Our Biological Sciences degree with Professional Training Year provides the greatest possible choice and flexibility in the study of all aspects of biology, allowing you to choose modules across virtually the whole range of subjects that the School offers and tailor the degree to your own interests as they develop. You can choose to focus on a particular aspect of biology, such as organisms, ecology and environment, or opt to cover a wider range of topics. A wide choice of subjects is available to study across the biological, biomedical, biochemical, and biomolecular sciences including, but not limited to: animal and plant biology, microbiology, genetics, systems biology, ecology, disease, behaviour, neuroscience, cell biology, development and evolution. You will also have the option of undertaking a field course (depending on module choice and availability), which can be based within the UK or overseas. Your third year is spent on a professional work placement related to your degree. Experience shows that this greatly enhances your subsequent employment prospects. During the course of your studies, you will also have the option of switching to the MBiol integrated Master’s degree (subject to academic progress and space availability). The programme combines scientific understanding with the development of academic skills (critical appraisal, evaluation and analysis of data) along with the development of practical, presentation and written skills within a scientific context. The course ultimately aims to produce graduates who are employable, well-informed, versatile and enthusiastic ambassadors for science. Recent Biological Sciences graduates have gone on to careers in research institutes, environmental consultancies, drug companies, the NHS, teaching, and many non-biological careers such as banking and management. A significant number progress to undertake Master’s or PhD training programmes. **Distinctive features** Our degrees are closely linked to the research interests of the staff who teach them, allowing you to experience the excitement of learning in an active research environment. We attract substantial external research funding and this will allow you to make use of the latest equipment, techniques and facilities in your project work. The School also maintains a permanently staffed Field Station in Borneo, as well as leading the University’s Sustainable Places and Water Research Institutes, allowing access to a wide range of exciting training opportunities. This programme offers a high degree of flexibility with student choice at its core. You have the freedom to decide how your academic experience develops. You can choose to specialise in a particular area or to maintain a wide breadth of learning and explore the interdisciplinary research that underpins much of the School’s success.
A Level: {'start': ['A', 'A', 'B', None], 'end': ['B', 'B', 'B', None]} | Must include Biology or Chemistry. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study. | T Level | Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2. | GCSE/National 4/National 5 You must have or be working towards: - English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements. - GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths. | Extended Project: A | For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be “AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ”. Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme | 34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 5 in HL Biology or Chemistry. | WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales | The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales will be accepted in lieu of one A level at the A level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016): {'start': ['DDD'], 'end': ['DDM']} | in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Forensic Science, with Distinction in all of the Core/Mandatory Units. | Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) | The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.
Fees stated are for the 2026/7 academic year. Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required to complete the stated programme. Optional study trips, placements, or equipment are at your own cost. Tuition fees exclude living costs such as accommodation, subsistence and travel. UK and Islands: The University may increase fees as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. We will notify you of changes by the end of June in the preceding academic year. EU, EEA, and Switzerland: Unless eligible for UK fee status, fees will align with international fees. Check eligibility at: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/fees/full-list-of-categories-for-he-in-wales/ International: Fees are fixed for the programme duration, excluding Medicine and Dentistry programmes. During the pre-clinical element of Medicine and Dentistry programmes the fee rate will be fixed, after which the clinical fee rate is charged. Further details: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/funding-and-fees — UG BLS and PSE (2026/7)
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