Life Sciences (includes foundation year) BSc (Hons)
Aberystwyth University
Student rating
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( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

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

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Location

Main Site (Aberystwyth)

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

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

Location

Main Site (Aberystwyth)

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Biological Sciences
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Location

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Domestic
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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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Course info

If you lack the necessary qualifications to enter on to one of our three-year programmes, Aberystwyth University’s four-year Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Life Sciences with an integrated foundation year is an effective way of entering university to study biological sciences. In your foundation year, you will be taught the fundamentals of biology, including biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, ecology, zoology, genetics, botany etc. On successful completion of the foundation year, ...Read more

If you lack the necessary qualifications to enter on to one of our three-year programmes, Aberystwyth University’s four-year Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Life Sciences with an integrated foundation year is an effective way of entering university to study biological sciences. In your foundation year, you will be taught the fundamentals of biology, including biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, ecology, zoology, genetics, botany etc. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to transfer onto any of the three-year degree schemes offered by the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences. Learn and live in an exceptional environment where you will be surrounded by many internationally recognised habitats including the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, RAMSAR wetlands, marine special areas of conservation, National Nature Reserves, sites of special scientific interest to name but a few. You will be taught by internationally recognised staff from within Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) utilising state of the art teaching facilities providing an outstanding learning experience. Students will benefit from the use of an array of modern facilities including aquaria for marine and freshwater organisms, mass spectrometry and analytical unit, high-throughput DNA sequencing, a bio-imaging laboratory, growth rooms and glasshouses, the National Plant Phenomics Centre, university farms and an equine centre etc. Learn in an award-winning department, where we are top 10 in the UK for research intensity in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment (2014). 78% of research assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2014 REF. This course will allow you to explore the key biological concepts covering: biological molecules, cells, organelles and their function, cell growth and division; prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms including plants and animals, their ecological interactions, evolution, natural selection, and conservation. Upon successful completion of this foundation programme, you could progress onto any of our degree schemes offered by IBERS.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2025 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
67/279
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
51st
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
42nd
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 - 75 = 25% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
25%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
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
Chemistry
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 - 75 = 25% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
25%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
92%
Computer Science
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 - 75 = 25% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
25%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
100%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Computer Science graduate salary at this uni
£27,000
UK Computer Science graduate salary
£24,000
What students say
W
Will
19 Feb 25

Good uni for biology and related sciences, good people and good lecturers. Worst part is the hill but you get big legs by the end of..Read more

E
Emily
19 Feb 25

Good teachers and good accommodations..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
IDP Connect

Popular A-level subjects

Biology (Non-Specific)

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

Biology
86%
Chemistry
39%
Geography
26%
Mathematics
24%
Psychology
21%
HESA
Computer Science

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

Mathematics
39%
Computing
34%
Physics
24%
Information & Communication technology
19%
Chemistry
15%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£9,000 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 Domestic

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

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

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£18,830 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 EU

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

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

£18,830 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 International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£18830 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Biology reviews

Biology
Biology
W
Will
19 Feb 25
Veterinary Biosciences
Good uni for biology and related sciences, good people and good lecturers. Worst part is the hill but you get big legs by the end of...
Read more
E
Emily
19 Feb 25
Veterinary Biosciences
Good teachers and good accommodations...
Read more
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How Biology students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 127 reviews
5 star
47%
4 stars
41%
3 stars
11%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 1,699 reviews
5 star
48%
4 stars
43%
3 stars
8%
2 stars
1%
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Uni info

Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University , Wales

Aberystwyth University offers an excellent university experience and is consistently ranked amongst the best universities in the UK....

Student rating
( 4.4) View reviews
CUG ranking
42nd
Aberystwyth University
Penglais Campus Penglais Road Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 3DD United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Aberystwyth  0.4 miles away

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