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Studies & Degrees in Physiology

Physiology is the science of how living organisms function. University College Cork (UCC) defines it as the study of how humans and other animals function at all levels: the whole body, the cells it is composed of, and the molecular processes happening inside these cells. The American Physiological Society puts it more simply: physiology is the study of how the human body works, both in health and in illness.

The subject is the scientific base of the health professions. According to UCC, an understanding of normal physiology forms the basis for the practice of human and veterinary medicine and much of dentistry. One of the Nobel Prizes is awarded for discoveries in physiology or medicine. There are also branches that study plants, animals in their environment, cells and the body during exercise.

What students learn

Physiology is usually taught by organ system. The American Physiological Society divides it into 10 organ systems, among them the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, reproductive and skeletal systems, and stresses that each system works with the others. A degree therefore starts with general science and moves from the cell to the whole organism. At UCC, the first year is common to biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics; the second year covers the molecular processes of cells, such as nerve and muscle cells; later years deal with the integrated function of the organ systems. Laboratory work and a research project are a regular part of the degree.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree in physiology. In Ireland, the United Kingdom and North America physiology is a degree of its own. The BSc (Hons) Physiology at UCC lasts 4 years, full-time. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has a B.S. in Physiological Science in its Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology.
  • Physiology inside another degree. In Spain there is normally no separate bachelor's degree: physiology is a subject within other degrees (grados), which have 240 ECTS credits, or 300 or 360 where European rules require it. At the Universidad de Navarra, the Departamento de Ciencias de la Alimentación y Fisiología teaches in the degrees in human nutrition and dietetics, biology, biochemistry, pharmacy, nursing, chemistry and medicine.
  • Master's degree. UCLA offers an M.S. in Physiological Science.
  • Doctorate. Research careers require a PhD. Stanford University trains PhD students in its Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and the Universidad de Navarra has a doctoral programme called Alimentación, Fisiología y Salud.

Where to study physiology

SpainExchange lists 58 active schools for physiology. The United States has 25, the United Kingdom 9 and Spain 7. India, Ireland, Australia and Canada have 2 each, and Nigeria, Nepal, Ethiopia, Ghana and Mexico are among the countries with one.

In the United States, the list includes Stanford University, UCLA, the University of California San Diego, the University of Washington and The Rockefeller University in New York, which is a biomedical research university. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, examples are the University of Bristol, The University of Sheffield, the University of Sunderland and University College Cork. The Spanish schools on the list include the Universidad de Navarra and the Universidad de Alcalá. Other examples are the University of British Columbia in Canada, the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, Kathmandu University in Nepal and the University of Ghana.

The language of instruction follows the country: English in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and mainly Spanish in Spain. Check the language of each programme with the school.

Careers

A physiology degree leads to three broad areas.

  • Research. UCC notes that its graduates are well placed to enter biomedical research and that demand from the pharmaceutical industry is increasing. In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that medical scientists typically have a PhD, and it projects their employment to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035.
  • Health care. In the NHS in the United Kingdom, healthcare science staff in the physiological sciences evaluate the functioning of body systems and diagnose abnormalities, in roles such as cardiac sciences, neurophysiology, and respiratory physiology and sleep sciences. Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programmes; the BLS counted about 21,200 of them in 2025 and projects growth of 13 percent from 2025 to 2035.
  • Further study and teaching. UCC describes physiology as an ideal entry qualification for its Graduate Entry Medicine course and as a strong degree for future teachers, who need a further diploma in education.

Frequently asked questions

Is a physiology degree the same as a medical degree?

No. Physiology is a science degree and does not qualify graduates to practise medicine. It is a common basis for graduate-entry medicine, where that route exists, and for biomedical research.

Can I study a bachelor's degree in physiology in Spain?

Physiology is normally studied in Spain as part of another degree, such as medicine, biology, pharmacy or nursing, and as a specialisation at master's and doctoral level. Check the offer of each university.

How long does a physiology degree take?

The BSc (Hons) Physiology at University College Cork takes 4 years. A Spanish grado that includes physiology has 240 ECTS credits, or more in fields such as medicine.

What jobs are there for physiologists?

Research in universities and the pharmaceutical industry, clinical physiology roles in hospitals, exercise physiology, teaching and pharmaceutical sales. Many research posts require a PhD.