Biology is the science of life and is at the forefront of social change, from the use of genetically-modified organisms to humanity’s effect on the environment, sustainable energy and food production. Study Biomedical Science, the fundamental building block of medical practice, or the way living organisms function at molecular level, from viruses and bacteria to humans, plants and other higher organisms with a Biochemistry degree.
100% of impact case studies submitted in the Research Excellence
Framework 2021 were assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Our vision
We aspire to be
recognised for delivering world-class research and teaching excellence
in the natural sciences, transforming our society through our innovative
and interdisciplinary research, and educating our students to enhance
and improve the local and global community.
At Kent, academics, researchers and students are all part of the
same close-knit scientific community. We welcome staff and students from
all over the world and have a strong commitment to equality and diversity within everything we do. Together we create success.
We
are committed to helping you to make the best possible start in your career.
All our undergraduate programmes offer the opportunity to spend a year on a work
placement (sandwich year), which is a great way to boost your employability prospects by
putting your learning into practice and making contacts in industry.
The
subjects have a specialist employability and placements team who help you with valuable
internship and training opportunities.
The School also benefits from having close working
relationships with KMMS (Kent and Medway Medical School) and the East Kent
Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. These links allow our students to
utilise the facilities for practical sessions, such as live video surgery.
I wanted some help getting work experience over the summer and they (the employability team) pointed me in the direction of a few websites that advertise jobs. The Employability Festival opened my eyes to other career avenues.
Inspirational teaching
Our world-leading research feeds directly into our teaching; our
courses provide cutting-edge content and you learn about the latest
breakthroughs in scientific research. We use a range of teaching
methods, from traditional lectures and laboratory classes to hands-on
work.
Our emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work allows you to
develop a confidence that can extend well beyond your studies, allowing
you to tackle new and unfamiliar challenges. This aspect of our teaching
has proved to be popular with many employers and we have an outstanding
record for graduate employment.
The School has achieved national
and international recognition for providing high-quality teaching and
all our undergraduate degrees are accredited by the relevant professional bodies,
ensuring you have excellent job prospects.
Research excellence
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2022, 100% of our submissions were rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'. This sees an increase in its overall GPA to 3.24 from the previous REF in 2014.
Our research groups attract funding from sponsors including Horizon2020, the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK, the Gates Foundation and UK research councils. We also have joint projects with a wide range of companies, research institutes, other universities and the NHS.
Our research benefits all our students and we offer many opportunities
to take part, for instance, final-year undergraduate or
postgraduate research projects, summer internships, or by joining the
lab apprenticeship scheme.
State-of-the-art facilities
At Kent, you have access to the most up-to-date resources and can
gain hands-on experience in our laboratories.
In Biosciences, we are working hard to create a welcoming, supportive and diverse community for all our staff and students. We are committed to supporting all staff and students to develop their skills and realise their potential more effectively, to the benefit of everyone.
Biosciences is based on our Canterbury campus with its first-class academic and leisure facilities. We are equipped with the latest resources and our beautiful setting offers plenty of tranquil spaces to study and relax.
Everything you need on campus is within walking distance, including a general store, a bookshop, bank, cinema, theatre, a medical centre and a pharmacy. You can go off campus to explore the city's medieval buildings, historic pubs and an array of shops; visit the seaside towns of Whitstable, Margate or Broadstairs with their beautiful beaches, or head to London, just an hour away by high-speed train.