2.5-Term Pathway - International Year One in Life Sciences - Continue to Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Human Biology (Placement Year)

For students that completed high school with good grades but don’t qualify for entry to an undergraduate degree, they could study an International Year One, which combines university preparation with degree 1st year. After completing this pathway option students qualify for progression to the 2nd year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Essex.

Students’ course length is determined mainly by their English language level (UKVI IELTS score). Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. If the course is longer than 2 terms, they’ll take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Human Biology (Including Placement Year)

Understand the structure and function of the human body, from the cells and molecules that perform the chemical reactions for life, to the mechanisms of disease and how our immune system fights infection. This BSc Human Biology builds on the foundations of biology to explore the complexity of the human body using cutting-edge technology. Students learn how recent advances in understanding our genetic make-up and cellular function is leading to exciting new developments in treating and preventing human disease.

This course provides students with a cellular and disease-focused understanding of human biology, covering topics including:

• Anatomy and physiology • Cell biology • Genetics • Immunology • Microbiology

A major research area at Essex is centered on the relationships between protein structure and mechanisms of disease. This sheds light on the complex cellular pathways involved in cancer and brain cell damage. Another research area uses computational approaches to study the role of epigenetics and DNA structure in human disease. In the final year, students carry out an individual research project. Popular topics have ranged from mutagenesis of proteins linked to human diseases such as blindness and cancer and mechanisms of cell death and antibiotic resistance.