Overview

    Bioscience is a broad and fascinating subject area covering plant and animal physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, diseases, ecology and genetics.

    Studying bioscience will provide you with the skills in solving some of the biggest challenges faced by people and the planet including fighting diseases, protecting the environment and feeding a growing population.

    Over three years you will develop the skills to collect and analyse scientific data independently as you research topics of your own choice, often with specific employment goals in mind.

    You’ll gain practical and employment-relevant skills in our state-of-the-art laboratories and have the chance to get involved in current research being undertaken in a variety of core topics specifically relevant to animal biology, physiology and ecology.

    You’ll also have opportunities to interact and collaborate with a range of employers in the field, such as biotech companies like Pfizer, Venomtech, and Algaecytes at Discovery Park in Sandwich.

    Our friendly and supportive team has an open-door policy and is ready to support and advise you throughout your studies.

    Accredited by Royal Society of Biology

    Royal Society of Biology logo
    Royal Society of Biology logo

    3rd in the UK

     for the quality of teaching in the subject area of Biological Sciences. 

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

    Why study Bioscience at CCCU?

    Be supported throughout

    Join our thriving CCCU community where you'll always be supported.

    Entry requirements

    Qualification type

    Grades

    A Levels

    BBC

    BTEC

    DMM

    Access

    15 Distinctions and 30 Merits 

    International Baccalaureate

    29 Points

    Combinations

    A combination of qualifications totalling 112 UCAS points

    Find out more information about entry requirements.

    International students

    Find out about IELTS requirements. Depending which country you're from, there may be specific entry requirements. Check your country to see if this is applicable to you.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements for this course, please contact our Course Enquiry Team.

    112
    UCAS Points

    Module information

    As well as the core modules, you may also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules in your second and third year. Option modules will not be pre-selected for you. We provide examples of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. The offer of an option will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module to ensure the appropriate student experience. The offer of option modules may also be affected by staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular optional module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.

    Core/optional modules

    How you’ll learn

    You will study the modules listed below. Module descriptors will follow soon.

    Level 4:

    • Biochemistry 1
    • Statistics and Introduction to R Software
    • Cell Biology and Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Chemistry for Life and Environmental Science
    • Diversity, Evolution and Ecology

    Level 5:

    • Animal Anatomy and Physiology
    • Plant Physiology and Development
    • Bioinformatics and Data Handling

    Optional modules at Level 5:

    Option Bucket A (choose one from this bucket):

    • Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
    • Animal Genetics
    • Plant Genetics

    Option Bucket B (choose one from this bucket):

    • Animal Pests and Diseases
    • Plant Pests and Pathogens

    Option Bucket C (choose one from this bucket):

    • Soils, Plants and the Environment
    • Principles of Conservation
    • Work Placement

    Level 6:

    • Honours Project in Bioscience (40 credits)
    • Advanced Plant Physiology and Development
    • Animal Reproduction and Development
    • Advanced Bioinformatics

    Optional modules at Level 6:

    • Immunology and Cancer Biology
    • Plant Product Chemistry

    You will be taught through a combination of blended learning with workshops, laboratory practicals, field visits and seminars.

    Workshops will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will meet with your personal academic tutor at least once each semester, but you are encouraged to arrange additional meetings as required.

    You will use industry-standard software and will have access to specialist facilities and equipment throughout your course.

    In year 3, you will conduct an independent research project focusing on your particular interests and skills development. You will be supervised by a member of our academic team and guided in undertaking independent research, data analysis and presentation of your results. Depending on the topic of your project, you may also have the opportunity to collaborate with an industry partner on an industry-relevant research project.

    Your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select.

    When not attending workshops, practical sessions or other timetabled activities, you will continue learning through self-study that will be structured for you by the module leader for each module. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, engaging with online learning materials (videos, quizzes etc.), undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars.

    Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.

    For the Honours Project module in year three, you will undertake independent research. You will work under the supervision of a member of our academic team, with support of other members of the teaching team where necessary. You will meet with your supervisor regularly.

    The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience.

    All our team members hold doctoral and teaching qualifications and are research-active with experience in delivering research-informed teaching.

    Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.

    However you choose to balance your options, you will learn through a blend of activities with a strong focus on field and practical skills, with a strong input from your lecturers.

    Dr Gregg McIntoshCourse Director

    How you’ll be assessed

    The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.

    There is also a formal or 'summative' assessment element for each of the modules. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments, such as laboratory reports, literature reviews, skills assessments, presentations and your final year major project. Some modules also have a formally assessed exam. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

    Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

    The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.

    Typically, there will be two coursework assessments weighted at 50% each and a practical skills portfolio. Some modules from Level 5 onward will have an exam that replaces the 50% piece of coursework.

    Feedback

    You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module leader or personal academic tutor.

    We aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of hand-in (formal coursework assessment).

    Your future career

    Due to its integrated and highly interdisciplinary nature, a degree in the Biosciences opens up a very broad range of career pathways for you that could include anything from the biotechnology sector to environmental management. Alternatively, you may choose to continue on to postgraduate study through to PhD.

    Fees

    The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:

      UK Overseas
    Full-time £9,535 £15,500

    Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.

    Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.

    Home (UK) Fees

    The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.

    Overseas/International Fees

    Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.

    Specialist Facilities

    You will benefit from specialist laboratories in our new multi-million-pound Verena Holmes Building at our Canterbury Campus. Additionally, our Industry Liaison Lab is located on Kent's leading science business park, Discovery Park, which is a thriving part of the South East’s life science community.

    Industry Links

    We have links with a number of bioscience companies and concerns in Kent (e.g., Pfizer, Algaecytes, FAST at Brogdale).

    Apply now

    I would like to start
    I would like to study

    Duration:

    3 years

    UCAS code:

    C191

    Location(s):

    Canterbury
    Apply via UCAS