28Feb
UndergraduateCourse summary
Studying living organisms in all their variety is truly fascinating, and helps us to identify critical threats and major opportunities, from the smallest scale to the largest. Our Biology programme is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in the study of life and ecosystems. Alongside this, we will equip you with the scientific expertise and transferable skills needed to make meaningful contributions towards solving current environmental and societal challenges. The breadth of the curriculum will allow you to develop your knowledge in relation to the biological principles that govern life on our planet, while building a clear understanding of species, habitats, and ecological processes. Through a blend of fieldwork, lab research and theoretical study, you will develop the skills to investigate life, from a molecular scale right through to studying whole ecosystems, becoming an effective communicator and collaborative leader, that is ready to tackle global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental crises. Our degree uses ethical, sustainable and innovative approaches to fully prepare you for a range of meaningful careers in biology, ecology, conservation, and environmental management. Biology at Swansea University has a strong reputation, and draws students from all over the world. You will be based on our Singleton Park Campus, set in beautiful parkland overlooking Swansea Bay. You will be joining a high-performing department, which is currently ranked: • 11th in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2026) • 14th in the UK for Research – assessed under ‘Biological Sciences’ (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
Modules
Year 1: Areas studied typically include: animal diversity; form and function; cellular and microbial biology; marine and terrestrial ecology and animal behaviour; molecular and evolutionary biology; plants and algae – diversity, form and function and core skills for bioscientists. Year 2: Areas studied typically include: animal physiology; cell and immunobiology; coastal marine ecology; ecological microbiology and the cycles of life; ichthyology; molecular ecology; parasitology; plant ecology; terrestrial vertebrates; field ecology (residential) and animal conservation and welfare. Year 3: Areas studied typically include: biodiversity; biological control of invertebrate pests; epidemiology of infectious diseases; physics for biologists; plant conservation and ecology; sensory ecology; laboratory or field professional skills, phylogeny and macroevolution, hormones and behaviour, international field courses.
Assessment method
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and discussion groups supported by practical classes and field courses. You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including examinations, coursework and a practical research project.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Royal Society of Biology
How to apply
29Jan
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
- Course code:
- C104
- Institution code:
- S93
- Campus name:
- Singleton Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If you are an International Student, please visit our International pages for more information about entry requirements: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/requirements/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - ABB - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.
English Language Requirements at Swansea University
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/
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
No fee information has been provided for this course
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
For the latest fee information, please check the individual course page on our website. Our full range of programmes are listed here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
Course contact details
Visit our course page Ask us a question - undergraduate enquiries.