The University of Edinburgh
Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) BSc (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 85 graduates of Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) BSc (Hons) and other courses in biosciences (non-specific) at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in biosciences (non-specific).

Overall student satisfaction
78 /100
85 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 biosciences (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 £25000 £23500 £29500
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £29000 £18000 - £28000 £22500 - £40000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Biosciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24556 £30929 £35939
25-75 percentile range £21037 - £28149 £23857 - £42071 £28098 - £51622

Course Description

Biotechnology is one of the most dynamic areas of modern biology and takes a 'finding solutions' approach, which considers how the fundamental knowledge derived from biological sciences can be applied to industrial and biomedical applications including:

  • new drugs and vaccines to combat diseases
  • new enzymes for health care
  • bio-control agents in the field
  • biosensors to monitor environmental pollution
  • synthetic biology applications for industrial biotechnology and nanotechnology

Areas of study

On this programme you will explore biological areas such as:

  • microbial biotechnology
  • genetic and cloning technologies
  • drug design
  • plant cell technology
  • synthetic biology
  • stem cells
  • biological production methods

Flexibility

Biological Sciences explores the study of living organisms, covering everything from the interactions of animals in their environment to how genes are expressed.

We offer 12 different biological sciences subject areas, including biotechnology. Regardless of your initial application choice, you will have the opportunity to explore aspects of each of our programmes in the early years and choose to specialise in whichever one interests you.

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 Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) BSc (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

35% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10% Administrative occupations
5% Finance Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Media Professionals
5% Secretarial and related occupations
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) BSc (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £34800 year 1
International £34800 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

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:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Edinburgh in related subject specific rankings.

Engineering

    • #1 
    • #51 
    Biotechnology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #1 
    • #159 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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