University Guide 2025

3rd

3rd in the UK for Biomedical Sciences
The Guardian University Guide 2025

4th

4th in the UK for satisfaction with teaching (Biomedical Sciences)

The Guardian University Guide 2025

Develop real-world skills, whether it’s to understand the biomolecular function of cells, develop new treatments for disease, help protect endangered species or to ensure the world has enough food.

Welcome to the Biosciences

Students from across our Biosciences degree programmes show you what they love about their subjects, how Lancaster does the study of the 'Science of Life', and how their programmes give them hope for the future.

Download a course guide

In this course guide you'll find details about all our bioscience courses, student stories, placement information and much more.

Download a Course Guide

Bioscience courses

  • Biochemistry

    Biochemistry is an exciting and rapidly developing subject and the primary investigative science within biology and medicine. You will examine the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular and cellular level, studying core modules in biochemistry and chemistry.

  • Biology

    Tailor your degree to match your specific interests by choosing from a wide variety of modules. You can develop your knowledge of a range of biological processes, learn how plants and animals are affected by the challenges of the 21st century and have the option to specialise, for example, in the biomedical, biochemical or environmental aspects of biology.

  • Biomedical Science

    Our flexible Biomedicine and our IBMS-accredited Biomedical Science degree courses are aimed at those with a broad interest in human life processes and disease and give you the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the techniques and issues associated with modern biomedical research.

  • Ecology and Conservation

    You will examine the ecology and conservation of different ecosystems, in which organisms are locked in complex interactions with one another and their environment. It's a diverse field and your degree will focus on areas including animal behaviour, evolution and global change biology.

  • Pharmacology

    Pharmacology at Lancaster University will provide you with a deep understanding of how drugs interact with living systems and affect our bodies – something crucial to health in our society. You’ll also study mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, potential side effects, the wider societal and regulatory context in which drugs are used, and how new drugs are developed.

  • Zoology

    Zoology is a science dedicated to the study of animal life, and our degree provides a range of modules covering the different elements from animal behaviour to cellular processes and physiology, and from taxonomy and the diversity of animal life to evolution.

Explore our Biosciences in detail

Welcome to Biology at Lancaster

Tailor your degree to match your specific interests by choosing from a wide variety of modules with the option to specialise, for example, in the biomedical, biochemical or environmental aspects of biology. You can develop your knowledge of a range of skills required to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our planet, whether it's researching underlying scientific principles, the development of new treatments for disease or helping to protect endangered species.

Welcome to Biochemistry at Lancaster

Biochemistry is an exciting and rapidly developing subject and the primary investigative science within biology and medicine. You will examine the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular and cellular level, studying core modules in biochemistry and chemistry.

Welcome to Biomedicine at Lancaster University

Our flexible Biomedicine and our IBMS-accredited Biomedical Science degree courses are aimed at those with a broad interest in human life processes and disease and give you the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the techniques and issues associated with modern biomedical research.

Welcome to Ecology & Conservation at Lancaster

You will examine the ecology and conservation of different ecosystems, in which organisms are locked in complex interactions with one another and their environment. It's a diverse field and your degree will focus on areas including animal behaviour, evolution and global change biology.

Welcome to Zoology at Lancaster

Zoology is a science dedicated to the study of animal life, and our degree provides a range of modules covering the different elements from animal behaviour to cellular processes and physiology, and from taxonomy and the diversity of animal life to evolution.

Linked icons

Explore the science of life

The Biosciences are fundamental to our understanding of many of the key issues facing human society today. They not only help us to understand and find solutions for contemporary issues such as the development of new treatments for diseases and maintenance of global food security but also have an important role in unravelling the big questions such as of how life on Earth began and evolved into the complex organisms and ecosystems with which we are familiar.

A vital role in modern life

The Biosciences are at the forefront of understanding issues such as ageing, the development of new treatments for disease including Alzheimer's, cancer, arthritis and tropical diseases, and also the need to produce sufficient food to feed the increasing global population. In a wider sense, the biosciences can even inform our understanding of the effects of climate change and human activity on the Earth's biosphere.

Learn from experts in their fields

The expertise of our staff spans the full breadth of biology, from biomedicine and biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology of cells and tissues through to global change biology, evolution, biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management in agriculture.

Just like you

Before our academics were engaged in world-changing Bioscience research, they were just like you. They were curious about the world. They wouldn’t stop asking questions. They wanted to make a difference. And now they are. If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you.

Apply today to study Biosciences at Lancaster University.

Just Like You

People fixing the world

Across our academic team, we find scientists trying to fix the world. From looking into cures for cancer, understanding how marine life is impacted by anthropogenic climate change, or tackling global pandemics, our research can give us hope for a better tomorrow.

People fixing the world

Beyond the labs

  • Your global experience

    Enhance your studies, boost your self-confidence and immerse yourself in the culture of another country as part of our exciting opportunities to study overseas.

  • Fieldwork opportunities - Biology

    Fieldwork is an exciting and interesting way to develop your practical skills. Our surroundings allow us to give you regular hands-on experience of a wide range of biological situations in the local area, and you will also have the opportunity to travel further afield or even overseas on a range of exciting field courses that will place your studies in the context of real-world issues.

Careers

A Biosciences degree can enable you to specialise in a given area, but because we embed a range of transferable skills into the curriculum you are not limited purely to science-based careers. You can pursue a wide range of careers with our bioscience degrees, from biomedical science to research or from pharmacology to business.

Examples of the types of careers pursued by our Biosciences graduates include:

  • Biomedical Scientist
  • Nature Conservation Officer
  • University Lecturer
  • Biotechnologist
  • Soil Scientist
  • School Teacher
  • Microbiologist
  • Crop Scientist
  • Molecular Geneticist
  • Ecological Consultant
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Reserve Manager
  • Pharmaceutical Scientist
  • Research Ecologist
  • Food Technologist

Whatever your career aspirations may be, or even if you're still not quite sure, we're here to support you to reach your goals. You will undertake a module in employability skills, giving you excellent preparation for applying to graduate-level jobs and graduate scheme, and our dedicated Careers Service is here to assist you every step of the way. From helping you make a lasting impression with your CV to ensuring you are well prepared for interviews and assessment centres, they are able to offer you tailored and personalised support. What's more, they offer lifelong careers support to our graduates so, if you need us, we will always be here to help.

Public events at the Faculty of Health and Medicine

From public lecture series, to student-focused webinars, there's always something going on at the Faculty of Health and Medicine.

9th Jan

Stemming the tide: Healthier jobs to tackle economic inactivity

Thursday 9 January 2025, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
13th Jan

Are you ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow? Find your future in Cyber, Data or AI

Monday 13 January 2025, 10:00am to Tuesday 14 January 2025, 4:00pm

More Events

Keep in touch