Our four-year BSc Biology with Placement Year course offers you the flexibility to discover what kind of biologist you want to be. Whether your interests lie in organisms and the environment, biomedicine, or the molecular biosciences, or span all three, from your first year you’ll have the freedom to choose the topics you want to study across the breadth of biology. You’ll also have the opportunity to do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree.
Previous students have found placements within industry, charities or government at organisations including GSK, Pfizer, the Institute for Cancer Research, Microsoft Business Unit, West Yorkshire Police, the Environment Agency and the Field Studies Council. You could apply your scientific knowledge and transferable skills within or outside of the bioscience industry in areas including market research, communications or business development. It's a great opportunity to test out a career path that you're considering and many students are offered a graduate-level job at the end of it. You'll pay reduced fees for the year you're on placement and you'll still have the support you need from your tutor and the University.
During your time at Sheffield you’ll be able to study topics including:
○ biochemistry
○ microbiology
○ genetics
○ molecular and cell biology
○ physiology and pharmacology
○ neuroscience
○ pathobiology
○ evolution
○ zoology
○ animal behaviour
○ plant science
○ ecology and conservation
○ global change and sustainability
You’ll learn about these subjects in lectures, practicals, workshops and field trips to zoos, aquaria and wildlife reserves. As you progress through your degree you'll explore your chosen topics in greater depth, specialising in one area or keeping a broad overview across the biosciences. You’ll learn the core practical laboratory skills that are used across biology including microscopy, cell culturing and DNA preparation so no matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll be ready to address your own research questions. You’ll also learn problem solving, communication skills, critical evaluation and data analysis, key transferable skills that make biology graduates very attractive to employers.
We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll have the chance to carry out your own research projects in the lab, using the latest cutting-edge equipment to analyse stem cells, sequence DNA and study proteins and enzymes. You might choose to do field research projects in the Peak District National Park, or to embark on a once in a lifetime ecology field course in the UK or abroad. Or you can make the most of our links with the NHS, completing research in conjunction with the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
Biology at Sheffield is all about enabling you to study what you’re passionate about. From genes and molecules, to organ systems and behaviour, biodiversity and ecosystems, and everything in between, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.
Whether you want to pursue a career in science, apply your skills in industry, or continue your studies, Sheffield biosciences graduates are highly sought after due to their specialist laboratory and field skills, ability to solve problems, handle and analyse data, and effectively communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences. Our students secure roles with leading scientific organisations like GSK, AstraZeneca, Cancer Research, the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts, and the Natural History Museum. Transferable skills are embedded and developed throughout our degrees, which means year on year many of our graduates join top 100 employers like the BBC, Deloitte, the Civil Service, and the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. You can also apply your degree to other varied careers including bioinformatics, marketing and science communication, teaching and science policy. Some students go on to further study.
Course Details - Modules
Modules are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
C105
Institution code:
S18
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
including Biology and a second science.
Human Biology is accepted in lieu of Biology. Second science from Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology, Environmental Science or Geography
including a science in Scottish Highers plus grade B in Biology at Scottish Advanced Higher
60 credits overall in Science with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 credits at Distinction (to include Biology and a second science), and 9 credits at Merit. Applicants are considered individually
in Applied Science (with Distinctions in all Biology Units if not offered at A level) + A in an A Level science subject
plus ABB at A Level including Biology and a second science
with 6, 5 in Higher Level Biology and a second science
(RQF) DDD in Applied Science with Distinctions in all Biology Units
(QCF) DDD in Applied Science (with Distinctions in all Biology Units if not offered at A level) + A in an A Level science subject
including Biology and a second science
plus AA at A Level including Biology and a second science
To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
72%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
50%
Go onto work and study:
75%
Fees and funding
England
9250.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Scotland
9250.0
Year 1
Wales
9250.0
Year 1
International
25670.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
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.
For further information, please see https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-funding/fees-costs
Provider information
Western Bank
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Sheffield
S10 2TN
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