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Our degree in human biosciences covers the rapidly changing and dynamic areas of biology and medicine.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
Condensed first year available
UCAS codes
C110
Start date
September 2025
January 2026 - condensed
You will study topics at the forefront of scientific discovery such as genomics, neurophysiology, and communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Human biosciences embraces some of the most rapidly changing and dynamic areas of modern science and has been responsible for an array of ground-breaking scientific discoveries in human health and disease. Over 1.2 million people work in primary science-based roles in the UK, with the boundaries between biosciences, chemical sciences and physical sciences becoming increasingly blurred.
The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.
If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.
This course is currently accredited1 by the following accrediting body for the 2025/26 intake.
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) up to and including September 2028 entry for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol). This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.
With space for over 200 students and packed full of industry-standard equipment, the Coventry University Superlab is an amazing place to learn, experiment and discover. Find out what we’re doing in our Superlab to make it greener and reduce our waste and carbon emissions.
Studying Human Biosciences has been an exciting journey and has given me many opportunities to discover my desired career path. The modules are taught by amazing professors using various teaching styles which made learning for me very effective and fun. This course also has awesome communication methods where many placements and study abroad opportunities are advertised. During my application to study abroad, I received a lot of support and advice throughout the whole process which I found extremely helpful.
Mathuja Nagarasa, current student, Human Biosciences BSc (Hons), 2022
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
The human organism has so many different fascinating aspects to it. From the cells to the systems, I have always been captivated by them. This course not only explores these but also genetics and microbiology while gaining hands-on laboratory experience. What's more, it has made me more passionate and self-confident to pursue a career in research than I was before!
Maria Portokalidi, Human Biosciences BSc (Hons) student, 2022
Throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to develop a good knowledge of a range of disciplines and how they apply to human health and disease, including both theory and lab-based classes.
If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.
You will have the opportunity to undertake challenging lab and non-lab-based independent research projects, dealing with important life science research questions, which in the past have tackled, for example, the antimicrobial activity of essential oils, cinnamon and ginger against drug-resistant clinical pathogens or the effect of sleep deprivation on physiological and mental health in healthy young adults.
Teaching methods may include:
You will be allocated a dedicated Personal Academic Tutor for the duration of the first year of your course, who will schedule 1:1 meetings with you and with whom you can make an appointment.
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods may include:
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
By its very nature, the course adopts an international perspective as science knows no borders. We also typically attract students from many different countries providing a varied, multicultural and fulfilling environment in which to learn. We encourage students to mix on group work and projects.
The placement/study abroad option allows a year’s work placement or study, which can be taken abroad2. Some former students have studied at the University of Leiden in Holland, for example.
Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed2.
One of the best parts of our job as academics is seeing people develop and succeed. It is lovely to see people graduating and moving into lots of fantastic careers. All the biology that we get to teach and learn about is rather cool too.
Jamie Beddow, Course Director for Human Biosciences BSc (Hons), 2022
Typical entry requirements:
Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year |
Not available |
EU | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary** 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary** |
Not available |
International | 2025/26 fees TBC 2024/25 fees - £18,300 per year |
Not available |
If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.
If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
Your studies will be centred in high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, industry-standard equipment, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of courses.
The Alison Gingell Building is home to microbiology, cell culture, molecular biology/genetics, biochemistry and forensic science laboratories, allowing you to work in a replicated professional environment from day one.
Our SuperLab has facilities for cell culture and equipment for microscopy, DNA, RNA and protein analysis, and forensic testing.
Separate physiology and health laboratory facilities enable the measurement of physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, lung function test and neuromuscular functioning.
Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.
There is a growing demand for highly skilled staff with the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams, right across industry, in the health service, government establishments, research, and educational institutions. Our course is designed to help you develop a wide range of skills that will be attractive to many different types of employers. We can help you find placements, internships and job opportunities, by advertising jobs, holding an annual jobs fair, helping with CV writing and job interview techniques2.
Recent graduates have gone on to careers in conducting clinical trials for drug companies, as research assistants in laboratories in universities and various roles within industry, such as marketing assistants and medical and scientific representatives for companies. Others have used their qualifications to progress into teaching careers, as well as postgraduate study to obtain MSc, MPhil and PhD qualifications.
Our graduates have gone on to work for companies including Binding Site, Rosalind Franklin Laboratory, SciBite, Pharmaron, Weetabix, Campden BRI, GSK, Prime Global, AS&K communications and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
The course is an excellent foundation for further postgraduate studies leading to an MSc or PhD. We run a range or related taught MSc courses that allow our graduates to specialise in the area that they have a passion for and would like to pursue a career in. These courses also have a ‘with professional experience’ option, allowing students to apply for and complete an extended period of experience in a professional environment.