Biology Courses
Discover more about the fascinating biological world all around you.
The Open University provides a range of biology modules and qualifications. Choose the right one for you, whether you want to expand your subject knowledge or develop and change your career.
Biology
Degrees
- Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
- Internationally respected, universally understood.
- An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
- Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
- Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Total of 360 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Biology
Diplomas
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
- Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
Total of 240 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Biology
Certificates
- Widely recognised qualification.
- Equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
- Study for interest or career development.
- Shows that you can study successfully at university level.
- Count it towards further qualifications such as a DipHE or honours degree.
Total of 120 credits
- Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
- One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
- You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
- For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Why study Biology with The Open University?
Join other OU undergraduate students to discover and benefit from our long-established, quality distance-learning teaching. We also use innovative technologies to provide a supported and varied learning experience. Study biology with us, and you will:
- Explore and develop your knowledge of a wide range of biology subjects and applications while developing your scientific skills.
- Undertake a range of home and field investigations, as well as virtual experiments delivered through our award-winning OpenScience Laboratory.
- Design and undertake your own small research project.
- Have opportunities to further develop fieldwork and practical skills through optional short residential schools.
- Become an adaptable graduate with a range of transferable skills that are highly valued in scientific and non-scientific job markets.
Careers in Biology
Study Biology with The Open University and you’ll be developing the scientific problem-solving, analytical, investigative and communication skills that many employers require. You’ll be able to apply your new knowledge and skills in many different areas and fields of work.
Our range of courses in Biology can help you start or progress your career in a wide range of areas, including:
- Teaching
- Research or postgraduate study
- Veterinary, agriculture and medical-related fields
- Biotechnology and biomedical engineering
- Environmental management and conservation
- Government departments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charities
Looking for something other than a qualification?
The majority of our modules can be studied by themselves, on a stand-alone basis. If you later choose to work towards a qualification, you may be able to count your study towards it.
All Biology courses
Browse all the Biology courses we offer – certificates, diplomas and degrees.
See our full list of Biology courses
Email us
From exploring the right course for you to helping you register, our advisers can help.
Call us
As part of the OU’s response to Coronavirus, we have temporarily removed this option.
Please use the ‘Email us’ option to contact us.
Write to us at:
Student Recruitment
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
