Advances in technology have made genetics an exciting discipline to study. Around the United Kingdom (UK), the best genetics programmes welcome thousands of students each year. For incoming undergraduates, the trick is deciding which genetics university suits their needs and goals the best.
When choosing which schools to apply to, students consider everything from tuition fees to job placement and internship opportunities. So, this article covers all of that information, and more. To build our list of best universities for genetics UK, we relied on UK-based EduRank, and these schools' own information pages.
| Rank | 🏫 University | 📜 Degree options | 💰 Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University College London (UCL) | BSc Genetics - 3 years study MSc Genetics - 4 years study | £9 535/year Financial aid available |
| 2 | University of Oxford | MSc Biochemistry (MBiochem) 4 years study | £9 535/year Financial aid available |
| 3 | University of Cambridge | BSc Genetics - 3 years study MSc Genetics - 4 years study | £9 535/year Financial aid available |
| 4 | University of Edinburgh | BSc Genetics BSc Molecular Genetics 4 years study (both) | £9 535/year Financial aid available |
| 5 | University of Manchester | BSc Genetics 3 years study | £9 535/year Financial aid available |
University College London
University College London, otherwise known as UCL, opened its doors in 1826. Its Life Sciences faculty was among the first fully staffed departments.
What UCL Offers
This Faculty is one of the world's leading centres for science and biology of life studies. Four of its subjects rank in the Top Ten globally, according to QS World University Rankings. Its Biological Sciences programme comes in at #6. Its Genetics programme ranks 12th in the world.
You'll study human and evolutionary genetics, molecular genetics and genomics, and discover model organisms.
For extra academic help, consider consulting a biology tutor to strengthen your understanding of the core subjects.
Those courses will ground you in Biological Science. To round out your genetics study, you will choose optional courses, ranging from anthropology to social issues in the life sciences. Along with that, you may:
Accessing UCL's Genetic Studies Programme
You may choose to spend three years at UCL to earn your BSc, or four, to work on your MSc. This is a full-time study programme, no part-time students accepted.
For a September 2025 entry, the deadline to apply for these courses is January 29, 2025. The requirements are the same, regardless of which programme you wish to enrol in.
admission requirements
- Grades: AAA
- GCSE English: B or 6
- GCSE Maths: B or 6
tuition
- £9 535/year
- financial aid available
Extra requirements
- Biology, plus one of:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics, or
- Life and Health Science
The first two years are the same for both degree plans. During Year 2, you may change your study track, from BSc to MSc, for instance.
In their third year, MSc candidates will conduct a Biological Sciences investigative project - research, in other words. BSc students will spend their third year researching project modules. Fourth-year MSc students have the option of studying abroad, at one of UCL's partner universities.
and description
UCL is the best among the top universities for Biology studies in the UK. This school's estimated acceptance rate is 36%. If you wanted to major in another field of biology - microbiology, or plant biology, you should put UCL at the top of your list.
University of Oxford
Renowned as one of the world’s most ancient universities, Oxford is the oldest university in the United Kingdom. It is also the second-oldest university in continuous operation globally, following the University of Bologna in Italy.
Some of today's most impactful people earned their degrees from Oxford, including world leaders, scientists, and a long list of renowned writers, composers, and other artists.
What Oxford Offers
The University of Oxford is one of the world's top elite schools. It maintains a sterling reputation and persistently features at the top of national and global rankings. It ranks #2 in the UK and #13 in the world for Biology studies.
Oxford's Biochemistry degree plan spans four years, during which you'll study all aspects of this discipline.
Oxford University does not offer a specific course in genetics.
Instead, you'll explore the full range of molecular and cellular biology, of which the genome is a part. The course's structure includes:
Admission to Oxford's Biochemistry Programme
You can expect stiff competition for entry into any Oxford degree programme, including Biology. This school's acceptance rate hovers at 22% overall. Furthermore, their welcome page boasts a long list of requirements.
Admission requirements
- Grades: A*AA
- mandatory: Chemistry
- required: another science or maths
Tuition
- £9,535/year
- financial aid available
Extra requirements
- Chemistry: to A-Level
- Mathematics (desired)
- Biology (helpful)
The University of Oxford offers a demanding programme with tremendous rewards. It doesn't offer the frills and extras that other universities do. However, it delivers cachet and prestige. These alone boost your chances at career success.
University of Cambridge
The Cambridge name covers 31 constituent colleges, including Downing, where you'll study genetics.
Cambridge is the world's third-oldest university in continuous operation. This is the school where Stephen Hawking and Paul Dirac studied and, later, worked. In fact, the members of the University of Cambridge boast 125 Nobel laureates.
What Cambridge Offers
Cambridge is the third-ranked university in the UK, and in Europe, according to QS Rankings. In world rankings, Cambridge comes in at #18. For genetics studies, it ranks third in the UK and Europe, and #20 in the world.
For further academic insights, you might consider reaching out to experienced biology tutors to discuss the course options.
Cambridge offers a comprehensive genetics study programme. Oxford offers a genetics course as a part of its broader Biochemistry programme.
Cambridge's Natural Science courses feature a mix of lectures and laboratory work. Like UCL, you may choose between BSc and MSc degree plans, with the latter being one year longer. Besides that, you'll find:
Admission to Cambridge Natural Sciences Programme
The same requirements apply to Cambridge's BSc or MSc programmes. Beware, though, that with a 21% acceptance rate, entry is very competitive.
admission requirements
Grades: A*A*A*
Tuition
- £9 535/year
- financial aid available
Extra requirements
- Mathematics
- 2 sciences
Cambridge places well on all the global lists of best universities for Biology. Enrolling here to study genetics doesn't just deliver prestige. Its reputation will enhance your career opportunities, too.
University of Edinburgh
This public research facility is one of Scotland's four ancient universities. It's also the sixth-oldest university in continuous operation in the English-speaking world.
Students in Scotland could benefit from the guidance of a dedicated biology teacher scotland when navigating the complex world of genetics and life sciences.
Geneticists Sir Paul Nurse, and the American Michael Rosbash, are both Nobel Prize winners. They both studied at the University of Edinburgh. Furthermore, this school is home to the Medical Research Council's Human Genetics Unit (MRC HGU).
What the University of Edinburgh Offers
The University of Edinburgh is #15, according to UK rankings; QS ranks this school #27 in the world. For genetics studies, it ranks fifth in the UK, eighth in Europe, and 48th in the world.
This school offers two undergraduate pathways to genetics study. You may choose between Biological Science Genetics and Molecular Genetics.
Genetics BSc
- targeted genetic studies
- focused on human genetics
- genetic variation across populations
Molecular genetics BSc
- a broad programme
- focused on general genetic aspects
- gene expression across species
Years 1 and 2 study objectives remain the same for both programmes. You'll master research fundamentals, such as data evaluation and analysis, and data science techniques. Both of them are four-year programmes. On top of that, you have:
Accessing the University of Edinburgh Genetics Programmes
Compared to the top 3 universities on our list, the University of Edinburgh has a much higher acceptance rate of 51%. Its entry requirements are a bit more relaxed, too:
Admission requirements
- Grades: AAA
- A-Level Biology and Chemistry
- grade B or higher
Tuition
- £9 535/year
- Financial aid available
Extra requirements
- GCSE Physics or Maths
- Maths: B or 6
- English: C or 4
You should know that this university is also tops for zoology studies in the UK, according to the major ranking sites. It offers undergraduate and graduate zoology programs, as well as research opportunities.
The University of Manchester
This public research facility has been teaching biological sciences almost since its founding. Besides being a centre for Biology studies, this school is one of the largest medical teaching facilities in the UK.
This school counts 26 Nobel Prize recipients, including Sir John Sulston. He discovered "genetic regulation of organ development and programmed cell death".
What the University of Manchester Offers
The University of Manchester offers a three-year BSc Genetics degree. It ranks sixth in the UK, and 19th in Europe; globally, it ranks #81. Overall, the university holds the 34th place in the QS World rankings. At Manchester, you may:
If you need extra assistance with your studies, consider engaging a biology tutor online to support your learning remotely.
Admission to the University of Manchester Genetics BSc Programme
This school does not publish acceptance rates. However, it does specify strict entry requirements:
Admission requirements
- Grades: AAA-AAB
- two core sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics,
- core science grades must be AA
Tuition
- £9 535/year
- financial aid available.
Extra requirements
- GCSE English: 4 or C
- GCSE Maths 4 or C
These are all great universities, and each has a distinctive Biology Studies programme. However, none of them have a good Marine Biology course. If that's where your passion lies, you need a separate list of the best universities for Marine Biology studies.
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