Why study for a biosciences degree?

What are biosciences?

Bioscience is the collective term for life sciences. It is at the core of research and innovation that is curing disease, providing safe and ample food and water, and developing new sources of fuel.

As a student of biosciences you will learn about life in all its forms and the advances in biosciences that affect those lives in a positive manner.

“Bioscience has allowed us to understand some of the most complex processes that govern life, be that at a molecular genetic level, or at the level of the whole organism and the ecosystem in which it survives,” adds Dr Alison Cottell, a tutor in Microbiology at the University of Surrey. “Bioscientists have developed rapid and minimally invasive diagnostic tests and novel treatments based on their study of the intricacies of how diseases develop and the action of pharmaceutical drugs. Such developments have revolutionised medicine and contributed to the alleviation of suffering of countless individuals.”

Biosciences at University

The School of Biosciences and Medicine at the University of Surrey is home to a vibrant research community and an innovative teaching and learning environment. The Guardian University League Tables 2016 ranked Surrey seventh and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016 ranked Surrey eighth for their programmes in biosciences. The latest National Student Survey also found our programmes in the field of molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry scored 98 per cent for overall student satisfaction. Find out more about our league table success.

At the University of Surrey, our biosciences degrees are organised into a series of sub-disciplines – biochemistry, biological sciences, biomedical science, biotechnology, microbiology and microbiology (medical).

Jobs for biosciences graduates

Biosciences have a broad scientific content which can lead to a multitude of careers, from laboratory-based work and beyond. Biosciences graduates can find themselves in roles in academic research, the pharmaceutical and diagnostic medicine industry, the healthcare sector, the food and environmental health sector, and local and central government.

A degree in biosciences can teach you skills that will help you stand out in an increasingly competitive job market and propel you to academic success. You’ll develop strong research and presentation skills, as well as the ability to effectively collect and analyse data. As a biosciences student you will also pick up many highly transferable skills, including the ability to work well in a team, use your initiative and effectively manage your time - all of which are highly sought after skills in the workplace.

“The next generation of bioscientists have challenges that are yet to be resolved: there remain numerous diseases which are difficult to diagnose, and for which there are no effective treatments or cures,” adds Dr Cottell. “There is a need to continue research into diseases such as cancer and malaria, while managing the rise of others such as stress-related illness, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, drug-resistant infections, and to preserve the health and wellbeing of an aging population.”

Explore our biosciences programmes.