Our three-year BSc Plant Sciences course will give you in-depth insight into fundamental plant biology, exploring photosynthesis, the genetics of disease resistance and the conservation of plant diversity. You’ll study these topics whilst considering the role of plants in solving global food and energy shortages, mitigating the effects of the climate crisis, and developing sustainable and green technologies.
You'll cover two main themes at Sheffield: plant physiology - how plants harvest light energy, acquire nutrients from the soil and convert this to sustain growth, and plant ecology - how plants interact with each other and their non-living environment, from disease resistance to biodiversity.
Our courses are designed for students who have a passion for understanding the role of plants in sustainability and the science and technology of food production. Sheffield is home to the Institute for Sustainable Food which brings together our expertise in this area in order to find dynamic solutions to the challenges of food security and sustainability. It’s research like this that you’ll be able to get involved in throughout your studies.
Alongside your specialist plant science modules, from your first year you’ll have the freedom to study topics across the breadth of biology to complement your knowledge. Topics range from molecular genetics, developmental biology and biochemistry, to evolution, zoology and physiology. This flexibility allows you to study plant sciences in greater depth from a range of perspectives, keep your interests broad or even switch to another degree programme within the biosciences. No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.
We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals, out in the Peak District conducting your own research projects, visiting zoos, aquariums and other scientific spots around the country and embarking on a once in a lifetime field course in the UK or abroad.
Whether you choose to focus solely on plant sciences, or study a range of topics across the biosciences, 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.
If you want to gain work experience as a recognised part of your degree, we have a Plant Sciences with Placement Year degree at both BSc and MBiolSci levels. You can test out a career path that you're considering between your second and third year - whether that's in the lab, the field, or applying your scientific knowledge and transferable skills in industry, and earn a salary while you're doing it.
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:
C200
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 in 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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