Course summary
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
- microbiologist
- microbiology laboratory technician
- research scientist
- science technician
- medical laboratory assistant
- grant administrator
- medical writer
- biomedical sales specialist
- ecological surveyor
- NHS
- Ministry of Defence
- European Xenopus Resource Centre
- MGS Laboratories
Modules
Year 1 Core modules in this year include:
- Biodiversity & Evolution (20 credits)
- Ecology, Plants and Human Impact (20 credits)
- Experimental Biology (20 credits)
- Graduate Employability Skills (20 credits)
- Introduction to Cell Biology & Biochemistry (20 credits)
- Microbiology & Molecular Biology (20 credits)
- Genetics (20 credits)
- Research Skills (20 credits)
- Animal Adaptations: From Ocean to Land (20 credits)
- Business for Biosciences (20 credits)
- Cell Biology (20 credits)
- Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology (20 credits)
- Development, Stem Cells and Differentiation (20 credits)
- Enzymes and Metabolism (20 credits)
- Gis and Remote Sensing (20 credits)
- Introduction to Teaching (20 credits)
- Marine and Terrestrial Field Ecology (20 credits)
- Marine Organisms and Ecosystems (20 credits)
- Microbiology (20 credits)
- Micropalaeontology, Palaeobotany, and Palaeoenvironments (20 credits)
- Plant Diversity, Development and Evolution (20 credits)
- Research Project (40 credits)
- Climate Change (20 credits)
- Conservation in a Changing World (20 credits)
- Environmental Assessment and Management (20 credits)
- Environmental Pollution and Waste Management (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)
Assessment method
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.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Royal Society of Biology
How to apply
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
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBB - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - Not accepted
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Student Outcomes
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
EU | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £19200 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP