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Biology courses

Learn how plants, animals and humans work by taking an online biology course.

Help me choose a course

Introduction to Biology

Begin your path towards a career in biology, health or other science-related industries.

The online biology courses available through us explore the building blocks of life on earth—from genetics, cell structures and molecular biology through to marine science and human evolution.

Start by comparing what’s available with leading universities below. You can study a one-off subject in an area of biology that interests you, or major in biology as part of a full science qualification.

Whatever you choose, we can provide advice on entry requirements, flexible study options and course fees.

Explore biology courses
Open Universities Australia student Peter, standing in a laboratory.
Peter studied science with RMIT University through Open Universities Australia

Discover biology courses

Online biology subjects and short courses

University of Tasmania
Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 24 Feb 2025, 03 Nov 2025
Curtin University

Human Structure and Function

UndergraduateCUR-HUMB1000

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 03 Mar 2025, 01 Sep 2025
La Trobe University

Introduction to Human Physiology

UndergraduateLTU-HBS101

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 03 Mar 2025, 02 Jun 2025, 01 Sep 2025, 01 Dec 2025
University of South Australia

Foundations of Human Biology 1

UndergraduateUSA-BIOL1052

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 07 Apr 2025, 22 Sep 2025
View all subjects

Online biology degrees

University of Tasmania

Diploma of Applied Science

UndergraduateTAS-ASC-DIP

Unlock specialised skills for a career in science

Study method
100% online
Duration
1 year full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Macquarie University

Bachelor of Science

UndergraduateMAQ-BSC-DEG

Learn from international leaders in science

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Southern Cross University

Diploma of Science

UndergraduateSCU-SCI-DIP

A pathway to the lab or further science studies

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
1 year full time or part time equivalent
Edith Cowan University

Master of Bioinformatics

PostgraduateECU-BIO-MAS

Harness bioinformatics in a real-life industry project

Study method
Online & on-campus
Duration
2 years full time or part time equivalent
View all bachelor degrees

Discover 90 ways to study biology with leading Australian universities.

Explore biology courses

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Biology study FAQs

What is the study of biology?

The study of biology is the study of living organisms, and includes a wide range of specialised disciplines across four main areas: human biology, microbiology, zoology and botany.

Biology explores the building blocks of life, unpacking how living organisms develop, evolve and function. Biology is a discipline of science, and is important to understanding other scientific disciplines as well.

What do you learn in a biology course?

You’ll learn how living organisms work—including their evolution, functions and roles in the broader environments they’re part of.

Depending on your course, you’ll focus on a specific area of the discipline, for example human biology, microbiology or marine science amongst many others. Or you can gain generalist knowledge by studying across specialties.

How long is a biology course?

It depends on the course and whether you choose something short or long-term. Here’s a general guide: 

CourseDuration
Single subject10-18 weeks
Short course10-18 weeks
Undergraduate certificate6 months (if full time)
Diploma1 year (if full time) 
Associate degree2 years (if full time) 
Bachelor degree3 years (if full time)
Graduate certificate6 months (if full time)
Graduate diploma1 year (if full time)
Masters degree2 years (if full time)

If you study a degree in biology through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.   

Why should I study biology?

You should study biology if you’re looking to build a career in science. Biology knowledge is necessary for roles in many scientific industries, such as health, environmental science and forensic science.

Upskilling in biology can also help you become more proficient in other scientific disciplines that you may already be qualified in. For example, an understanding of biology is relevant to studies of chemistry.

Browse the online biology courses available through us for more information on the career outcomes you can access from specific qualifications.

Why should I study biology online?

You should study biology online if you are looking for a flexible and accessible way to gain your qualification. Studying online will also give you access to a wide range of biology subjects from different universities, which you can undertake individually without having to commit to a degree.

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

  • You can enrol without entry requirements 
    We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
  • You have total control over how you study
    Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
  • You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
    Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
  • We’ll help you navigate the university world
    Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
What jobs can you get with a biology degree?

With a biology degree, you could be a: 

A biology degree can provide the prerequisite you need for further specialisied study in an area like medicine or pharmacology. It could also put you on the path towards a PhD. 

If you’re looking to transition your career into a different area of biology, or seeking to change your direction completing, studying a biology course online is a great way to get started and help you identify your next steps.

How do I know which course is right for me?

Enrol in a single subject to get a taste of the content for any qualification you’re interested in. The subjects available through us are covered by HELP funding, which means eligible students aren’t obligated to pay for their studies upfront.

Or book a free phone consultation with a student advisor to discuss your available study options. We’ll help you find the course that suits you best.

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

How do I enrol?

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Student stories and study advice

8 exciting new degrees you can study online in 2025

Hundreds of new degrees have just been added to our website by leading universities. While it’s impossible to choose a favourite, these are the highlights we recommend checking out. Some of these topics have never been available through OUA—until now!

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We’re here to guide you to the right uni course

A student leaping from one side of a platform to another, with a blue sky in the background.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation helping every Australian to access thousands of university courses.

Over 523,000 students have enrolled in university through us since 1993.

How we can help you

Studying through Open Universities Australia means we take care of the guesswork and administration of university study, so you can focus on learning.

You don't need a strong academic history to go to uni

We make it possible for everyone to start university through single subjects, regardless of ATAR or study experience. These subjects are covered by government loans, and can be used to upskill or gain entry into a qualification.

You have the flexibility to start at multiple points during the year

We’re not restricted by a traditional academic calendar, so you can enrol when it suits your life. You also have total control over how you study. You can scale up (or down) your study load and even pause your course if you need to.

You can rely on us as an unbiased destination for online tertiary education

As a not for profit, we have your best interests at heart. Our advisors are here 7 days a week to guide and support you. It’s our priority to get you qualified with the university of your choice.

Enrol in courses from 25 of Australia's leading universities

Edith Cowan University logoJames Cook University Australia logo
RMIT University logoUniversity of Southern Queensland logo
University of the Sunshine Coast logoTorrens University Australia logo
Charles Sturt University logoSwinburne University logo
Curtin University logoUniversity of Tasmania logo
Southern Cross University logoAustralian National University logo
La Trobe University logoThe University of Queensland logo
Flinders University logoAustralian Catholic University logo
University of Adelaide logoThe University of Newcastle logo
The University of Notre Dame Australia logoBond University logo
University of South Australia logoMacquarie University logo
University of New England logoMurdoch University logo
Griffith University logo

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