2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
BSc Physiological Science (B120)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: BBB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Intercalation
Current medical, dental or veterinary science students can apply for entry onto the third year of this course.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£27,200 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
You will explore all the major mammalian body systems from a molecular level up to whole body responses.
In the first year you will learn the physiology of how the body works, system by system, including in-depth exploration of the cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
This equips you to undertake an integrated approach to physiology in your second year, such as understanding the demands of exercise and how we form memories. Alongside physiology, you will have the opportunity to study complementary subjects, including pharmacology, anatomy and psychology, broadening your knowledge base of the biomedical sciences.
By the third year you will be getting to grips with the latest cutting-edge research, taught by staff who are internationally recognised in their research area on topics such as neurological and psychiatric disorders and the heart in health and disease. You will also have the opportunity to explore physiological topics of interest in greater depth by engaging in one of a wide variety of research projects.
Graduates in BSc Physiological Science have wide-ranging skills and go on to take up a variety of careers, including roles within biomedical and healthcare research, graduate medicine, teaching and management.
This course is available for intercalation.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
AAB including two core science/mathematics subjects
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
A-level contextual offer
BBB including two core science/mathematics subjects
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
BTEC
DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 at Higher Level in two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations), Psychology
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 at Higher Level in two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations), Psychology
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall, with 8.5, 8.0 in two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB in two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Mathematics of Mechanics or Psychology, and Standard Higher: AAABB
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: 24 credits at Distinction and 21 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits (with 9 at Distinction) each in two of: Biology or Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Psychology.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics), Psychology.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile E qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: