Best Universities for Biology in the UK 2027
Durham University ranks first for biology in 2027, followed by Edge Hill University in second and the University of Exeter in third. The Unifresher ranking compares 51 universities using eight measures built around academic outcomes and the complete student experience.
Biology courses vary widely in their balance of molecular science, organisms, ecology, evolution, fieldwork and data analysis. Unifresher helps students compare those choices without treating prestige as the whole answer, combining teaching and graduate outcomes with support, affordability, safety, social life and sustainability.
Why this ranking is student-first: applicants are choosing a course, a university and a place to live. Unifresher combines transparent academic and career measures with the practical factors that shape students' daily experience.
Top universities for biology in 2027
The top three combine different strengths. Durham leads overall and has the strongest earnings figure on the podium, Edge Hill records outstanding teaching and the second-highest satisfaction result in the table, and Exeter combines strong course scores with a broad research environment.
Durham University
Durham
The strongest complete result, with 96% teaching quality and 91% academic support.
Edge Hill University
Ormskirk
Second overall, with 83% satisfaction and 96% academic support.
University of Exeter
Exeter
Third overall, supported by 90% teaching quality, 91% academic support and 79% satisfaction.
How the biology ranking works
Eight measures create a fuller comparison
Unifresher combines academic and graduate results with the practical factors students experience throughout university. This helps applicants compare both the biology course and the place where they will live and study.
Biology University Rankings 2027
Search or sort all 51 universities. Sorting changes the comparison order only; every university's official published rank remains in the first column.
| Rank | University | Graduate earnings | Satisfaction | Teaching | Academic support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham University Durham | £31,500 | 78% | 96% | 91% | 155 |
| 2 | Edge Hill University Ormskirk | £24,000 | 83% | 98% | 96% | 146 |
| 3 | University of Exeter Exeter | £26,500 | 79% | 90% | 91% | 143 |
| 4 | Bath Spa University Bath | £22,500 | 79% | 95% | 95% | 141 |
| 5 | University of Bristol Bristol | £27,000 | 73% | 97% | 92% | 136 |
| 6 | Swansea University Swansea | £26,000 | 79% | 81% | 83% | 133 |
| 6 | University of East Anglia (UEA) Norwich | £26,000 | 79% | 93% | 93% | 133 |
| 7 | University of Essex Colchester | £28,500 | 74% | 92% | 97% | 131 |
| 8 | Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool | £24,500 | 72% | 95% | 98% | 130 |
| 9 | University of Worcester Worcester | £25,000 | 79% | 90% | 77% | 129 |
| 9 | University of St Andrews St Andrews | £28,500 | 84% | 96% | 96% | 129 |
| 9 | Lancaster University Lancaster | £27,000 | 82% | 99% | 97% | 129 |
| 9 | Bangor University Bangor | £24,000 | 76% | 86% | 86% | 128 |
| 10 | University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham / Gloucester | £24,000 | 76% | 98% | 96% | 127 |
| 11 | University of Oxford Oxford | £29,500 | 76% | 93% | 89% | 125 |
| 12 | University of Salford Salford | £25,000 | 73% | 97% | 97% | 124 |
| 13 | Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield | £25,000 | 73% | 95% | 95% | 121 |
| 14 | Canterbury Christ Church University Canterbury | £29,000 | 73% | 84% | 89% | 120 |
| 14 | University of Bath Bath | £28,000 | 80% | 91% | 94% | 120 |
| 15 | University of Leeds Leeds | £27,000 | 74% | 88% | 88% | 114 |
| 15 | Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge | £24,000 | 70% | 95% | 95% | 114 |
| 16 | Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester | £24,000 | 73% | 87% | 90% | 112 |
| 16 | Keele University Newcastle-under-Lyme | £24,000 | 81% | 89% | 95% | 112 |
| 17 | Royal Holloway, University of London Egham | £26,000 | 74% | 81% | 96% | 111 |
| 18 | University of York York | £27,000 | 77% | 86% | 86% | 110 |
| 19 | University of Liverpool Liverpool | £22,500 | 71% | 85% | 94% | 108 |
| 20 | University of Edinburgh Edinburgh | £30,000 | 74% | 87% | 84% | 102 |
| 20 | University of Manchester Manchester | £26,000 | 70% | 88% | 87% | 102 |
| 21 | University of Aberdeen Aberdeen | £25,000 | 76% | 89% | 91% | 97 |
| 21 | University of Portsmouth Portsmouth | £25,000 | 77% | 98% | 94% | 97 |
| 22 | Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne | £23,500 | 75% | 76% | 86% | 94 |
| 23 | University of Chester Chester | £24,000 | 78% | 82% | 91% | 93 |
| 23 | University of Greenwich London | £25,000 | 69% | 88% | 88% | 93 |
| 23 | University of Sussex Brighton and Hove | £25,000 | 77% | 91% | 86% | 93 |
| 24 | University of Kent Canterbury | £25,000 | 72% | 78% | 76% | 91 |
| 25 | Liverpool Hope University Liverpool | £25,500 | 80% | 90% | 93% | 89 |
| 26 | University of Glasgow Glasgow | £25,500 | 75% | 85% | 88% | 87 |
| 26 | University of Nottingham Nottingham | £24,500 | 74% | 89% | 91% | 87 |
| 26 | University of Stirling Stirling | £24,000 | 78% | 92% | 92% | 87 |
| 27 | University of Suffolk Ipswich | £22,500 | 76% | 93% | 86% | 83 |
| 28 | Imperial College London London | £35,000 | 66% | 93% | 90% | 80 |
| 28 | University of Hull Hull | £27,000 | 76% | 96% | 89% | 80 |
| 29 | University of Leicester Leicester | £22,000 | 73% | 79% | 94% | 79 |
| 30 | University of Derby Derby | £23,500 | 74% | 79% | 74% | 78 |
| 30 | Queen Mary University of London London | £26,000 | 69% | 87% | 87% | 78 |
| 31 | University of Huddersfield Huddersfield | £22,000 | 74% | 72% | 88% | 77 |
| 32 | King's College London London | £28,000 | 67% | 70% | 70% | 75 |
| 33 | University of Southampton Southampton | £27,000 | 76% | 82% | 83% | 74 |
| 34 | University of Central Lancashire Preston | £22,500 | 71% | 90% | 80% | 72 |
| 35 | University of Dundee Dundee | £22,500 | 75% | 84% | 89% | 71 |
| 36 | Teesside University Middlesbrough | £23,000 | 78% | 83% | 77% | 58 |
What the biology ranking shows
Durham ranks first
Durham University leads with a score of 155 and one of the strongest earnings figures in the table.
Imperial College London
Imperial has the highest graduate-earnings figure at £35,000 and shares 28th place overall.
University of St Andrews
St Andrews records the strongest student-satisfaction result at 84% and shares ninth place.
Lancaster University
Lancaster leads teaching quality with 99% and also records 97% academic support.
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool John Moores has the highest support result in the table at 98%.
Median earnings are £25,000
The midpoint across all 51 graduate-earnings figures is £25,000.
What this ranking tells you about studying biology
Biology is one of the broadest science degrees. A course may move from cells and genetics to physiology, evolution, ecology, behaviour and environmental change, while another may specialise much earlier. The most useful shortlist begins with the areas of biology you want to explore and the way you prefer to learn.
Durham leads, but the podium tells a wider story
Durham ranks first with strong results across earnings, teaching and support. Edge Hill follows with 98% teaching quality and 83% satisfaction, while Exeter places third. The result demonstrates why Unifresher's student-first ranking can surface teaching-focused universities alongside research-intensive names.
Why Unifresher looks beyond prestige: biology students experience laboratories, fieldwork, feedback, living costs and support throughout the degree. Combining those factors creates a more realistic comparison of where students may learn well and feel able to thrive.
The highest earnings figure sits outside the top 20
Imperial records the highest graduate-earnings figure at £35,000 and shares 28th place. Durham follows at £31,500 and ranks first, while Edinburgh records £30,000 and shares 20th. The contrast shows why salary can be important without describing the complete student or academic experience.
Teaching and satisfaction highlight different universities
Lancaster records the highest teaching result at 99%, St Andrews leads satisfaction at 84%, and Liverpool John Moores records the strongest academic support at 98%. These universities share ninth, ninth and eighth place respectively, showing how the complete ranking rewards a balance of outcomes rather than a single headline number.
Broad biology can preserve flexibility
A broad degree can allow students to explore molecular biology, genetics, physiology, ecology and evolution before choosing later modules. Specialist courses such as zoology, ecology or marine biology may offer more focused fieldwork and facilities. Check whether changing pathways is possible after the first year and whether optional modules actually run every year.
Laboratory and fieldwork provision should be compared separately
Ask how many practical hours are scheduled, how large teaching groups are and when students begin independent work. For field-based courses, check the destinations, duration, accessibility, compulsory status and costs of residential trips. Strong practical experience can be as important as the module list when applying for placements or postgraduate study.
Accreditation provides an additional course-level check
Royal Society of Biology accreditation follows independent assessment of named bioscience programmes and their development of relevant knowledge and skills. It can add useful context, but it is optional and applies to the exact course. Students should check the current directory and still compare facilities, modules and student work.
Placements and research projects can shape career preparation
A year in industry, summer studentship, field placement or substantial dissertation can help students turn a broad biology degree into a clearer career direction. Compare how opportunities are advertised, whether places are competitive, what support is provided and whether the course includes statistics, coding and scientific communication.
Graduate earnings need context
The table ranges from £22,000 to £35,000, with a median of £25,000. HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after course completion. Individual outcomes vary according to specialism, role, location, practical experience, postgraduate study and whether graduates enter scientific or non-scientific work.
How to use the ranking when choosing a biology degree
Compare compulsory modules and later options
Check how much molecular, organismal, ecological and evolutionary biology is required before students specialise.
Review laboratory and fieldwork provision
Ask about practical hours, group sizes, equipment, technical support, field courses and additional travel or accommodation costs.
Investigate placements and research experience
Compare industry years, summer projects, field placements, careers support and the scope of the final-year research project.
Check accreditation and current course details
Use the RSB directory as an additional check, then compare the exact modules, facilities and assessment for your intake.
Related Unifresher rankings and student guides
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best university for biology in the UK in 2027?
Durham University ranks first in the 2027 Unifresher biology ranking with an overall score of 155. Edge Hill University is second with 146, and the University of Exeter is third with 143.
How many universities are included in the biology ranking?
The published 2027 Unifresher biology ranking compares 51 universities across eight academic, career and student-experience measures. All 51 universities and every supplied result appear in the table.
What graduate earnings are shown for biology?
The graduate-earnings figures range from £22,000 to £35,000, with a median of £25,000 across the 51 universities. Imperial College London has the highest figure at £35,000. These are comparative graduate outcomes rather than guaranteed starting salaries.
When are graduate outcomes measured?
HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after students complete their higher education studies. The figures describe outcomes at that survey point, not salaries six months after graduation.
Does accreditation matter for a biology degree?
Royal Society of Biology accreditation can be a useful sign that a named bioscience programme has undergone independent assessment of its academic foundation and skills development. Accreditation applies to the exact course, so check the current RSB directory rather than assuming every biology programme at a university is accredited.
What is the difference between biology, biological sciences and life sciences?
Biology and biological sciences often cover overlapping areas such as cells, genetics, physiology, ecology and evolution. Life sciences can be used for a broader group that may also include biochemistry, biotechnology or pharmacology. Compare compulsory modules and later specialisms because course content matters more than the label.
Should I study biology, zoology, ecology or marine biology?
A broad biology degree can preserve flexibility while you explore different areas. A named specialist degree may offer more focused modules, fieldwork and facilities from the start. Compare how easily students can change pathways, which modules are compulsory and whether fieldwork costs are included.
What should I look for in a biology degree?
Compare laboratory and fieldwork hours, practical class sizes, module flexibility, statistics and coding, research projects, specialist facilities, placement or study-abroad options, RSB accreditation, teaching, academic support and any additional field-course costs.
Is biology a suitable degree before graduate-entry medicine?
Biology can provide relevant scientific preparation, but graduate-entry medicine requirements vary substantially between medical schools. Some programmes accept a broad range of degrees, while others specify scientific content, grades, admissions tests or prior qualifications. Check each medical school's current entry requirements before planning this route.
Why does Unifresher include student-life measures in a biology ranking?
Biology degrees can involve long practical sessions, fieldwork, independent study and specialist costs. Unifresher combines teaching, support and graduate outcomes with affordability, safety, social life and sustainability so students can compare both the course and the environment in which they will study.
Ranking, accreditation and course information
- Unifresher university rankings methodology for the eight measures and subject-ranking process.
- HESA Graduate Outcomes definitions for the approximately 15-month survey point.
- Royal Society of Biology degree accreditation for how bioscience programmes are assessed.
- Royal Society of Biology accredited-programme directory for checking an exact course.
- UCAS biological sciences guide for current course research and career ideas.
- IBMS biomedical scientist registration guidance for understanding the separate professional route.
