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Biology

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,B-B,B,C

112-120 points to include 3 A levels, with Biology at grade B. For A levels which include a separate science practical component, a pass is desirable and may strengthen an application.

112-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma (Science).

Cambridge Pre-U score of 48-50, to include a Principal Subject in Biology at M2.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include English, Mathematics and Science/5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above to include English, Mathematics and Science.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

25

25 points from the IB Diploma, to include 3 Higher Level subjects, with 6 points from a Higher Level in Biology. 4 points from Standard Level English and Mathematics (if not passed at GCSE grade C or above).

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H3,H3,H3,H3,H4-H3,H3,H3,H3,H3


To include Higher Level Biology at H3.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

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

DDM-DMM

Must be in a Science subject.

112-120 Tariff points, to include Biology at grade C.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

UCAS Tariff

112-120

112-120 points to include 3 A levels, or equivalent, with 40 points from A level Biology. For A levels which include a separate science practical component, a pass is desirable and may strengthen an application.

112-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 2 A levels with 40 points from A level Biology, plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Biology

**This is a Connected Degree**

Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

**Overview**

Discover how biology helps safeguard endangered species and fight disease on this BSc (Hons) Biology degree, accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB).

You'll get the skills you need to turn your curiosity and love of nature into a career that matters.

- Put your knowledge to work in our molecular biology labs, using world-class equipment such as our ancient DNA and gene analysis facilities, fluorescence microscopes and research greenhouse

- Get involved with the European Xenopus Resource Centre, one of the largest frog resource facilities in the world

- Explore the diversity of local ecosystems and go on field trips to destinations such as Dorset, Devon and Mexico

- Have the chance to gain valuable work experience on a one-year placement or to spend a year studying abroad to experience a different culture and enhance your CV

- Be eligible to apply for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Biology when you graduate, which includes access to exclusive grants and awards

**Accredited by:**
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

**Careers and opportunities**
As the scientific study of life and living organisms, biology covers a huge variety of sub-disciplines – from ecology to genetics, botany to zoology – and everything in between.

On this BSc (Hons) Biology degree, you’ll start the course with key biological theories, before being able to shape it to your interests and choose from specialist areas like animal science, enzymes, hydrology and environmental microbiology.

You'll develop problem-solving, communication and numeracy skills alongside technical skills, and in your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to investigate a research question for your honours project.

Once you graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and practical skills needed to work in areas including research, biotech, consultancy, teaching and journalism. You could also continue your studies to postgraduate level, such as on our MSc Applied Aquatic Biology.

**Graduate roles**
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- microbiologist

- microbiology laboratory technician

- research scientist

- science technician

- medical laboratory assistant

- grant administrator

- medical writer

- biomedical sales specialist

- ecological surveyor

**Graduate destinations**
They've gone on to work for organisations such as:
- NHS

- Ministry of Defence

- European Xenopus Resource Centre

- MGS Laboratories

**Placement year**
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.

You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, or you could go independent by setting up and running your own business.

Previous students have completed work placements at organisations including Pfizer and Thermo-Fisher Scientific.

Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search and support you throughout your placement year.

**Study abroad**
You'll also have the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad on a conservation or research scheme to experience a different culture and enhance your CV.

Modules

Year 1
Core modules in this year include:

Biodiversity and Evolution - 20 credits
Ecology Plants and Human Impact - 20 credits
Experimental Biology - 20 credits
Graduate Employability skills - 20 credits
Introduction to Cell Biology and Biochemistry - 20 credits
Microbiology and Molecular Biology - 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 2
Core modules in this year include:

Genetics - 20 credits
Research Skills - 20 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

Animal Adaptations - 20 credits
Business for Biosciences - 20 credits
Cell Biology - 20 credits
Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology - 20 credits
Development How Form and Function Changes - 20 credits
Ecology Skills and Field Course - 20 credits
Enzymes and Metabolism - 20 credits
Introduction to Teaching - 20 credits
Marine Organisms and Ecosystems - 20 credits
Microbiology - 20 credits
Modern Foreign Language (Institute-Wide Language Programme) - 20 credits
Plant Diversity Development and Evolution - 20 credits

Placement year (optional):

This is an optional sandwich (placement) year.

Biology Sandwich Year Work Placement - 120 credits
Biology Sandwich Year Study Abroad - 120 credits

Year 3
Core modules in this year include:

Honours Project Science - 40 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

Climate Change - 20 credits
Evolution Ecology and Environment - 20 credits
Gene Organisation and Expression - 20 credits
Genomics in Molecular Medicine - 20 credits
Marine Ecology and Conservation - 20 credits
Mechanisms of Development - 20 credits
Microbiomes - 20 credits
Surveying Terrestrial Habitats - 20 credits

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment methods

You’ll be assessed through written exams, coursework, essays and practical write-ups, presentations, multiple choice tests, a research project.
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

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
£9,250
per year
International
£19,200
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University of Portsmouth

Department:

Faculty of Science and Health

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.

82%
Biology

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

82%
Staff make the subject interesting
91%
Staff are good at explaining things
78%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
73%
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

76%
Library resources
91%
IT resources
76%
Course specific equipment and facilities
68%
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?

86%
UK students
14%
International students
45%
Male students
55%
Female students
85%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
D

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 (non-specific)

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.

£18,096
med
Average annual salary
98%
high
Employed or in further education
51%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

19%
Science, engineering and production technicians
10%
Other elementary services occupations
8%
Public services and other associate professionals

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.

Biology (non-specific)

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

£19k

£24k

£24k

£27k

£27k

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.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Nottingham | Nottingham
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Lower entry requirements
University of Huddersfield | Huddersfield
Pharmacology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-112
Nearby University
University of Brighton | Brighton and Hove
Biological Sciences
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-120
Same University
University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth
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BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 120-128

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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 the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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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

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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