BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences with Professional Training Year(C101)

Our research-led Biological Sciences degree provides the greatest possible choice and flexibility, allowing you to choose modules across virtually the whole range of subjects on offer at the School. We offer a wide choice of subjects across the biological sciences including: animal and plant biology; microbiology; genetics; systems biology; ecology; disease; behaviour; neuroscience; zoology; developmental and stem cell biology; and evolution. As part of our Ecology and Conservation module, we also run a range of subsidised field courses both within the UK and overseas, including River Ecology in Wales, Tropical Marine Ecology in Tobago, and Rainforest Biodiversity in Malaysia. As part of this course you will spend your third year on placement at a field centre, zoological or botanical institute, museum, industrial research laboratory, or other approved establishment of your choice. This offers a great opportunity to gain first-hand professional research experience, and it has been shown to greatly enhance your degree and subsequent employment prospects. Many placements are in the UK, but in recent years we have had an increasing number of students taking up placements in international locations, including Southeast Asia, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Australia, Madagascar, and the USA.

Career prospects - A significant proportion of our BSc Biological Sciences graduates go on to study PhD or master’s degrees. Many others enjoy successful careers in science-related fields such as research and development, conservation, environmental management, scientific research, medical or scientific publishing, agro-industry and wildlife management, amongst many others. Our graduates also have many transferable skills that are attractive to a wide range of employers in more general areas of industry, commerce, public service, administration and management. Finally, a degree in the Biological Sciences can act as a stepping stone to further training in professional areas including teaching, medicine, dentistry, nursing, veterinary science, and accounting. In 201617, 93% of the School’s graduates who were available for work reported that they were in employment andor further study within six months of graduating. Experience has shown that students who have completed a Professional Training Year are particularly well-placed to obtain degree-related employment at the end of their studies.

4-year course (Sandwich year)