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Biological Sciences at UEA
Find out more about studying Biological Sciences at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBSc (Hons) Molecular Biology and Genetics with a Placement Year
Key details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- CC7P
- Typical Offer
- AAB (specific subject required)
- Contextual Offer
- CCC (specific subject required)
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Other Start Dates
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Other Start Dates
93%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 202017th
UEA is ranked 17th overall for research quality in Biological Science
The Times Higher Education REF 2021 AnalysisCourse Overview
After the enormous advances made in the last few years, this is the perfect time to study molecular biology and genetics. Studying this BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics with a Placement Year will provide you with a fundamental grounding in biology while allowing you to determine which areas of molecular biology or genetics best align with your interests.
You’ll study alongside students from other biology courses and will have the flexibility to shape your degree to reflect the areas of biology you want to explore. This may include specialising in medical genetics, biotechnology, or agriculture, as well as their applications in fields such as human health and disease, microbial or plant molecular biology, cellular signaling, and evolutionary biology.
This four-year programme follows the structure of our BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics while giving you the opportunity to spend your third year on a work placement of your choice. 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. Your placement can be in the UK or abroad, with recent students traveling to Europe, Australia, and North America. Previous students have worked in large pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline, small biotechnology companies such as Phico Therapeutics, or research institutes like the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute, and the Earlham Institute.
At UEA, you’ll benefit from our enviable position as an integral partner of the Norwich Research Park, which is home to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and independent, world-renowned research institutes: the John Innes Centre, the Sainsbury Laboratory, the Quadram Institute (a food and health research centre), and the Earlham Institute (a genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology research centre).
In your final year, you’ll have the chance to further develop your skills with an independent research project in a unique area of science and could even see your research published.
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Placement Year
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’ll be expected to seek your own work placement, and at the start 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’ll 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’re unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year you’ll have the option to apply to transfer onto the equivalent degree programme without a placement year or the Biological Sciences MSci degree.
Careers
Career Pathways
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Healthcare
- Medical laboratory work
- Genetics
- Teaching
Discover more on our Careers pages.
After the Course
Our courses don't just provide you with scientific knowledge; they also develop your skills in the areas of research and communication, IT and data science, data collection, analytics and critical thinking. Our graduates have entered careers in pharmaceuticals, food and brewing industries, medical laboratories, forensic sciences, conservation management, environmental assessment, teaching, science communication and more.
The School of Biological Sciences works together with UEA’s Careers Service to offer you support at every stage of your course, from choosing a career through to applying for graduate jobs and further study.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Contextual Offers
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(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB including Biology or Human Biology
Contextual offer: BBB including Biology or Human Biology
Where applicable, Science A Levels awarded by an English exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management, OR DDD plus A-Level grade B in Biology or Human Biology.
Contextual offer: DMM in Applied Science, or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management
For Forensic and Criminal Investigation applicants MUST be studying ONE of the following modules: Physiology and Human Body Systems, Environmental Forensics, Forensic Genetics or Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques.
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: DD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management plus B at A-Level in one other subject OR DD plus A-Level grade B in Biology or Human Biology.
Contextual offer: DD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management plus C at A-Level in one other subject OR DD plus A-Level grade C in Biology or Human Biology.
Extended Certificate: D in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation plus AB at A level OR D plus AB at A-level in Biology/Human Biology and one other subject. NOTE: Countryside Management isn't accepted but we can accept the Foundation Diploma.
Contextual offer: D in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation plus BB at A level OR D plus BB at A-level in Biology/Human Biology and one other subject. NOTE: Countryside Management isn't accepted but we can accept the Foundation Diploma.
For Forensic and Criminal Investigation applicants MUST be studying ONE of the following modules: Physiology and Human Body Systems, Environmental Forensics, Forensic Genetics or Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers. Where applicable, Science A Levels awarded by an English exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Science Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3 including 12 credits in Biology.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. We accept: Science pathway
Foundation Year options:
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
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall with HL 5 in Biology
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 including Biology
Scottish Highers
AAAAA including Biology
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC including Biology. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
A levels
AAB including Biology or Human Biology
Where applicable, Science A Levels awarded by an English exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall with HL 5 in Biology
- INTO UEA
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.
- English 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)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
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.
-
- Deferred Entry
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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
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: