Biology and Mathematics - BSc (Hons)
From modelling the spread of a virus to exploring complex biological processes, our research active staff will guide you through a carefully crafted curriculum arming you with a flexible skillset to pursue a wide variety of careers.
Year of entry
- 2024
Course type
- Combined Honours
Location
Subject area / School
UCAS code
- CG11
Duration of study
- 3 years / 4 years with international or placement year
Why study Biology and Mathematics at Keele University?
Course overview
Our combined honours Biology and Mathematics BSc will provide you with a breadth of knowledge and diverse skills across two exciting subjects.
The biology component of this programme covers a range of fundamentals topics, as well as themes such as physiology and anatomy, ecology and plant biology and viruses and parasites. You will explore the adaptability of life to differing environments, the biology of pathogens, and will learn how to design an experiment and analyse data. You can also begin to tailor your degree to your own interests and career aspirations with a range of optional modules.
Within mathematics you will develop your understanding of core areas including calculus, algebra, probability and analysis. Particular attention will be given to making sure you have a solid foundation in mathematical methods and techniques. Mathematics can be related to almost every aspect of the world we live in. This is why our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of the discipline, so you can apply these principles to the real world. We will train you to think logically, construct rigorous proofs, introduce useful mathematical structures and think in abstract terms.
Mathematics teaching related module
If you are interested in entering the teaching profession after graduation, our third-year module will provide you with the principles of the teaching of mathematics linked to current educational practice (includes time spent in school on work placement - subject to availability.)
Gain practical experience in industry
In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. From a year working in industry and paid internships to summer secondment research placements in the UK or overseas, our programme offers many opportunities to become familiar with the professional working environment, develop professional contacts and apply the biological skills and theories you have learnt. Please note as a combined honours student, if you are interested in undertaking a placement year you will be required to choose between a placement aligned to either Biology or Mathematics.
Student support
We offer a multi layered student support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. You will benefit from the support of an assigned academic mentor and a member of staff from Keele's Student Experience and Support team.
Societies
We have a wealth of student-led societies which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to your field is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for the area and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people, make friends and share interests with fellow students.
Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. This means we aim to create a diverse and inclusive culture in which you can thrive. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda is embedded throughout our programme, and the School of Computer Science and Mathematics is proud to hold a school-level Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition for activities in this area.
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Related Courses
Accreditation and professional recognition
This programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology if you choose to specialise in Biology in your final year. If you choose to specialise in Mathematics there is no accreditaion available.
Additional opportunities
There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English Language requirements you may need.
Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
A Level
BBB in three A Levels including B in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma
DDM in any of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas / National Extended Diplomas: Engineering
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)
BTEC National Diploma / Diploma
Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and B in Maths A Level
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma
Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BB in two A Levels including B in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
T Level
Merit in any of the following T Levels: Engineering and Manufacturing
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
International Baccalaureate Diploma
555 in three Higher Levels including Maths (any), or 30 points including 5 in Higher Level Maths (any)
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
International Baccalaureate Careers Programme
We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Access to HE Diploma
122 UCAS points in an Access to HE Diploma with Maths related content, including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice on whether your chosen course would qualify.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru
The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.
Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers
BBBCC in five Highers including Maths Higher, or CC in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers including Maths Higher or Advanced Higher, or CCC in three Advanced Highers including Maths Advanced Higher.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Core Maths
If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Ireland - Leaving Certificate
H3, H3, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate including H4 in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China - Gaokao
73% in the Gaokao including 70% in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India - Standard XII
Average of 70% from four subjects including 70% in Maths in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 75% from four subjects including 75% in Maths in any other Standard XII.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Germany - Abitur
2.2 overall average in the Abitur including 12 in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
France - Baccalaureate
12.5 in the French Baccalaureate including 13 in Maths, or 12 in the International Option Baccalaureate including 12 in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Hong Kong - Diploma
444 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE including Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Spain - Bachillerato
Overall average of 7.4 in the Título de Bachillerato including 8 in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato
80% in the Esame di Stato including 8 in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Cyprus - Apolytirion
18 / 86% in the Apolytirion including Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Portugal
Overall average of 15.5 in a Secondary Certificate including 16 in Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada - Diploma
65% / BBBCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma including 70% in Advanced Functions and 70% in Calculus and Vectors
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya - KCSE / Diploma
We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND
We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
USA - Advanced Placement
444 from three Advanced Placement subjects including Calculus (either)
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Sri Lanka - Advanced Level
Malaysia - STPM
BBB in three subjects in the STPM including Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate
We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Singapore - A Levels (H2)
BBB in three H2 Levels including B in Combined Maths
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
European Baccalaureate
72% overall with 7 in Maths (5 period)
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
English Language Requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.
Alternative and contextual offers
We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
"Having a Maths degree gives you a keen eye for detail and this is something employers love. My team working and presentation skills have been enhanced by working in groups for some modules as well as presenting to a panel of lecturers helped me interact with a variety of people and prepared me for the workplace."
Learn from our campus - our own 'living laboratory'
Fieldwork is embedded into core modules throughout your studies to help you acquire key skills in surveying organism distributions and the identification of specimens. Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic experimentation environment to perform fieldwork, test new ideas and discover solutions to real-world problems. It's also a great way to foster connections with academics and peers and apply your learning to real-world situations.
From our lake system, grasslands and woodlands to local zoos and nature reserves, you will have the opportunity to study in an authentic environment whilst practicing in a sustainable manner. You may also have the opportunity to study tropical biology on a field course in Malaysia. This is an optional course with additional costs and it takes place in the summer between years two and three.
Sector-leading in environmental education
At Keele we're leading the sector in sustainability, not just in our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2030 but also through our teaching and our ground-breaking research into climate change and renewable technologies. In 2021 we were awarded the prestigious title of Global Sustainability Institution of the Year (International Green Gown Awards, 2021).
Find out more about Keele’s commitment to sustainability.
Central Science Laboratories
Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories
Facilities
The David Attenborough Laboratories
The David Attenborough Laboratories have significantly expanded the School of Life Sciences’ teaching and research areas, and provide two additional state-of-the-art teaching laboratories with space for 120 students between them and two additional research laboratories.
Equipment and methods you will become familiar with during practical laboratory work include:
- Microscopy - a vital tool for all biologists
- Molecular biology methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Fruit fly genetics - understand the principles of heredity through experimental investigations
- Electrophysiology equipment to study nerve and muscle physiology
The research laboratories will make a significant contribution to the Global Health Initiative at Keele, and will be home to researchers working on neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, spinal injury, oncology, viral infections and carbohydrate biochemistry.
Central Science Laboratory
You will benefit from our state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratory (CSL) building for practical laboratory work and computational teaching. The CSL is part of the biggest single investment in learning and teaching in the University’s history. In Mathematics you will have access to a suite of facilities. These include; a dedicated mathematics workroom that houses study space, computers and white boards to facilitate independent and group study, seven computer labs (open 24/7), a high-performance cluster of computers (used for research and projects) and a Jupyterhub server (used to write Python code off-campus).
Foundation year
Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.
This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.
Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.
The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.
The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.
Course content
Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.
The Keele University Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Biology and Mathematics degree. For example, the Foundations of Life Sciences module looks at basic cell biology in terms of structure and function and goes on to examine how cells obtain their energy for example, by photosynthesis, and raw materials, for example via the nitrogen cycle. In addition, the Advancing Mathematical Methods module continues to develop your understanding of the key mathematical techniques and methods used across a wide range of applied mathematics, as well in other areas of pure mathematics. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.
Course Structure
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Semester One Modules
| FYO-00185 | Practical and Academic Skills in Science | 15 credits |
| FYO-00189 | Foundations of Life Sciences | 15 credits |
| FYO-00217 | Foundations of Mathematical Methods | 30 credits |
Semester Two Modules
| FYO-00191 | Advancing Life Sciences | 30 credits |
| FYO-00229 | Advancing Mathematical Methods | 30 credits |
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements.
- 56 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A Level, BTEC, Access Course, or T Level)
- Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English and C in GCSE Maths / Level 2 Functional Skills Maths
How to Apply
Students will need to apply for Biology with Foundation Year (UCAS code C103) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.
Direct Entry Students
If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.
The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.
We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.
Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.
In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.
Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.
For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.
Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.