Biological Sciences with Professional Training Year Cardiff University

Our research-led Biological Sciences degree provides the greatest possible choice and flexibility, allowing you to choose modules across virtually the whole range of subjects on offer at the School.

We offer a wide choice of subjects across the biological sciences including: animal and plant biology; microbiology; genetics; systems biology; ecology; disease; behaviour; neuroscience; zoology; developmental and stem cell biology; and evolution. As part of our Ecology and Conservation module, we also run a range of subsidised field courses both within the UK and overseas, including River Ecology in Wales, Tropical Marine Ecology in Tobago, and Rainforest Biodiversity in Malaysia.

As part of this course you will spend your third year on placement at a field centre, zoological or botanical institute, museum, industrial research laboratory, or other approved establishment of your choice. This offers a great opportunity to gain first-hand professional research experience, and it has been shown to greatly enhance your degree and subsequent employment prospects.

Many placements are in the UK, but in recent years we have had an increasing number of students taking up placements in international locations, including Southeast Asia, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Australia, Madagascar, and the USA.

Your degree title remains flexible up until your final year, when you can either continue with BSc Biological Sciences, or switch to another of our BSc bioscience degrees. You can also choose to graduate with a more specialist degree title, including BSc Biological Sciences (Genetics) and BSc Biological Sciences (Zoology).

Your final degree title will depend on your module selection and your Personal Tutor will guide you through the options available to you. You may also have the option of switching to our MBiol integrated master's degree, which forms an excellent basis for a future career in scientific research.

Our Biological Sciences course provides an excellent foundation for careers within all areas of biological sciences, and offers strong training for research scientists. Our graduates have gone on to a range of exciting and fulfilling careers in both scientific and non-scientific related fields, including marine biology, ecology and conservation, scientific publishing, pharmaceutical industries, molecular biology, journalism, teaching and veterinary science. Many also choose to further their studies by pursuing a master's degree or PhD.

You may also be interested in the following courses:

BSc Biological Sciences

MBiol Biological Sciences (integrated master's degree) with Professional Training Year

BSc Biochemistry with Professional Training Year

Entry requirements

A Levels

AAB-ABB. Must include Biology (or Human Biology) or Chemistry. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

English requirements

Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits. III: at least a Pass in all components.

Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.