Skip to content

BSc (Honours) Human Biology

Student on exercise bike
Year of Entry 2023/24
BSc (Honours)

Human Biology

Gain an in depth understanding of the human body in health and disease whilst developing the skills you will need for a career as a graduate scientist.


Everything you need to know...

What is the fee? Home: £9,250 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
International/EU: £15,860 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
How long will I study? 4 Years
Where will I study? City Campus
What are the entry requirements?

112-120 UCAS points

What is the UCAS code? C101
When do I start? September 2023
Placement year available? Yes

UG open day 2022

Come to an open day

Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.

Learn more

Course summary

  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of biological principles of anatomy, physiology, cell biology, reproduction, genetics and biochemistry
  • Develop confidence and ability to engage with exciting current developments at the frontiers of human biology.
  • Carry out a research project on a topic area that interests you.

Human beings are complex and fascinating. In an age when there is so much discovery transforming our approach to medicine, genomics, stem cells and lifestyle, this course offers a real opportunity to have an important impact on the world.


Student View
Watch student Victoria Clifton talk about what it's like to study on this course.

How you learn

Watch course leader Dr Neil Cross talk about this course.


All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Attending and participating in the laboratory activities is central to your course, as it's where you develop not only practical skills, but also learn to keep effective records, analyse data, design and plan procedures as well as working both independently and with others.

You learn through

  • core lectures
  • laboratory work
  • small group academic tutorials

Course leaders and tutors

Neil Cross
Neil Cross
Reader in Cancer Biology

Senior Lecturer in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Applied learning

Work placements

In year three, you have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in the real world with a work placement. This is an important chance to gain the experience and professional skills that can give you the all-important edge at the start of your career. Work experience of any sort helps to attract the attention of future employers.

We offer you the opportunity to apply for placements in a wide range of institutions, including the NHS, schools and colleges, industry and medical research. If you are unable to commit to a year, it is also possible to work for a shorter amount of time on placement, such as during the summer. This shorter placement can also contribute to your degree. If you are doing your work placement in another European country there may be funding available through the Erasmus programme.

Live projects

Mini-projects are included in the first and second year where you develop experimental design and planning abilities as well as building confidence in practical skills. These lead to a more independent extended research project during the final BSc year, with further advanced projects being undertaken if you continue for an additional MSci year.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

  • healthcare industries
  • research laboratories
  • pharmaceutical industries

Many of our graduates go on to postgraduate study, including research degrees (PhD), masters degrees (MSc)or post-graduate teaching courses, or go on to study dietetics and nutrition, medicine or dentistry.

Accreditation

Graduates of BSc (Honours) Human Biology

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

Get directions
students working on computers in the library
Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

Learn more

Equipment and facilities

On this course you work in industrial-standard, well-equipped laboratories. At the end of each year you carry out a mini-project that applies the skills developed through the year to a human biology case study.


Learn more about your department

Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour

Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.

Department page

Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

  • 112-120

From A levels (including at least 32 points in Biology) or equivalent BTEC national qualification in Applied Science to include suitable biology modules. We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types. For example:

  • BBB-BBC at A Level including Biology.
  • DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science will be considered (please include units on application).
  • BTEC Diploma in Applied Science D*D with relevant biology modules (please include units on application) alongside other level 3 study.
  • A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s), which may include AS levels or EPQ.

GCSE

  • English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
  • Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

¿ Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.

* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent

¿ equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) and explore any issues you may have.

Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules
Module Credits Assessment
Module: Cellular Biology And Biochemistry With Microbiology Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Human Physiology And Anatomy Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Human Reproduction And Development Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Labs Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Skills Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Module: Topics In Human Biology Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam

Year 2

Compulsory modules
Module Credits Assessment
Module: Advanced Cell Biology Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Control Physiology Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Molecular Biology And Biochemistry Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 2 Credits: 40 Assessment: Coursework
Practical
Elective modules
Module Credits Assessment
Module: Immunology And Microbiology Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Pathological Basis Of Disease Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam

Year 3

Compulsory modules
Module Credits Assessment
Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 3 Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework

Final year

Compulsory modules
Module Credits Assessment
Module: Human Nutrition Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Neurobiology Credits: 20 Assessment: Exam
Practical
Module: Research Project Credits: 40 Assessment: Coursework
Elective modules
Module Credits Assessment
Module: Applied Biochemistry Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Bioethics And Human Genetics Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Bioinformatics And Human Genetics Credits: 20 Assessment: Coursework
Exam
Module: Pharmacology Credits: 20 Assessment: Exam
Practical

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £15,860 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

Students sat on a sofa

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Biosciences and chemistry courses (PDF, 238KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

Students sat on a sofa

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more
 

How do I apply?

Apply now via UCAS

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

Come to an open day Ask a question

Where next?

Want to know more about Sheffield Hallam? Get your questions answered with our tips, guides and information.

Image of students in a UG open day

Come to an open day

Meet our students and staff, see our campuses and accommodation, and get all the information you need.

Book now
UG prospectus

Order a prospectus

Find out everything you need to know about studying at Sheffield Hallam.

Order undergraduate prospectus
Accommodation buildings

Find accommodation

We guarantee accommodation for all first year students. All of our halls are in popular student areas, and close to our campuses.

Find your home from home

Cancel event

Are you sure you want to cancel your place on Saturday 12 November?

Close