Biology with Enterprise MBiol, BSc

Biology is the study of life with a focus on the whole organism. It covers the key areas of molecular biology, cellular biology, organismal biology and population biology. Biology with Enterprise is offered in partnership with the Leeds University Business School. This innovative degree at Leeds offers a comprehensive understanding of the broad scope of biology and associated biotechnology together with the essentials of business and commerce.

Biology addresses whole organism from molecules to entire ecosystems. The course reflects the complexity of life from molecular and cellular biology to organisms and populations. That breadth of diversity is reflected in the Biology with Enterprise course that is further supplemented with an understanding of business.

The balance of the course is most suitable for biologists wanting to supplement understanding biology with that of business and commerce. Biology with Enterprise is designed to give graduates strong career prospects in both the private and public sectors.

Course highlights

• The common first year provides you with a broad foundation as a scientist, flexibility, and the opportunity to specialise in your chosen area in Years 2, 3 and 4. A key benefit of having a common first year is that you can easily switch between our degree programmes within the school of biology.
• In each year you will choose modules from our specialist degrees across the biology area (Biology with Enterprise, Genetics, Ecology and Conservation Biology, and Zoology), allowing you to follow your own biological interests.
• This course offers you the opportunity to undertake an industrial placement and study year abroad.
• Extensive practical ‘hands-on’ experience. We offer several field courses in locations as diverse as North Yorkshire, the Mediterranean and Africa. You will also have access to the University farm.

In the first year of the course you will have an introduction to several core themes, including molecular and cell biology, microbiology, genetics and immunology, together with a laboratory skills module. Alongside these modules, you will study strategic business planning and management.

Following that in year 2 you will continue to study biological processes and your continued skills development will be supported through modules that integrate regular tutorials, laboratory practical’s and data handling exercises.

In year three you will further develop your understanding of business practice in preparation for your independent Enterprise Project. There is a strong emphasis on independent learning, problem solving and data analysis. The extended individual project will develop your research skills and produce a report that could contribute to a research publication.

The MBiol will offer research preparation modules in third year as well as Masters level modules and an extended research project in your fourth year.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Learning and teaching

Our degrees are delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and practicals. The first and second year will see a focus on these three teaching methods, building your skills, understanding and knowledge for your final year research project, which will see independent research and learning complemented with the guidance of leading experts.

Across all four years, additional workshop and seminar sessions will complement your lectures and lab practicals, and you will also undertake private study.

Independent study and research are also crucial to every year of the course. We have excellent library and computing facilities to support your learning, and the University Library offers training to help you make the most of them

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop a broad range of skills. These include practical work, data handling and problem-solving exercises, multiple-choice tests, group work, online and face-to-face discussion groups, computer-based simulations, essays, posters and oral presentations.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA

Including Biology and another science or science-related subject. Critical Thinking and General Studies excluded.

Science subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. Science- related subjects: Computing, Environmental Science, Food Science, Geography, Geology, P.E, Psychology, Science in Society, Statistics and Use of Maths.

Applicants taking a Science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.

GCSE: Typically Grade 6 (B) Maths and Grade 4 (C) English.

• Access to HE Diploma

  We do not accept Access to HE.

• BTEC

  We do not accept BTEC qualification.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3/D3/D3 including D3 in Biology plus one other science or science-related subject.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 (18 at higher level) including 6 in higher level Biology and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including H1 in Biology and another science or science-related subject at higher level.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AA in 2 Advanced Highers from 3 Advanced Highers including Biology and another science or science-related subject. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded.

  Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  AAA including Biology and another science or science-related subject. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded.

  We accept the following science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics. Science-related subjects: computing, environmental science, food science, geography, geology, PE, psychology, science in society, statistics, use of mathematics.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

International

We welcome students from around the world and consider a range of qualifications. If your qualification or country does not appear on our entry requirements page, please contact us at fbsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk

Foundation year

If you have the ability to study for a degree but don’t have the qualifications to enter directly to level one, you might consider studying a foundation year. We have formal links with the following foundation year programmes:

University of Leeds International Foundation Year (IFY)

Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)

Study Group Leeds International Study Centre (LISC)

If you are applying from an alternative foundation year provider, please contact our admissions team to find out if your qualification is suitable for entry to our courses.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

It is also possible to study this programme part time. The programme content is the same but you will study at a lesser intensity. Find out more about how to apply, support available and the part-time student experience at the Lifelong Learning Centre.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £21,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Financial support

The Faculty of Biological Sciences offer a range of scholarships for UK, EU and International students. Find out more about our scholarships

As a student in the Faculty you will be taught by leading academics to ensure you get the most up-to-date perspective on the subject. The training we provide will help you apply innovative biological research to the real world. Our graduates have gone on to varied careers, including roles in academia and the pharmaceutical industry.

Recent graduate destinations include:

• Research (e.g. Syngenta, Zeneca Agrochemicals)
• Nutritionist (e.g. BOCM Pauls, SCA Nutrition)
• Health (e.g. Pfizer, Roche)
• Plant/Animal breeding (e.g. Genus, Signet)
• Civil service (e.g. DEFRA, MLC)
• Charities (e.g. RSPCA, UFAW)
• Consultancy (e.g. Genus, ADAS)
• Sales / marketing (e.g. BOCM Pauls, Frank Wright Ltd)
• VSO (e.g. Thailand, India, Zambia)
• Finance (e.g. NatWest, Price Waterhouse Coopers)
• Law enforcement & protection (e.g. army, police)
• Insurance (e.g. Norwich Union)
• PhD, MSc, PGCE, BVSc (e.g. Liverpool, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Imperial)

Careers support

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

If you choose to undertake a study abroad option, you will spend the fourth year of the MBiol studying abroad. This will extend your studies by 12 months.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

Industrial placements are typically taken between your third and final year. This will extend your studies by 12 months. For your work placement in industry, staff at Leeds will help you with your CV and application letters and provide a list of organisations which may offer industrial placements.

Placements abroad are possible. We work together with your industrial supervisors to make sure you get the most out of this year. A year working in industry gives you an excellent opportunity to get used to the demands of the world of work, to develop new skills and to augment your CV.