Studying living organisms in all their variety is truly fascinating, and helps us to identify critical threats and major opportunities, from the smallest scale to the largest.
Our Biology programme is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in the study of life and ecosystems. Alongside this, we will equip you with the scientific expertise and transferable skills needed to make meaningful contributions towards solving current environmental and societal challenges.
The breadth of the curriculum will allow you to develop your knowledge in relation to the biological principles that govern life on our planet, while building a clear understanding of species, habitats, and ecological processes.
Through a blend of fieldwork, lab research and theoretical study, you will develop the skills to investigate life, from a molecular scale right through to studying whole ecosystems, becoming an effective communicator and collaborative leader, that is ready to tackle global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental crises.
Our degree uses ethical, sustainable and innovative approaches to fully prepare you for a range of meaningful careers in biology, ecology, conservation, and environmental management.
Biology at Swansea University has a strong reputation, and draws students from all over the world. You will be based on our Singleton Park Campus, set in beautiful parkland overlooking Swansea Bay.
You will be joining a high-performing department, which is currently ranked:
• 11th in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2026)
• 14th in the UK for Research – assessed under ‘Biological Sciences’ (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, enabling you to gain valuable workplace experience and make industry connections.
In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Cellular & Microbial Biology; Becoming a Scientist; Life in the Oceans.
In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Plant Ecology; Ecological Data Analysis; Ecological Microbiology and the Cycles of Life.
In Year 3: Year spent in Industry.
In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: Biosciences Research Project; Tropical marine ecology field course.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and discussion groups supported by practical classes and field courses. You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including examinations, coursework and a practical research project.
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
The following entry points are available for this course:
If you are an International Student, please visit our International pages for more information about entry requirements: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/requirements/
Discover what it's like to study Biology with a Year in Industry at Swansea University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
To include Biology or Human Biology
From Science based BTEC Extended Diploma (excluding Animal Management and Health Science) plus at least one grade B in GCSE Science with GCSE Grades C in English/Welsh and Mathematics. Accepted BTECs: Applied Science, Environmental Sustainability and Countryside Management.
Pass with Distinction overall to include 24 distinctions (3 in Biology), plus 15 Merits. Only Science based Access course considered (excluding Health Sciences)
ABBCC to include Biology Grade B
To include 5 in Higher Level Biology or Human Biology
Swansea University accepts the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales as fully equivalent to x1 A-Level.
Requirements are as for A levels where you can substitute the same non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level Core Grade
We recognise the EPQ as an excellent indicator of success.
If you are predicted a Grade B or above in the EPQ, you will receive an offer with a one
grade reduction, to include your EPQ with a grade B.
English Language Requirements at Swansea Universityhttps://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/
UK applicants who meet course requirements are guaranteed a conditional offer. We assess applications on individual merit. We consider making reduced offers, eg. to Care Leavers or students with extenuating circumstances. We encourage you to disclose any relevant circumstances.
The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales is considered as equivalent to one full A-Level and students can take x2 A-levels alongside this. EPQ students predicted Grade B or above will receive a one-grade offer reduction.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
For the latest fee information, please check the individual course page on our website. Our full range of programmes are listed here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.
To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/scholarships/
Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page https://www.swansea.ac.uk/academi-hywel-teifi/learn/scholarships/
Ask us a question - undergraduate enquiries.
Email:study@swansea.ac.uk
Phone:01792 295111
Email:study@swansea.ac.uk
Phone:01792 295111
Fax: 01792 295110
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
At Swansea University
