BSc BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WITH A YEAR IN INDUSTRY)
BSC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (WITH A YEAR IN INDUSTRY)
On this course, you’ll follow the same programme as our BSc Biological Sciences students, but you will spend your third year working in industry. 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. 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 new £75-million Quadram Institute.
About
This four-year degree programme follows the structure of our BSc Biological Sciences, while giving you the opportunity to spend your third year on an industrial placement from anywhere across the breadth of biology.
A year in industry 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.
The course has been granted Advanced Accreditation by the Royal Society of Biology.

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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 is accredited at advanced level by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting in part the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol). Graduates can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Member (MRSB) level after two years of practice, rather than the usual three years, due to the significant research experience acquired.

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Placement Year and Study Abroad
On this course you will spend your third year working in industry, gaining experience and skills that are highly valued by future employers. You will be expected to seek your own work placement, and will be supported to prepare a CV and apply for a range of opportunities. 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 industrial supervisor and a mentor from the university. You and your industrial 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 Year in Industry.

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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:
- 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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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 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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.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. Your balance of coursework and examinations will vary depending on your module choices. Although many of our modules are assessed through a mixture of coursework and examination, some are assessed only through 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, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.Entry Requirements
A Levels
BBB or ABC including Biology/Human Biology or BBC including grade B in Biology/Human Biology with an A in the Extended Project. Science A-levels must include a pass in the practical element.BTEC
DDM in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management with Science. Excluding Public Services, Forensic Science, Uniformed Services and Business Administration.Scottish highers
AABBB including grade B in Biology.Scottish highers advanced
CCC including Biology.Irish leaving certificate
2 subjects at H2 and 4 at H3, including Higher Level Biology.Access course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3 including 12 Level 3 credits in Biology.European Baccalaureate
70% overall, including 70% in Biology.International Baccalaureate
31 points with HL 5 in Biology.GCSE offer
You are required to have English Language at a minimum of Grade C/4 or above and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above at GCSE.
Additional entry requirements
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Science A-levels must include 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.
Biological Sciences with a Foundation Year
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 Sciences
International Foundation in Physical Sciences and Engineering
Alternative Qualifications
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
We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including speaking, listening, reading and writing) at the following level:
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in any component)
We will also accept a number of other English language qualifications. Please click here for further information.
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
The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some students an interview will be requested. You may be called for an interview to help the School of Study, and you, understand if the course is the right choice for you. The interview will cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a convenient 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, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

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Fees and Funding
Undergraduate University Fees and Financial Support
Tuition Fees
Information on tuition fees can be found here:
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 in industry. Further details are available on our Tuition Fees website. There may be extra costs related to items such as travel and accommodation during your year in industry, which will vary depending on location. Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.

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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 a secure 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 system 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 must be sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The UCAS code name and number for the University of East Anglia is EANGL E14.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Please complete our Online Enquiry Form to request a prospectus and to be kept up to date with news and events at the University.

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