Biology (Professional Placement Year) BSc (Hons)
Bath Spa University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 3.9) View reviews

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
academic-cap
Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

location-pin
Location

Main Site

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

SELECTED

Subjects

Select a subject


Biological Sciences
SELECTED

Exam type

Select a an exam type


A level
SELECTED

Access to HE Diploma
SELECT

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
SELECT

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
SELECT

T Level
SELECT

Location

Select student location


England
SELECTED

Scotland
SELECT

Wales
SELECT

Northern Ireland
SELECT

Channel Islands
SELECT

Course info

This is the 4 year course which includes a Professional Placement Year. BSc (Hons) Biology at Bath Spa University is a contemporary skills based course producing highly employable professional biologists. This course covers all the core - aspects of biology, while allowing you to develop expertise in specialist areas. Biology has a strong practical element and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to study plants and animals in the wild as well as in our laboratories. There is also a strong human ...Read more

This is the 4 year course which includes a Professional Placement Year. BSc (Hons) Biology at Bath Spa University is a contemporary skills based course producing highly employable professional biologists. This course covers all the core - aspects of biology, while allowing you to develop expertise in specialist areas. Biology has a strong practical element and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to study plants and animals in the wild as well as in our laboratories. There is also a strong human biology thread in our degree programme. There is an optional sandwich year between your second and final year, giving you the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills into practice and experience a relevant job.This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers.The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.- Flexible structure which gives students the breadth to explore and specialise in an area of choice. - Practical Course using contemporary learning methods. - Attend scheduled practical sessions, day trips and residential field trips provide the opportunity to study topics in greater depth.- High Employability of graduates.


More about the Professional Placement Year

A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team. The PPY Bursary can make work experience more accessible, with students undertaking a PPY able to receive between £500 and £1,500 to be used towards placement costs such as travel, food, workwear or accommodation.

Key stats

CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
78th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
104th
Biology (Non-Specific)
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Biology (Non-Specific) graduate salary at this uni
£18,000
UK Biology (Non-Specific) graduate salary
£18,000
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

i am loving the uni and i am making the most out of every opportunity that comes my way. yiou should get involved with everyhting you can as much as possible this is my adivce...Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

my advice to students thinking of choosing Bath spa university would be to do assignments early I would change the accomodation to be nearer Others should choose this university..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Module Options
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BCC - BBB Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

M:45 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM - DMM Grades / Points required

T Level:

M Grades / Points required

A Level - grades BBB-BCC including a Grade B in Biology, Human Biology, Biological Sciences or Social Biology.

Access to HE courses - typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher) in a science or related subject.

A minimum of 32 points are required.

BTEC - Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject.

Grade Merit preferred in a relevant subject.

Popular A-level subjects

Biology (Non-Specific)

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Biology
88%
Psychology
31%
Chemistry
30%
Mathematics
25%
Geography
18%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Biology (General) reviews

Biology (General)
Biology (General)
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
i am loving the uni and i am making the most out of every opportunity that comes my way. yiou should get involved with everyhting you can as much as possible this is my adivce....
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
my advice to students thinking of choosing Bath spa university would be to do assignments early I would change the accomodation to be nearer Others should choose this university...
Read more
Review breakdown
University rating
University rating
Students' union
Societies and Sports
University halls
Facilities
Lecturers and teaching quality
Local life
Career prospects
Student support
Location
Campus look and feel
Student life
Course rating
Course content
Work placements and internships
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
University location
Cost of living
Safety
Public transport
Part-time work opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities
Diversity
Location
Safety
Room allocation
Internet/wifi
Value for money
Property management

How Biology (General) students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 10 reviews
5 star
40%
4 stars
40%
3 stars
20%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 3.9) 756 reviews
5 star
19%
4 stars
62%
3 stars
17%
2 stars
2%
1 star
0%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

Bath Spa University
Newton Park Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 9BN United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Oldfield Park  1.6 miles away
Thinking of studying in Bristol?

Check out our

Bristol city guide

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate