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