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The Department of Biology researches and teaches across the whole spectrum of biological sciences – from molecular analysis of human diseases to understanding the global environment.

As a visiting student at York you'll be fully integrated into academic life at a world-class, research-led university.

Undergraduate students

Academic requirements

You will need to show that you have sufficient knowledge and experience to study with us at the required level. Most UK students have spent two years studying Chemistry and Biology intensively to a reasonably advanced level. Most of our modules are one semester only with the exception of research project that spans the full academic year.

Further information on module choices

  • Acceptance on all modules requires you to have studied to an acceptable level of prior knowledge
  • If you would like to study modules from more than one academic year or department, timetabling constraints will affect which modules you can choose. Module codes indicate the stage/year: C is stage 1; I is stage 2; H is stage 3; and M is stage 4. Choosing modules from the same stage will reduce the chance of timetable clashes
  • Some modules are only available to students on a Biochemistry course
  • Please include your module preferences (including the module codes) in your application, otherwise your application may be rejected

Choosing your modules

Please see the list of modules. This list is indicative of the type of modules which may be available during your study period. Please note that not all Biology modules which are advertised in the Module Catalogue are available to Exchange and Visiting Students. Module choice and registration should be confirmed before the start of the study via communication with departmental visiting student coordinator. Students can still change their module selection in the first two weeks of the semester. 

Postgraduate students

Academic requirements

You should hold an undergraduate degree in Biology or a related subject.

Postgraduate courses, modules and entry requirements

Postgraduate and undergraduate English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (the language requirements are part way down the page. The other requirements are not applicable).

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements or our postgraduate English language requirements

Teaching schedule

You can study in our department for the following periods only:

  • Full academic year
  • Semester 1 only
  • Semester 2 only

Examination and assessment

Assessment is mainly by examination at the end of each semester. Alternate assessments may be available, please contact us to discuss this.

Start your application

 Undergraduate modules

Contact us

Han-Jou Chen
International Officer and undergraduate contact

han-jou.chen@york.ac.uk

Postgraduate contact

biol-pg-admissions@york.ac.uk

Related links

Department of Biology

Module Code Module Description Year / Stage Semester Assessment Type Credits ECTS
BIO00027C Becoming a Bioscientist: Core Skills 1 1 Oral presentation/seminar/exam 20 10
BIO00028C Genetics 1 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00023C Physiology & Disease 1 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00004C Molecular Biology & Biochemistry 1 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00024C Life on Earth 1 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00026C Becoming a Bioscientist: Grand Challenges 1 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00025C Cells to Organisms 1 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00029C Molecules of Life 1 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00011I Cell Biology 2 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00036I Practical Ecology 2 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00048I Neuroscience 2 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00050I The Immune System 2 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00051I Genome Expression & Maintenance 2 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00052I Molecular Genetics 2 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00053I Ecological Solutions for Global Challenges 2 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00054I Biochemical Reactions & Interactions 2 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00055I Mechanisms of Disease 2 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00056I Population Genetics & Evolution 2 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00060I Bioenterprise 2 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00061I Molecular Biotechnology 2 2 Open Examination 20 10
BIO00062I Behavioural Ecology 2 2 Open Examination 20 10
BIO00063I Pharmacology 2 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00064I Molecular Microbiology 2 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00065I Becoming a Bioscientist: Experimental Design & Communication 2 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00066I Becoming a Bioscientist: Research in Action 2 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
CHE00036I Chemical and Structural Biology 2 2 Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
ESA00001I Future of Food 2 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00028H Research Project (BSc) 3 1&2 Essay/coursework/oral presentation/seminar 40 20
BIO00066H Advanced Topics in Biotechnology 3 1 Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00067H Molecular Machinery in Action 3 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00068H Cancer Cell & Molecular Biology 3 1 Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00069H Conserving Biodiversity in the Anthropocene 3 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00070H Advanced Topics in Neuroscience 3 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00071H Advanced Topics in Gene Expression 3 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00073H Current Research in Ecology 3 2 Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00074H Evolution 3 1 Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00075H Trends in Microbiology 3 2 Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00076H Human Genetics 3 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00077H Mechanisms to Therapies 3 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00078H Molecular Recognition 3 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00079H Ageing & Regenerative Medicine 3 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00084H Ecology Field Course 3 2 Essay/coursework/report 20 10
BIO00085H Haematology and Immunology in Health and Disease 3 2 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00086H Pathogens 3 1 Online Exam - less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00087H Genomics 3 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00088H Group Research Project (IM) 3 1&2 Essay/coursework/oral presentation/seminar 40 20
CHE00030H Chemistry & Disease 3 1 Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 20 10
BIO00052M Data Analysis and Programming in the Biosciences 5 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00053M Industrial Biotechnology 5 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00057M Research Project (M level) 4 1&2 Essay/coursework/oral presentation/seminar 80 40
BIO00059M Molecular Basis of Disease 5 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00062M Advanced Research Topics in Biotechnology 5 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00063M Advanced Research Topics in Biomedical Sciences 5 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00066M Research Skills 4 1 Essay/coursework/oral presentation/seminar 20 10
BIO00067M Advanced Research Topics in Bioinformatics 5 1 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00068M Research Seminars in Bioinformatics 5 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00069M Group Project 5 2 Essay/coursework 20 10
BIO00070M Research, Professional and Team Skills 5 1 Essay/coursework/oral presentation/seminar 20 10
BIO00071M Research Project 5 Summer Project 60 30
BIO00072M Research Plan 5 2 Essay/coursework 20 10

Contact us

Han-Jou Chen
International Officer and undergraduate contact

han-jou.chen@york.ac.uk

Postgraduate contact

biol-pg-admissions@york.ac.uk

Related links

Department of Biology