Biotechnology
University of Nottingham
UCAS Code: J700 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
University of Nottingham
UCAS Code: J700 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
BBB including Biology, or BBB including 2 of Chemistry, Physics and either Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Alternatively, BBC including Biology or BBC including 2 of Chemistry, Physics and either Mathematics or Further Mathematics plus an A in the EPQ. Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies, Science and Society and Leisure Studies are not accepted.
AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
This qualification is considered alongside 3 A-levels (or equivalent). Level 3 Core Maths qualifications from other awarding bodies are also acceptable: - Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics in Context - OCR Level 3 Certificate in Core Maths A (MEI) - OCR Level 3 Certificate in Core Maths B (MEI)
Access to HE Diploma
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. Either 15 graded Level 3 credits must be achieved at minimum grade Merit from biology units , or 30 graded Level 3 credits achieved at minimum grade Merit from chemistry, physics and mathematics units.
Extended Project
Considered alongside 3 A levels or equivalent including Biology or 2 of Chemistry, Physics and either Mathematics or Further Mathematics
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English and Maths grade C/4.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
including Higher Level 5 in Biology or Higher Level 5 in 2 of Chemistry, Physics and either Mathematics Applications and Interpretations or Mathematics Analysis and Approaches. Alternatively, 555 in 3 Higher Level certificates including Biology or Higher Level 5 in 2 of Chemistry, Physics and either Mathematics Applications and Interpretations or Mathematics Analysis and Approaches.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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)
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)
Applications are considered on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied.
Scottish Advanced Higher
BB including Biology, or BB from 2 of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. This qualification is only accepted in combination with five Scottish Highers at grades BBBBB.
Scottish Higher
This qualification is only accepted in combination with two Scottish Advanced Highers at BB in two science subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
This qualification - or the WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate - is accepted alongside two A levels (either BB including Biology, or BB from 2 of Chemistry, Physics and either Mathematics or Further Mathematics)
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This course enables you to study microbial, animal and plant biotechnology. You'll learn the latest 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:
- developing new life-saving medicines
- feeding growing populations by generating plants with better nutritional value
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing cleaner biofuels
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, you'll gain the knowledge and skills to succeed when you graduate.
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.
Experts in synthetic biology will lecture on the latest applications and technology. You'll join thought-provoking debates covering ethical, commercial and environmental concerns.
Throughout your degree you will 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
- Computer Science year - use algorithms to analyse complex data and apply this to your course
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 final 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.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Sutton Bonington Campus
School of Biosciences
What students say
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
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.
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.
Top job areas of graduates
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.
£27k
£33k
£33k
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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Teaching Excellence Framework (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.
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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?
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