Veterinary Biosciences BSc (Hons) – 2024 entry

Key information

Start date: September 2024

AwardUCAS codeCourse duration
BSc (Hons) UCAS: D3003 years View KIS data set
BSc (Hons) UCAS: D3014 years with professional training View KIS data set
BSc (Hons) UCAS: D3024 years with foundation year View KIS data set
BSc (Hons) UCAS: D3045 years with foundation year and professional training View KIS data set

Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.

CourseUCAS codeInstitution code
BSc (Hons)D300S85
BSc (Hons) with professional trainingD301S85
BSc (Hons) with foundation yearD302S85
BSc (Hons) with foundation year and professional trainingD304S85

Visit UCAS.com

Why choose this course

  • Study a research-led curriculum focused on animal health, where you can select modules tailored to your interests, including animal behaviour, animal ecology and animal nutrition
  • You’ll be able to study on courses ranked 3rd in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2023 and 8th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2023
  • Access our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory, microscopy suites and pathology laboratories, to enhance your practical skills and use equipment found in research facilities
  • Gain industry experience through our Professional Training placements, where you can work in one of our partner laboratories across the world
  • Learn from lecturers who are active researchers and apply their findings to your teaching
  • Join the 97% of our biosciences and medicine graduates who go on to employment or further study.*

*Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA.

Students looking at a sample on a glass slide

What you will study

In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to veterinary biosciences, including biochemistry, cell biology, evolutionary origins of biodiversity, genetics, microbiology, and veterinary anatomy and physiology, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree.

During your second year, you’ll get the option to learn about the pathogenesis of major human diseases, gain an understanding of endocrinology, including the role of individual hormones, delve deeper into animal evolution and comparative biology, and study animal and plant ecology.

In your third year, you’ll study animal infectious diseases, exploring the approaches to controlling these and the impact these have on human health and safety, in addition to veterinary immunology, unpicking the anatomy of various animal species and exploring their immune responses. You’ll also select four modules, exploring topics such as animal behaviour, animal diversity, epidemiology of infectious diseases and food security.

You’ll also complete a research project, bringing together all the practical, analytical, and presentation skills you’ve developed.

Facilities

You’ll benefit from hands-on learning in our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory, where TV screens are used to show you how to conduct experiments and follow scientific protocols. You’ll also use our Veterinary Pathology Centre, home to our microscopy suites and pathology laboratories.

Our facilities are fitted with the latest industry equipment, that you’ll use to carry out a full range of experiments. You’ll complete your first experiment within your first two weeks.

You’ll familiarise yourself with veterinary biosciences methodology and develop the practical laboratory experience that’s essential in a research career and valued by a wide range of employers.

In your final year, depending on your research project, you may also get to our dissertation laboratory.

Watch our School of Biosciences tour and School of Veterinary Medicine tour to look around our state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.

Teaching staff

We have a research-led focus to our teaching, ensuring everything you learn is up-to-date and relevant to employers. You’ll be taught by lecturers who are active researchers within their respective fields. These may include:

Professional recognition

BSc (Hons) - Royal Society of Biology
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

Careers and graduate prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.

This course will prepare you for a wide range of careers in:

  • Animal health and disease
  • Animal nutrition
  • Biological sciences
  • Ecology and conservation
  • Public health
  • Veterinary research.

97% of our biosciences and medicine graduates go on to employment or further study.* Typical roles include:

  • Animal health officers 
  • Laboratory managers
  • Research scientists.

Our alumni can be found in hospital, academic and industrial research laboratories around the world, with recent graduates working for:

  • The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
  • Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
  • Sainsbury’s
  • NHS
  • The Pirbright Institute
  • Public Health England.

With the critical thinking, analysis, problem solving, decision-making, and communication skills learnt throughout the course, several graduates have sought alternative careers in management and consultancy.

Many students also use this course to apply for further study, including postgraduate research and veterinary medicine programmes.

*Graduate Outcomes survey 2022, HESA.

Academic year structure

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.

The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.

Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.

Optional modules for Foundation - FHEQ Level 3

For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 please view the programme specification for the full-time BSc (Hons) Veterinary Biosciences

Timetables

Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).

Teaching

Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:

  • Distance-learning (on occasion)
  • Group work (e.g. discussion groups)
  • Laboratory-based practicals
  • Lectures
  • Online learning
  • Role plays
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials.

Outside of these, you’ll be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, essays, laboratory write-ups and reading.

There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.

Assessment

We use a variety of methods to assess you, including:

  • Coursework
  • Essays
  • Examinations
  • Practical write-ups
  • Presentations.

Contact hours

You’ll spend almost half of your first-year teaching in laboratory-based practicals and around a quarter throughout your second year.

Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.

Entry requirements

A-level

Overall: BBB.

Required subjects: Biology at grade B and a second science (including Geography) or Mathematics.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

Foundation year: A-level CCC (or equivalent) to include one Science A-level.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at grade C(4) (or equivalent).

BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma

Overall: DDM in Applied Science or Animal Management (please contact us if you are taking a different BTEC).

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

International Baccalaureate

Overall: 32.

Required subjects: HL5/SL6 in Biology or Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics.

GCSE or equivalent: English and Maths HL4/SL4.

European Baccalaureate

Overall: 75%.

Required subjects: Grade 7.5 in Biology or Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics.

GCSE or equivalent: English 6 (Language 1/2) or 7 (Language 3), and Mathematics (5 Period) .

Access to HE Diploma

Overall: QAA-recognised Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall including 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit.

Required subjects: This must include 15 credits in Biology and 15 credits in a second science or Mathematics.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

Scottish Highers

Overall: ABBBB.

Required subject: Biology or Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Maths Scottish National 5,C.

Welsh Baccalaureate

Overall: Pass overall with BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels.

Required subjects: A-level Biology or Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics ­– Numeracy as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate. Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

T Level

Overall: Distinction

Required subject: Science

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

Foundation year: T Level Pass

Required subject: Science

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer for this programme, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.

Applicants can only receive one grade reduction from the published grades, an EPQ grade reduction can’t be applied in addition to other grade reductions made through other schemes such as Contextual Admissions or In2Surrey.

Do I meet the requirements for this course?

We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).

International entry requirements by country

Other international qualifications

If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

We normally make offers in terms of grades.

If you are a suitable candidate you may be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.

Foundation

If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this course with a foundation year. A course with a foundation year includes an extra year of study to prepare you for a full degree course. Find out more about our degrees with foundation year.

Recognition of prior learning

We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. 

If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. 

There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information. 

Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries. 

Fees

The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2024

BSc (Hons)

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
To be confirmed

BSc (Hons) (with professional training year)

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
To be confirmed
Professional training
To be confirmed

BSc (Hons) (with foundation year)

UK
To be confirmed

BSc (Hons) (with foundation and professional training year)

UK
To be confirmed
Professional training
To be confirmed

View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.

  • Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms. 
  • Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
  • Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements. 
  • Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements. 

The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.

Payment schedule

  • Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
  • International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
    • 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
    • 50% in January of the same academic year.

The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.

If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.

Professional Training placement fees

If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.

See the information about 2023/24 academic year Professional Training placement fees.

Additional costs

There are associated costs with this course:

  • Safety equipment and/or uniform: £23 – equipment pack (includes laboratory coat, laboratory glasses, laboratory books, pen and bag). You are responsible for the costs associated with maintaining/washing/replacing any equipment.

Grand total: £23.

These additional costs are accurate as of September 2022 and apply to the 2023 year of entry. Costs for 2024 entry will be published in September 2023.

Placements

Our award-winning Professional Training programme offers you the option to spend a career-enhancing year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. We have thousands of placement providers to choose from or you can source your own placement. 

Most placements are paid, and we will support you every step of the way. 

Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices. 

Veterinary biosciences placements

Your placement will give you the opportunity to work alongside veterinary scientists and veterinary surgeons in several disciplines, such as:

  • Bacteriology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Epidemiology
  • Pathology
  • Risk analysis and parasitology
  • Virology.

You can choose to work for a range of employers, including veterinary surgeries, zoological parks, conservation centres and sanctuaries, to practise and enhance your skills. Previous students have gained placements with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and The Pirbright Institute.

We also have an extensive number of partner institutions that offer placements exclusively to Surrey students, giving you access to research laboratories across the world. Our partner institutions include:

  • Åbo Akademi University, Finland
  • CEU San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain
  • Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
  • University of Eastern Finland, Finland
  • University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Applying for placements

Students are generally not placed by the University, however we offer support and guidance throughout the process alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. We also provide support if you wish to source your own placement. 

Find out more about the application process.

Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.

Find out how students at Surrey developed their skills in industry by undertaking a placement year.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect. 

Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.  

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

Placement location

As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement which would require attendance off campus, depending on where you secure your placement.

Additional information

Some modules on this course will be taught at the School of Veterinary Medicine on our Manor Park campus.

University of Surrey Admissions

Contact Admissions Team

Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH