BSc (Hons) BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR
BSC (HONS) BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR
Wherever your interests lie in the vast world of biological sciences, the Foundation Year will pique your curiosity and quench your thirst for answers to important scientific questions. In the most recent Times Higher Education REF Analysis (2021), we were ranked 17th overall for research quality in Biological Science.
You’ll have contact with academics and researchers from across the Faculty of Science, many of whom are world-leaders in their chosen research areas. And beyond the timetabled lecture series, you’ll have the opportunity to attend talks by guest lecturers and speakers.
You’ll cover current scientific topics that have significance and importance for society, such as the changing global climate, the emergence of infectious diseases, and the challenging field of bioethics. And you’ll be encouraged to develop your critical thinking skills by evaluating sources of scientific evidence and including such sources in your own written work. At UEA, we are uniquely partnered with the Norwich Research Park, providing you with access to a learning experience that is dynamic and fascinating – and fuelled by research that is happening right here, right now.
About
On this course, you’ll follow the same programme as our BSc Biological Sciences students, but you will spend your third year on a work placement relevant to your interests. You’ll be able to undertake a placement that could cover any aspect from across the field of biology. For example, our students have worked in large pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline, small biotechnology companies such as Phico Therapeutics, research institutes like the John Innes Centre, educational placements with the Field Studies Council or conservation placements like those taking place in the Norfolk Broads. Your placement can be in the UK or abroad, with recent students travelling to Poland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.Accreditation
This course has received Advanced Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology.
Advanced accreditation recognises academic excellence in the biosciences, and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future. The advanced accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from advanced accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including gaining substantial research experience. The current period of accreditation is for a five-year period, from 2020 to 2025. We expect to apply for renewal of accreditation at the end of this period.
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Placement Year and Study Abroad
On this course, you’ll spend your third year working on a placement that is relevant to your interests, gaining experience and skills that are highly valued by future employers. You will be expected to seek your own work placement, and in the first two weeks of your second year you’ll be asked to write a CV and to apply to a range of employers. Not only will this ensure that you work within your preferred field, it will also provide you with the essential job-hunting skills you will require after graduation. We will, of course, offer our guidance and support whilst students are identifying and negotiating placement opportunities.
During this year, you’ll be supported by a placement supervisor and a mentor from the university. You and your placement supervisor will feed back during the placement to ensure that it is progressing well, and your UEA mentor will visit you during the year.
Please note that we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers. If you are unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year you will have the option to apply to transfer onto the equivalent degree programme without a placement year or the Biological Sciences MSci degree.
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After the Course
You’ll not only gain scientific knowledge, you’ll also develop your skills in areas of research and communication, IT, data collection, analytics and critical thinking. This combination makes you highly employable. Our graduates have gone on to establish careers in pharmaceuticals, the food and brewing industries, medical laboratories, forensic sciences, conservation management, environmental assessment, teaching, science communication and more. A number of our graduates have progressed on to higher degrees (e.g. MSc, PhD).
Career destinations
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Recent graduates have entered a number of fields, including:
- Further academic research
- Pharmaceutical research and development
- Biotechnology
- Science education or communication
- NHS
- Bioinformatics
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Assessment for Year 1
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
Assessment for Year 2
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
BEGINNERS' LANGUAGE MODULES
You can select from a wide range of language modules. For more information, and for a full list of available module options, please visit our Language Options page.
Assessment for Year 3
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
Assessment for Year 4
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
Assessment for Year 1
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 2
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
BEGINNERS' LANGUAGE MODULES
You can select from a wide range of language modules. For more information, and for a full list of available module options, please visit our Language Options page.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 3
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Students must take EITHER BIO-6019Y or BIO-6022Y (dependent of availability). Modules in this range are core, which means they have to be passed and are not eligible for compensation.
Assessment for Year 4
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course to best reflect the subject matter in hand. These include formal examinations, project reports, course tests, practical and fieldwork reports, poster and oral presentations, essays and worksheets. The balance of coursework and examinations will vary in accordance with your module choices. For example, many of our modules are split 40% coursework, 60% examination, but a small number are 100% coursework.
Your placement year will be assessed by an extended written report and a presentation upon returning to UEA, which will be graded on a pass or fail basis.
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
A Levels
AAB including Biology or Human Biology. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer, if you achieve an A in the EPQ.T Levels
Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects are: ScienceBTEC
DDD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management with Science. Excludes BTEC Public Services, Forensic Science, Uniformed Services, or Business AdministrationScottish highers
AAAAA including Biology/Human BiologyScottish highers advanced
BBC including Biology/Human BiologyIrish leaving certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3, including BiologyAccess course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3, including 12 credits in BiologyEuropean Baccalaureate
80% overall with grade 7 in BiologyInternational Baccalaureate
33 points with HL 5 in BiologyGCSE offer
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
Additional entry requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as BSc Biological Sciences with a Foundation Year .
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA, offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Pharmacy, Health and Life Sciences (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
International Year One in Biology (for Year 2 entry to UEA)
Students for whom english is a foreign language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
- IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
Gap year
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
You are eligible for reduced fees during the placement year. Further details are available on our Tuition Fees website. There may be extra costs related to items such as travel and accommodation during your placement year, which will vary depending on location.
View our information about Additional Course Fees.
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How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
We’re 17th for research quality!
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Hear from our students
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What's included in your fees
We’re 17th for research quality!
Ask a Student
UEA Award
Hear from our students
UEA Award
Ask a Student
What's included in your fees
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