SCHOOL OF BIOSCIENCES
Our School of Biosciences is the largest of five schools within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and is key to the faculty’s ‘One Health, One Medicine’ focus.
We are known for our excellence in teaching, care and student satisfaction. Our students are taught by supportive lecturers, many of whom are active researchers in their field of study. We continuously review our programmes and modules to ensure we offer the most appropriate, up-to-date and relevant qualifications to secure our students’ dream careers.
Our vibrant research community has a strong and long-standing reputation in microbiology, immunology, vaccinology, systems biology, oncology, cardiovascular science, nutrition, food sciences, dietetics, clinical medicine, sleep and chronobiology, and economics and multi-omics. We also have a growing status in the field of sport and exercise sciences.
Our state-of-the-art facilities are used for both teaching and research. We pride ourselves on the amount of practical laboratory experience we provide to our students, and we continually invest in facilities. This includes our £12.5 million Innovation for Health building where students learn how to use equipment found in pharmaceutical companies, the NHS and research laboratories all over the world.
We aim to educate and develop the highly skilled and employable scientists of tomorrow, and to improve human and animal health through world-leading translational research and innovation in biosciences and health.
Professor Christine Rollier Head of School School of Biosciences
1st for food science
12th for sports science
Complete University Guide 2026
2nd for food science
7th for sports science
15th for biological sciences
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
6th for sports science
7th for nutrition and food science
17th for biomedical science
Guardian University Guide 2026
Top 5: biosciences (non-specific), nutrition and dietetics
Top 10: molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
Top 20: sport and exercise sciences, biomedical sciences (non-specific)
For overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2025
92% of our biosciences graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating
Graduate Outcomes 2025, HESA
*Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all providers listed in the
Our facilities
Our multimillion-pound facilities, fitted with industry-standard equipment, include:
• Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory
• Food and Nutrition Kitchen Lab
• Exercise Physiology Laboratory
• Human Movement Laboratory
• Human Research Unit
• Strength and Conditioning Suite
• Study spaces and central social areas.
To take a virtual tour of our School of Biosciences, visit: 360marketinglab.org. uk/university-of-surrey/ biosciences
Jessica
Biomedical Science with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
“The facilities on my course are great, you gain hands-on skills that align with the theory you’re learning in lectures. Our new common room, The Dot, which is for biosciences students only, is a nice place to wind down with friends and there’s always a seat free.”
Food and Nutrition Kitchen Lab
The School of Biosciences has introduced a Food and Nutrition Kitchen Lab for its food science, nutrition and dietetics students. The new space has capacity for 20 students and a lecturer and will feature three large fixed, domestic-style cooking islands, allowing for 10 cooking stations, one accessible cooking station and a teacher demonstration station. The new facility is part of Surrey’s commitment to providing the best learning experience for its students.
Princess Human Nutrition MSc
“The facilities are state-of-the-art, there’s no other word that comes to mind! I remember the first time I went into the Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory and seeing all of the equipment – it still impresses me today.”
Foundation courses
We offer a foundation year in biosciences for students who do not meet the entry requirements for their chosen undergraduate course, which requires an additional year of study.
On successful completion of the foundation year, students can progress to the first year of the degree course.
Undergraduate courses
We offer undergraduate courses in Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biomedical Science, Veterinary Biosciences, Microbiology, Food Science and Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics, andScience.
Our Professional Training placement scheme is available to undergraduate students within the School of Biosciences. A Professional Training placement gives students the chance to experience what it’s like to work in industry or become part of a research team – this could be in the UK or overseas.
To find out more about our placement scheme, visit: surrey.ac.uk/professionaltraining-placements
Postgraduate courses
We offer masters courses in Biotechnology, Food Science, Human Nutrition, and Nutritional Medicine.
Research courses
We offer postgraduate research courses in Biosciences and Medicine (PhD and MD) and Quantum Biology.
Accreditation
Our Human Nutrition MSc and Nutritional Medicine MSc are accredited by the Association for Nutrition.
Our undergraduate courses are accredited by the following industryleading professional bodies:
• Royal Society of Biology
• Institute of Biomedical Science
• Association for Nutrition
• British Dietetic Association
• Institute of Food Science and Technology
• Health and Care Professions Council
• Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science.
Discover our foundation courses
Discover our undergraduate courses
Discover our postgraduate courses
Discover our research courses
One Health, One Medicine
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences works under a ‘One Health, One Medicine’ vision, which is to create and lead globally connected health research and education, and to share innovation and knowledge, to sustainably improve the wellbeing of humans and animals. The research conducted by our school plays a key role in achieving this.
Our research
Our cutting-edge research aims to advance knowledge across the everchanging discipline of biosciences and explore important questions facing mankind. Our academics’ research activities extend beyond school boundaries, with national and international collaboration.
We were awarded a prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize (formerly Queen’s Anniversary Prize) for Further and Higher Education in 2017-18 in recognition of our research excellence in the field of food and nutrition. To date, the University of Surrey is the only institution to have been awarded the prize in this category.
Areas of research
• Bacteriology
• Cardiovascular sciences
• Clinical medicine
• Chronobiology
• Immunology
• Metabolic medicine, food and macronutrients
• Oncology
• Public health nutrition, dietetics and micronutrients
• Sports, health and exercise sciences
• Statistical multi-omics
• Molecular systems biology
• Virology.
Athena Swan
For our transformation of gender equality within Higher Education (HE) and research, the School of Biosciences received a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award in August 2023. The award reinforces our commitment to high standards of equality, diversity and inclusion within our community.
Rutian
Nutrition and Dietetics BSc (Hons)
“One of the things I truly appreciate about the course here at Surrey is how it continuously evolves to incorporate the latest advancements in the subject and teaches contemporary professional skills, such as how to communicate expert nutritional knowledge on social media platforms.”
Katie
Biosciences and Medicine PhD
“As a member of a research group, there are loads of opportunities to network. Between journal clubs, seminars and conferences, I’m always gaining contacts for future opportunities. Most importantly, there’s a great sense of community at Surrey.”
30 minutes to
40 minutes to Gatwick Airport
35 minutes to London
Direct public transport options are available from Heathrow airport and Gatwick airport.
