Aberystwyth University
Life Sciences (includes foundation year) BSc (Hons)
Aberystwyth University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 15 graduates of Life Sciences (includes foundation year) BSc (Hons) and other courses in biology (non-specific) at Aberystwyth University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in biology (non-specific).

Overall student satisfaction
92 /100
15 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Biosciences

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of biology (non-specific) at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23000 £19000 £23000
25-75 percentile range £19000 - £27500 £14000 - £22500 £18000 - £28500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Biosciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24966 £22375 £26273
25-75 percentile range £20975 - £27992 £16894 - £27526 £20699 - £33736

Course Description

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.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Life Sciences (includes foundation year) BSc (Hons) at Aberystwyth University

20% Sales occupations
10% Elementary occupations
10% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Caring personal services
5% Customer service occupations
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Welfare and housing associate professionals
5% Legal professionals
5% Administrative occupations

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for biology (non-specific)

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
Cambridge English Advanced
Cambridge English Proficiency
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

With minimum 5.5 in each component.

PTE Academic 55

With minimum score of 51 in any component.

TOEFL (iBT) 88

With minimum scores in components as follows: Listening 21; Writing 21; Reading 22; Speaking 23.

Aberystwyth University offers a valuable package of scholarships and bursaries to support students. Our long-established Entrance Examination competition means you could get up to £2,000 a year towards your living and study costs. You can combine that with any or all of our other awards, to make your financial package more valuable. Our awards include Sport and Music Scholarships, Bursaries for Care Leavers/Young Carers and a range of department specific awards. Please visit our website for full details.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Life Sciences (includes foundation year), BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Life Sciences (includes foundation year) BSc (Hons)

England UK £9000 year 1
Northern Ireland £9000 year 1
Scotland £9000 year 1
Wales £9000 year 1
Channel Islands £9000 year 1
Ireland £9000 year 1
EU £18830 year 1
International £18830 year 1

Additional fee information

The UK and Welsh Governments have confirmed that EU students commencing their studies in the academic year 2021/22 will no longer be eligible for home fee status. Fees for EU students will therefore be charged in line with international fees from 2021/22 onwards.

Please note Irish nationals will continue to be eligible for home fee status and support by the Welsh Government under the Common Travel Area arrangement

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • Foundation

University Rankings

Positions of Aberystwyth University in top UK and global rankings.

See all 24 university rankings of Aberystwyth University

About Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University (Aber) was founded in 1872 in Aberystwyth, Wales. This university has earned itself an impressive array of awards in various domains, including in teaching standards and post-graduate employability. Whether you enjoy walking by the beach or visiting the historic town centre, Aberystwyth is a superb option for those students looking for a quiet place to focus on their academic goals.

List of 383 Bachelor and Master Courses from Aberystwyth University - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Main Site (Aberystwyth)
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