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Marine Biology

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Edinburgh Campus
More about Heriot-Watt University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

Biology at Heriot-Watt University addresses issues of key importance in the modern world with emphasis placed on the applied aspects of each area, so that knowledge gained may be used to benefit society.

Our biology graduates have a strong record of employment in fields ranging from marine biology to pharmaceuticals, medical, water, the food industry and public sector organisations.

Studying biology at Heriot-Watt provides a thorough grounding in cell and molecular biology, microbiology, marine and environmental biology, toxicology and biotechnology. Emphasis is placed on the applied aspects of each discipline, so that knowledge may be used for the benefit of society.

The suite of biology degrees sits within the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. We offer seven degrees within the biology subject area, each allowing students to gain a firm foundation before specialising into their preferred field. Each degree comprises one or more key compulsory courses with a choice of optional courses that allows it to be fashioned to an individual student’s interests, within the constraints of the programme of study.

The newest addition to the suite of degrees is our Sports and Exercise Science BSc (Hons). The Sports degrees open to applications for September 2022 entry. These degrees comprise a core of sport and exercise science with an additional emphasis on the study of topics central to human health and well-being, such as biology, nutrition, physiology, and psychology.

Our biology degrees (with the exception of the Sports degrees) share courses at Level 1 while in later levels they comprise a mixture of compulsory and optional courses that reflect the specialist subject. Transfer between degrees is flexible during Levels 1 and 2, and possible in some cases during Levels 3 and 4.

Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Edinburgh Campus

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C160
Institution code:
H24
Campus name:
Edinburgh Campus
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • EU
  • Wales
  • England
  • International
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Republic of Ireland

Apply by
14 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:
C160
Institution code:
H24
Campus name:
Edinburgh Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
BBC

including a science subject (e.g. Biology, Chemistry,
Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics) at B for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: BBB including Biology or Human Biology.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMM

in relevant subject (including sufficient Science) for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: DDM in relevant subject (including sufficient Biology or Human Biology).

Scottish Higher
AABB

including a science subject (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics).

Scottish Advanced Higher
BB

including Biology or Human Biology plus Highers AABB for entry to Year 2.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
27 points

including a science subject at Higher Level 5 for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: 32 points with Biology or Human Biology at Higher Level 6.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent).

Scottish HNC
Pass

HNC in relevant subject (including sufficient science) with C in graded unit for entry to Year 1.
For Year 2 entry: HNC in relevant subject (science based course to include Biology) with grade B in graded unit.

Scottish HND
Pass

For Year 2 entry: HND in relevant subject (science based course to include Biology or Human Biology) with grades BB in graded units.
For Year 3 entry: HND in a relevant subject (science based course to include Biology or Human Biology) with grades AB in graded units.

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
Pass

We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.

T Level

We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.

We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible.

We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level BCC

including a science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics) at B.

Scottish Higher BBBC

including a science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics) at B.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) Pass

We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.

T Level

We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.

The University guarantees to make a minimum entry offer to anyone who would be considered a Home or Rest of UK (RUK) applicant and who has achieved, or can achieve, the required grades from the following categories:

Priority postcode areas – Home Scottish applicants from SIMD20 postcodes or RUK applicants from POLAR 4 quintile 1 areas – identified through Scottish and UK government targets.

Care experience – Home Scottish or RUK applicants who have had experience of care, including adoption, kinship care, foster care and home supervision orders.

English language requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.

HWU English Language Requirementshttps://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.

Learn more on the Heriot-Watt University website

Historical entry grades data

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.

Not available

Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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