Welcome to the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds

Our mission is to better understand the complexity of life on Earth from molecules to ecosystems. We push the boundaries of fundamental bioscience underpinning health, development and disease of humans, animals, plants and microbes.

We apply these discoveries to global challenges including sustainable agriculture and ecosystems, healthy ageing and the prevention and treatment of infectious and non-infectious disease, as part of a collective effort to build global resilience for future generations. 

Inspiring the next generation of biological scientists to share our mission is a core part of who we are. We offer programmes spanning the breadth of biological sciences, integrating cutting-edge knowledge with practical and wider research, data science and transferable skills to prepare students for life beyond studies.

Our focus is to train our next generation to think, innovate and lead, and for this we use a range of educational approaches combining active learning with practical experience and opportunities for students to challenge themselves in research, field and industrial settings in a way that’s unique to them.

This all makes for a vibrant and busy Faculty, whether in our world-renowned electron microscope facilities, laboratories, assessing exercise, smart farm or on the African plains. We pride ourselves in working together and in partnership with students, local people, industry, policy makers and research councils.

Most of all we want to make a difference: to people, our city and to the world; and we strive to do this in a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment.

Professor Karen Birch, Executive Dean