Entry requirements
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents* Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents* * GCSE English and mathematics equivalent • equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
UCAS Tariff
From A levels (including at least 32 points in Biology) or equivalent BTEC national qualifications in Applied Science to include suitable Biology modules. We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types. For example: BBC at A Level including grade C in Biology. DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science will be considered (please include units on application). BTEC Diploma in Applied Science D*D with relevant biology modules ( please include units on application) alongside other level 3 study. A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s), which may include AS levels or EPQ.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**Course summary**
- Gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of biological, chemical and mathematical skills suitable to investigate and describe the biological world.
- Develop the confidence and ability to solve biological problems.
- Conduct research in a range of theoretical and practical areas, including the skills of project management.
- Choose to transfer onto the MSci qualification.
- Have the opportunity to work abroad — with the possibility of Erasmus funding available for European placements.
- Take part in rigorous intellectual training that cultivates an interest in current developments at the frontiers of the subject. Gain an underpinning knowledge of chemistry, physics and maths, taught in context. Enhance your skills for a career in biology or any occupation requiring confident, creative, analytical thinkers.
If you're planning a career in research, you can transfer to the MSci qualification (depending on your results in years one and two of the BSc route).
**How You Learn**
The course includes a coherent programme theme to enable you to develop as professional biologists, operating beyond just knowledge acquisition. You have the capability to act on opportunities and apply learning to solve problems, whether theoretical or applied.
You learn through
- lectures
- workshops
- tutorials
- scenario-based laboratory sessions.
- There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus programme (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus programme following the Brexit transition period).
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You can take an optional placement in year three.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Cellular Biology And Biochemistry With Microbiology 20
Exam
Environmental Biosciences 20
Human Physiology And Anatomy 20
Plant Physiology And Anatomy 20
Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Labs 20
Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Skills 20
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Applied Ecology And Environmental Biosciences 20
Evolutionary And Behavioural Biology 20
Molecular Biology And Biochemistry 20
Professional And Scientific Practice 2 40
Elective modules
Advanced Cell Biology 20
Pathological Basis Of Disease 20
Exam
Topics In Biochemistry 20
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Professional And Scientific Practice 3
Final year
Compulsory modules
Plant Biotechnology 20
Research Project 40
Elective modules
Applied Biochemistry 20
Bioethics And Bioinformatics 20
Bioethics And Human Genetics 20
Bioinformatics And Human Genetics 20
Environmental Biotechnology 20
Neurobiology 20
Assessment methods
Coursework
Exams
Practical
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.
The Uni
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biology (non-specific)
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Biology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
The recession was tough on biology graduates, and although the jobs market has improved for them - a lot - it's still not back to where it was a few years ago. If you want a career in biology research — and a lot of biology students do - you'll need to take a doctorate, so give some thought as to where you might do it and how you might fund it (the government still funds doctorates for good students). A lot of graduates also take 1 year Masters courses to specialise in this wide and deep subject - most students take a standard biology course for their first degree and then specialise in subjects like ecology, conservation or marine biology later. Hospitals, universities, biotech firms, zoos and nature reserves and clinical and scientific testing are common industries of employment for biology graduates.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Biosciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£22k
£26k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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