Aston University, Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Course summary Biological science asks deeper questions about the human body and challenges facing humankind such as:; Why are some people more prone to certain diseases and medical conditions than others? How can we ensure that people remain healthier as they get older? Why do bacteria evolve to defend themselves against antibiotics and what can we do about it in the future? In its attempt to answer these questions, biology encompasses many areas of scientific study such as living organisms, life cycles, adaptations, and the environment. Biological science also incorporates a wealth of exciting and diverse topics from biochemistry and biotechnology to genetics, microbiology and physiology. Biological Sciences at Aston offers you an incredible mix of top-quality teaching, world class research and the opportunity to gain real world experience with our optional placement year. For those who achieve the required grades in the second year, you will be given the option to enhance your learning by transferring onto our integrated masters MBiol programme; giving you the platform to be a research and development leader and innovator of the future. Professional accreditation Our BSc Biological Sciences course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). RSB accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, preparing graduates to address the needs of employers. The criteria set by the RSB requires evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills. Students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the MBiol Biological Sciences integrated masters programme which holds Advanced Degree Accreditation by the RSB*. This advanced accreditation recognises academic excellence in biosciences and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future. The criteria require evidence that graduates from the course meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining a substantial period of research experience. Placement year The best way to prepare you for your future career is to gain experience in the real world of work. That's why our course offers you the option to complete an integrated placement year, taken between the second and final years of your degree. Designed to make you stand out in the graduate crowd, you can undertake placements in hospital, industrial or research laboratories, as well as non-laboratory settings. *Please note we do not offer a Foundation Programme, if you select year 0 on your application form this will be amended to year 1 at admissions review stage. *
Modules
Year 1 Study a range of key bioscience topics where you will gain knowledge of the structure, function, synthesis and degradation of biomolecules, how genetic material is stored and inherited, and how to work safely in a laboratory setting. Core modules: Biomolecules, Cells to Systems, Microbiology and Genetics, and Metabolic Physiology for Biology. Year 2 Build your knowledge gained in your first year, as well as discovering exciting new topics all while developing the skills to apply fundamental biological concepts to experimental and real-world problems. Core modules: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Mechanisms of Pathology, Human Disease, and Cell Signalling and Physiology. Placement Year (Optional) Opportunity to gain valuable career boosting experience by setting your studies in a real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals. This course is available as BSc Biological Science (3 year without placement) or BSc Biological Science (4 year with placement year) and both options are available to home, EU, and international students. After year 2, students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the integrated masters MBiol programme. Please note you can choose to take the placement year as MBiol Biological Science is available as 4 year without placement or 5 year with placement year. Final Year (BSc) Develop the skills required to complete a substantial original research project and choose from a selection of advanced subjects those that most suit your future career aspirations. Core modules include Research Project Preparation, Research Project and Professional Development for Biological Scientists. In addition, you will complete a series of specialist optional modules. Final Year MBiol (Optional) Students who achieve a minimum of 65% in their second year will be given the option to transfer onto the integrated masters MBiol programme. Please note you can choose to take the placement year as MBiol Biological Sciences is available as 4 year without placement or 5 year with placement year. In the final year for MBiol Biological Sciences students will complete a substantial six-month research project, where you will get the opportunity to work alongside postgraduates and post-doctoral fellows in addition to studying advanced masters level modules
Assessment method
You will be continuously assessed throughout the course with a wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes, such as:; exams, essay writing, practical and laboratory reports, presentations and peer assessment.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Royal Society of Biology
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D*D* - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits P: 0 credits
Scottish Higher - BBBBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 31 points
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - Not accepted
Admissions Review Process All candidates are considered on an individual basis and the whole application is reviewed which includes previous and predicted qualifications, any experience, references and motivation. Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with lower predicted grades if the application is of a high standard which includes a strong personal statement and academic reference. However, any offer made will not be lower than stated below. Find out more about our admissions policy. Applicant Visit Days Once you have received an offer, you will be invited to an Applicant Visit Day to discover more about the course and Aston University.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/biological-sciences-bsc/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £20700 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
The placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students.
For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.
For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies
**The latest information relating to EU students and tuition fees for 2024 can be found on the UCAS website at: https://www.ucas.com/finance/finance-international-and-eu-students.
***The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be eligible for home fee status.
^^Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law.
Provider information
Aston University, Birmingham
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET