BSc BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR
BSC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES WITH A PLACEMENT YEAR
We’re world leaders in biological research, so by studying with us you’ll benefit from exposure to our cutting-edge research in molecular, cellular and whole organism biology. You’ll have the chance to get to grips with the application of science within major global challenges such as environmental management, food security, biotechnology and human health. And with the hands-on experience you’ll have gained, you’ll be one step closer to becoming a pioneer in your chosen field. You will benefit from our enviable position as an integral partner of the Norwich Research Park, which is also home to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and independent, world-renowned research institutes such as the John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory, the Earlham Institute, and the Quadram Institute.
This four-year degree programme follows the structure of our BSc Biological Sciences, while giving you the opportunity to spend your third year on a work placement from anywhere across the breadth of biology.
A placement year makes an invaluable addition to your scientific knowledge and skills, increasing your employability and giving you the chance to put your first two years of learning into practice.
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 been accredited by 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 will 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 will 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 an 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 combinations 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
Recent graduates have entered a number of fields, including:
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Further academic research
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Pharmaceutical research and development
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Biotechnology
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Science education or communication
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NHS
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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.
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.
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.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-6023Y or BIO-6028Y or BIO-6022Y (dependent of availability). Students may be moved from BIO-6019Y to BIO-6023Y, based on stage 2 results. 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
ABB including Biology/Human Biology or BBB including Biology/Human Biology with an A in the Extended Project. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element.T Levels
No acceptable pathways for 2022 entryBTEC
DDM in Applied Science, or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management with Science. Excludes BTEC Forensic Science, Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration.Scottish highers
AAABB including grade A in BiologyScottish highers advanced
BCC including BiologyIrish leaving certificate
3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3 including BiologyAccess course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at level 3, including 12 credits in BiologyEuropean Baccalaureate
75% overall with 7 in BiologyInternational Baccalaureate
32 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
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.
INTO UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO University of East Anglia offers guaranteed 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 Science
International Year One in Biology for year 2 entry.
Alternative Entry Requirements
UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher Level. In addition some degree programmes require specific subjects at a higher level.
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):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
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IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Please click here to see our full list.
INTO University of East Anglia
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
See our Tuition Fees page for further information.
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.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
You are eligible for reduced fees during the year abroad. Further details are available on our Tuition Fee 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
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is an online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The application allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it is sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.

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