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Biotechnology

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,B

To include 2 science-based subjects usually from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Computer Science, Geography and Psychology can be accepted as the second science-based subject if you are also studying Biology. Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies, Science and Society and Leisure Studies are not accepted.

Access to HE Diploma

D:21,M:18,P:6

This qualification will be considered where appropriate science content is being studied. The requirement is 60 credits overall with 45 graded credits at Level 3. 21 credits must be achieved at Distinction; 18 credits at Merit and 6 at Pass. 30 graded level 3 credits must be achieved at minimum Merit from acceptable science units.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

M2,M2,M2

To include two science-based subjects usually from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Computer Science, Geography and Psychology can be accepted as the second science-based subject if you are also studying Biology.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English and Maths grade C/4.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

30

To include Higher Level grade 5 in two science-based subjects usually from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Computer Science, Geography and Psychology can be accepted as the second science-based subject if you are also studying Biology.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DM

This qualification will be considered alongside A Level grade B. Applications are considered on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. The required A Levels for mixed BTEC and A Level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D

This qualification will be considered alongside A Level grades B,C. Applications are considered on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. The required A Levels for mixed BTEC and A Level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDM

Applications are considered on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied.

Scottish Advanced Higher

B,B

To include two science-based subjects usually from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Computer Science, Geography and Psychology can be accepted as the second science-based subject if you are also studying Biology. This qualification is only accepted in combination with five Scottish Highers at grades BBBBB.

Scottish Higher

B,B,B,B,B

This qualification is only accepted in combination with two Scottish Advanced Highers at BB in two science-based subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

B

This qualification is accepted alongside two science-based subjects at A level usually from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Computer Science, Geography and Psychology can be accepted as the second science-based subject if you are also studying Biology.

UCAS Tariff

96-135

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Biotechnology

This integrated masters course advances your skills in research. You'll study how to write research proposals and how to communicate your research to a wider audience. You'll develop your project management skills and your grasp of analytical techniques. All of these are essential if you decide you'd like a biotech research career.

Experts in synthetic biology will lecture on the latest applications and technology. You'll join thought-provoking debates covering ethical, commercial and environmental concerns. You'll learn the latest biotechnology techniques and how these can be used to help improve lives. You might be interested in how you can apply science to global issues such as:

- healthcare, by developing life-saving medicines

- reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing cleaner biofuels

- food security

You will learn in specialist laboratories, using our facilities to build your practical knowledge. Our lab sessions will give you experience in DNA sequencing and genetic engineering.

Throughout your degree you have the opportunity to choose from a range of additional options. You can apply to do these when you get here:

- Industry placement - you can add a year in industry between years two and three

- Study abroad - options include our Malaysia campus, Australia, Canada, or Europe

Modules

You'll build your knowledge in biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, microbial physiology and animal biology. 

In the second year, core modules focus on molecular biology, genetic engineering and epigenetics. You can then choose from optional modules to specialise in the areas that interest you.

The third year research project enables you to use your skills to work on a piece of original research. Supervised by our academic researchers, you will design the study, use techniques, collect data and prepare a report. You could carry out a project with a research institute or industrial partner. Some previous research projects were granted patents and developed into commercial products.

This additional fourth year enables you to graduate with an integrated masters level qualification. You'll carry out an independent piece of research and have modules to support this. You'll develop further skills in the co-ordination and communication of research projects.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£25,000
per year
International
£25,000
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Sutton Bonington Campus

Department:

School of Biosciences

Read full university profile

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.

76%
Biotechnology

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.

Biotechnology

Teaching and learning

48%
Staff make the subject interesting
82%
Staff are good at explaining things
79%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
64%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

69%
Library resources
84%
IT resources
82%
Course specific equipment and facilities
41%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

79%
UK students
21%
International students
78%
Male students
22%
Female students
87%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
A

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.

Biotechnology

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.

£26,000
med
Average annual salary
100%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

13%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
11%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals
9%
Business, research and administrative professionals

This is a new and emerging field of technology and not many people completed degrees in biotechnology last year — it’s more common as a Masters degree. Further study is common for graduates as research jobs usually require a postgraduate qualification. Those who do go straight into work typically go into a range of biology and lab jobs in several different industries, but a good grade can be particularly important for this qualification, so bear that in mind.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Biotechnology

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£21k

£21k

£37k

£37k

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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This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here