Biological Science with Deferred Choice of Specialisation, BSc (Hons)

Overview

A deep academic understanding of life on Earth is now more important than ever. Studying living organisms in all their fascinating variety helps us to identify critical threats and major opportunities, from the smallest scale to the largest. This three-year biology degree gives you the flexibility to explore natural life wherever your interests lie.

Key Course Details

• UK/EU Fees: £9,535 (2026)
• International Fees: £23,100 (2026)
• Mode of Study: Full-time, Campus-based
• UCAS Code: C100 (3-year), C105 (4-year with a year abroad)
• Typical Offer: ABB-BBB, including Biology or Human Biology at A-level

Course Structure

The course is divided into three years, with the option to spend a year abroad in the fourth year.

• Year 1: Introduction to biological sciences, including modules on ecology, evolution, and genetics.
• Year 2:
  • Compulsory modules: Introduction to field ecology, ecological data analysis, plant ecology, and ecological microbiology.
  • Optional modules:
    • Year 2 Biological Sciences Literature Review
    • Parasitology
    • Animal Conservation and Welfare
    • Molecular Ecology
    • Animal Physiology
    • Tetrapod Evolution
    • Entomology
    • Population and Community Ecology
• Year 3 (or 4 for students taking the year abroad option):
  • Compulsory module: Biosciences Research Project
  • Optional modules:
    • Professional skills in conservation
    • Professional Laboratory Skills
    • Interdisciplinary Field Course to the Indian Himalayas (Sikkim)
    • Tropical marine ecology field course
    • Tropical Ecology and Conservation - Borneo Field Trip
    • Plant Conservation and Ecology
    • Macroevolution and Phylogenies
    • Epidemiology of zoonotic diseases
    • Natural Products Biotechnology
    • Mammalian Carnivore Ecology and Conservation
    • Tropical marine ecology and conservation
    • Advanced Data Analysis
    • Movement ecology
    • Ecology of Marine Megafauna
    • Climate Change Biology
    • Sensory Ecology
    • Hormones and Behaviour
    • Science Communication

Entry Requirements

• A-level: ABB-BBB, including Biology or Human Biology
• BTEC: DDD in Applied Science, Countryside Management, Environmental Sustainability, or related fields
• UK Access: 24 Distinctions and 15 Merits in Biomedical/Forensic/Applied/Bio/Natural/Biophysical Sciences
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5 at Higher Level or 6 at Standard Level Biology
• T Levels: Not applicable
• Mixed Qualifications: 120 UCAS tariff points, including 40 points in a relevant subject

How You're Taught

At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider university community.

Welsh Provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this course through the medium of Welsh, but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year.

Professional Body Accreditation

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers.

Meet Your Lecturers

You will be taught by world-class lecturers who are all active researchers. Their research activities in areas such as environmental conservation, sustainable aquaculture, biocontrol, and species monitoring help to change the world for the better.

Tuition Fees

• UK/EU (2026): £9,535
• International (2026): £23,100

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Additional Costs

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. You may face additional costs while at university, including:

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery, and equipment costs
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies
• Lab coat and dissection kit (approximately £30)
• Tropical Marine Biology field course in Puerto Rico (approximately £1,200-£1,700)
• Sikkim overseas field trip (Biology and Zoology Level 3 - optional, student contributes £500 towards travel and accommodation)

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey, helping you build a bright future. Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers' talks, bespoke events, and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements, and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Advice and guidance on postgraduate study and funding
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events

Academic Support

As well as subject-specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops, and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory, and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language)

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages. Enrolment on a programme with a semester/year abroad does not guarantee you a semester/year abroad placement. Spaces are limited and subject to a competitive selection process. In the event you do not secure a semester/year abroad placement, you will be transferred to the standard variant of your degree scheme without a semester or year abroad.

How to Apply

Apply now – UK, EU, and international students. For further guidance, please visit our how to apply pages.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

Teaching:

• Biological Sciences at Swansea University has a strong reputation and attracts students from across the world and is based on the stunning Singleton Park campus overlooking Swansea Bay.
• Your learning will be shaped by inspirational and internationally-renowned academics, including Professor Rory Wilson – Chief Scientific Consultant behind National Geographic's Great Migrations, and Dr. Richard Unsworth – advisor on the globally acclaimed BBC series Blue Planet II.

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Careers:

• Graduates have become Ecologists, Project Officers, Hydrometry and Telemetry Officers, Benthic Taxonomists, Wildlife and Education Officers, Animal Keepers, and Crop Technicians.
• The department has strong connections with international and national organizations, adding value to students' studies.

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3 Year Full Time Start Date UK International Tuition Fees 3 Year Full Time Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 19,950 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 20,950 4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad Start Date UK International September 2023 £ 9,000 £ 19,950 September 2024 £ 9,000 £ 20,950 Fees for full time Undergraduate UK students may be increased in subsequent years of study by an inflationary amount determined by Welsh Government. Fees for full time Undergraduate EU/International students will increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study. During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, year abroad or placement year) a lower fee will apply. For more information visit our tuition fees page. You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page. You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page. Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1920 as University College of Swansea
• Received its Royal Charter in 1948, becoming Swansea University
• Consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the UK
• Home to over 20,000 students from over 140 countries
• Notable achievements include:
  • 2019 Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its work in developing and delivering innovative teaching methods
  • 2018 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
  • 2017 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results showed that 90% of Swansea University's research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in a variety of disciplines, including rugby, football, and basketball
• Student support services include:
  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Disability support
  • Financial advice
  • International student support
• Campus facilities include:
  • Bay Campus: Modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, sports center, and student union
  • Singleton Campus: Historic campus with a mix of traditional and modern buildings, including the iconic Singleton Abbey
  • Tycoch Campus: Home to the College of Engineering and the School of Management

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Academics:

• Academic resources include:
  • Over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programs
  • World-class research facilities
  • Extensive library resources
• Faculty:
  • Over 1,000 academic staff, including internationally renowned researchers and industry experts
• Teaching methodologies:
  • Focus on student-centered learning
  • Use of innovative teaching methods, such as problem-based learning and flipped classrooms
• Academic support services:
  • Academic skills workshops
  • Writing center
  • Math and statistics support
• Unique academic programs or initiatives:
  • Swansea Employability Academy: Provides students with opportunities to develop employability skills
  • Swansea University Global: Offers international study and research opportunities

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Top 30 UK university
• Excellent teaching and research
• World-class facilities
• Strong industry connections
• Vibrant student life
• Notable alumni include:
  • Michael Sheen, actor
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress
  • Sir Terry Matthews, entrepreneur

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Housing services
• Library resources:
  • Over 1 million books and journals
  • Access to online databases and e-resources
• Technology support:
  • Free Wi-Fi across campus
  • Computer labs and printing facilities
• Career development services:
  • Career counseling
  • Job search assistance
  • Employer networking events