Biology Undergraduate - 2021 Entry

Biology covers both the unity and diversity of living organisms. During this biology degree you will be able to develop interests in plant and animal science and receive a thorough grounding in cell and molecular biology, as well as access modules as diverse as marine ecology and medical genetics.

Evolutionary, ecological and environmental aspects are strongly emphasised in our biology degree, and there is opportunity to follow applied aspects of biology and to learn about fundamental biological processes and mechanisms. Extensive use is made of the exceptional range of local terrestrial and aquatic habitats during field courses and practical classes. We are unusual among British Universities in having our own botanical gardens with various habitats for biological studies. We are also part of the Environment Centre Wales which is a partnership venture between Bangor University and the Natural Environment Research Council’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH).

During our biology degree you will receive training that covers the biology of plants and animals – from their molecular biology to their function in natural communities. We provide a diversity of laboratory and field biology experience, enabling you to acquire transferable skills (data analysis, group work, writing and presentational skills, IT skills). Whilst studying for this biology degree you are able to choose from a variety of modules across the School making it possible to specialise in different aspects of Biology depending on individual preferences. Possibilities range from plant diversity and ecosystem functioning through to whole-organism studies down to molecules and cells, with consideration of animal/plant form and function. We also offer modules on human health and disease and enable students to undertake field work.

Watch: Studying Biological Sciences

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Cutting-edge science is integral to our research programmes, and feeds through into the teaching environment. Our expertise in biology covers aspects of stress biology, energetics, adaptation to change, population genetics, biogeography, molecular ecology, climate change and carbon stores, cell and genomic biology, environmental micro-biology, neurobiology and development.
• Our excellent facilities include: a Botanical Garden; our own Natural History Museum containing a comprehensive collection of invertebrate and vertebrate material and extensive marine and freshwater aquaria; and the Robert Edwards Laboratory for teaching cell and molecular biology.
• Bangor’s location makes it an ideal place to study biology – the range of soil types, climate and topography provides numerous diverse habitats, all within easy reach for field-based studies.
• Bangor is home to the divisional offices of Natural Resources Wales and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, both of which have close links to the University and staff associated with this course.
• Exchange programmes and opportunities for studying abroad available.

Students on this course are required to take 120 credits each year made up of lectures, practicals and interactive exercises, as well as field  trips and tutorials in years 1 and 2. The final year includes a dissertation project, supervised by a staff member on a subject of interest. Modules become more specialised as the degree progresses and the number of compulsory modules varies between years. Assessment is by a mixture of formal examination and continuous assessment. Welsh medium modules are also available.

The number of credits is given in brackets after the name of each module. Some modules will include lectures, practicals and interactive exercises. Students taking the Biology degree have a wide choice of optional modules.

Modules for the current academic year

Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Biology Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

Mandatory Costs:

Suitable clothing and equipment for fieldwork will be required e.g. walking boots and waterproofs, rucksack. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £50-£80.

Appropriate stationary for note-taking during classes, e.g. notepad, pens and pencils. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £5-£15.

Necessarily Incurred Costs:

Students may be required to provide their own food on the Year 2 fieldcourses. The cost for these will vary. Materials for the preparation of assessments: the cost and number of these will vary. Approximate cost: £10-£15.

Travel costs to undertake any fieldwork as part of Year 3 Honours Project research. The cost will vary by project (and may not even be incurred). Approximate cost for a UK-based project in a student’s home area: £15-£20. 

Optional Costs:

Cost for optional residential overseas field courses: from £600 to approximately £2,000. Free local option also available.

Purchase of Wellington Boots for fieldwork. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £10-£20.

Costs of any visas and vaccinations required if the student opts to undertake project work overseas. The cost for these will vary.

General University Costs

Home (UK) students

• The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry).
• More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.

International (including EU) students

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:

• If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
• If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).

Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:

1. Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
2. Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
3. Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.

For 2021 entry:

GCSE: grade C/4 in English, Maths and and Double Award Science. 

Offers are tariff based, 80 - 112 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification e.g.:

• A Levels (including grade C in Biology if studying 1 other science subject - Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Psychology, Environment Science, Geography, Geology; or grade B in Biology if not studying another science subject.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Including H5 in Biology. 
• BTEC National/Extended Diploma: MMP - DMM including Merits in 4 Biology modules. Modules accepted: Animal Biology; Animal Anatomy and Physiology; Animal Behaviour and Communication; Animal Breeding and Genetics; Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques; Biochemistry and Microbiology; Fundamentals of Science; Genetics and Genetic Engineering; Inheritance and Genetic Manipulation; Physiology of Human Body systems; Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction; Wildlife Populations, Ecology and Conservation. Other Biology-related modules considered case by case. 
• City & Guilds Advanced Technical (1080) / Extended Diploma: MMP - DMM,  including 4 Biology modules from the following: Animal Behaviour and Communication, Biological Systems of Animals, Wildlife and Ecology Conservation, Inheritance and Genetics, Ecological Concepts and Application, Population Surveys, Ecology and Conservation. Other Biology-related modules considered case by case. 
• Access to HE in the Sciences
• Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
• Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma is not accepted.

International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements), details here.

We also welcome applications from mature applicants

*For full details go to our website and for a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com

General University Requirements

To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.

We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.

All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.

As part of the University’s policy we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.

We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.   

EU and International Students' Entry Requirements

For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.

Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.

Biologists pursue a range of careers from being environmental consultants to working in research and development, the health service and further education.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) 

With the BEA, you can gain recognition for your extra-curricular activities (e.g. volunteering, clubs and societies, part-time work, etc.) 

Internships

Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments. 

Student Volunteering

Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about the volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.