Biology with Placement Year BSc

at University of Sheffield

Modules

Year 1:
 

In your first year you'll spend your first week conducting a biology project, learning how we do science in Sheffield and getting to know your fellow students. Throughout the year, you’ll maintain a broad overview of bioscience whilst studying topics of your choice such as biodiversity, sustainability and climate change, cell and molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry, and biomedicine, human health and disease. 
 

You'll also develop practical skills in the lab, ranging from microscopy, electrophysiology and DNA analyses, to regular field trips to zoos, aquariums and nature reserves, depending on the modules you choose. You'll have lectures and take part in small group tutorials where you'll enhance your writing, data analysis and presentation skills, develop employability skills and learn about the latest research findings from our world-leading academics.
 

Core modules

• Principles of Evolution
• Skills in Biology

Year 2:
 

In your second year, you’ll build on your new skills and knowledge covering more advanced scientific topics and techniques and you can start to specialise on the subject areas that you’re really passionate about. All of our biology students receive training in modern data analysis techniques and communication. Some students choose to take our science communication module where you'll get the chance to make your own factual science documentaries, with support and advice from professional filmmakers. Others choose to study our teaching and outreach module.
 

Core modules:

• Skills in Biology II

Year 3

You'll spend your third year on a work placement in industry. Previous students have found placements within industry, charities or government at organisations that include Atkins Environmental Consulting, Cadbury (Mondelēz International), Kew Gardens and Transport for London.

Year 4
 

You’ll have the opportunity to start your final year with an intensive field course in the UK or overseas, or an intensive lab course. These give you a flavour of what it’s like to be a full-time research biologist. Alongside your chosen modules from across the breadth of bioscience, this year you'll also complete a research project and dissertation in an area of biology that interests you. 
 

The dissertation offers a flexible opportunity to develop an advanced understanding of a chosen topic and you can choose to do a lab, field or computer based project. Whether you’ve focused on organisms and the environment, biomedicine or molecular bioscience during your degree, your project will be conducted under the supervision of one of our world experts. You’ll work in a small group to define questions, develop experimental protocols, conduct the research, analyse the data and ultimately produce a written report in the form of a scientific publication.
 

Core modules:

• Literature Review
• Research Project
   

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB

including Biology and a second science
 

A Levels + additional qualifications ABB, including Biology and a second science + B in the EPQ; ABB, including Biology and a second science + B in Core Maths
 

International Baccalaureate 33, with 5 in Higher Level Biology and a second science
 

BTEC Extended Diploma DDM in Applied Science or Forensic Science with Distinctions in all Biology units
 

BTEC Diploma DD in Applied Science or Forensic Science + B in an A Level science subject
 

Scottish Highers + 2 Advanced Highers AABBB + AB in Biology and a second science
 

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels B + AB in Biology and a second science
 

Access to HE Diploma Award of Access to HE Diploma in Science, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction (to include Biology and a second science) and 15 at Merit

Other requirements

• Second science subjects include Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Science or Geography. Human Biology is accepted in lieu of Biology, but Biology and Human Biology cannot be accepted in combination as the two science subjects

• GCSE Maths grade 4/C
   

English language requirements 
 

You must demonstrate that your English is good enough for you to successfully complete your course. For this course we require: GCSE English Language at grade 4/C; IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component; or an alternative acceptable English language qualification

Home students
£9,250

Overseas students
£25,670
 

Additional costs

The annual fee for your course includes a number of items in addition to your tuition. If an item or activity is classed as a compulsory element for your course, it will normally be included in your tuition fee. There are also other costs which you may need to consider.

Biosciences graduates have a growing range of career options available to them. Whether you want to work in industry, join a Top 100 graduate employer, or continue your studies, employers seek out our graduates because of their ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, handle data, and work to deadlines, independently and as part of a team.
 

Many of our graduates choose to pursue a bioscience research career, working within higher education, for public bodies and charities, or in research and development in leading organisations around the world. Some are saving local biodiversity and developing solutions to global food shortages, others are interested in industrial research, joining pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer goods companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Reckitt.
 

Our graduates are also applying their skills and training from Sheffield working in healthcare, in the NHS or for private healthcare providers or charities.
 

If conservation or ecological consultancy is something that you’re passionate about, the RSPB, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Wildlife Trusts are just some of the places where our graduates now work. Roles often cover environmental management, sustainable forestry, crop protection and breeding, and climate change mitigation.
 

Going on to further study in the biosciences, or in areas such as medicine, veterinary science, physiotherapy and teaching is another popular route, with graduates often completing masters courses and PhDs.
 

A biosciences degree from the University of Sheffield can even take you into roles in marketing, teaching, human resources, IT, science communication and beyond. Each year our graduates apply their transferable skills and begin careers in these areas with Top 100 employers like GSK, Google and Aldi.