Biology

取得日期：未有保存

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/biology/biology-mbiol/

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/entry/hong-kong/

https://www.ucas.com/explore/courses/ffbb39af-98ea-76ba-499c-15453cc298a5?studyYear=2027

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/subjects/entry/language-requirements/undergraduate/

<iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-KW2XNGZ"

height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe>

University of St Andrews

Toggle search

Hide searchSubmit

Search for:Close window

Popular searches Library Semester dates Vacancies Law Accommodation Study abroad Open days Tuition fees

Close window

Biology MBiol (Honours) 2027 entry

Register your interest How to apply

UCAS code

Course start

September 2027

Duration

Five years full time

School of Biology

Why study this course?

Biology involves the study of life at all levels of organisation, from the molecular biology of virus replication to the study of animals and plants in their natural habitats. Biology also touches on many aspects of contemporary life, from drug design and investigating the molecular basis of Alzheimer’s disease, to the migration and conservation of marine and terrestrial species.

The MBiol allows you to combine undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single five-year programme, graduating with a Masters degree. The course is designed to enhance your research experience, preparing you for a career within the scientific sector.

Students can also take Biology as a standard four-year BSc degree.

Course details

The MBiol in Biology is a five-year Integrated Masters course run by the School of Biology. Biology at St Andrews provides students with high-tech equipment, laboratories and expertise to facilitate learning and to develop the skillset of a modern biologist.

Alongside biology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you might carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

In the first three years of your degree, you will cover the fundamental aspects of biology and begin to focus on advanced core material in your chosen area. In third year, there is a shift from core, broad-themed modules to more specialised modules that allow students to prepare for their Honours degree.

In your fourth year, students typically undertake a year-long research placement, often away from St Andrews, in a research institute or in industry, along with an experimental design online module.

The fifth and final year of the Masters degree involves highly specialised taught courses in your chosen speciality.

You also have the opportunity to apply for Vertically Integrated Project Modules (VIPs), which are research-based modules led by an academic supervisor and made up of a team of students from all years of study. These modules provide hands-on, real-world research experience and the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Centres of research within the School of Biology offer students the experience of working alongside experts and the opportunity to develop their own research in Honours years.

These facilities include:

The Scottish Oceans Institute houses a modern aquarium and laboratories for molecular, developmental and physiological studies of marine systems. The institute is ideally placed on the seashore near grey and common seal colonies and bottlenose dolphin feeding areas.

The Centre for Biological Diversity has excellent facilities for behavioural, ecological and evolutionary research on small animals (including birds and insects) and on plants. Many members of the CBD also run active field studies as part of their research, allowing access to field-based projects as well as laboratory studies.

The Biomedical Sciences Research Complex offers large multi-group laboratories which are focused on structural biology, molecular microbiology, virology, chemical biology, cell biology, and molecular medicine.

Field trips

Throughout the course, students studying biology will also have the opportunity to go on field trips to gather data. Those who have a particular interest in ecology or marine biology will be perfectly located in St Andrews on the shores of the east coast. In Honours years, students can explore further afield, where recent courses have visited places such as the Red Sea and Antarctica.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits.

Ask a student

If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.

“A big motivation of mine for studying at St Andrews was the excellent research that is being carried out. As a biologist with the aim of going into research, it was important to me that the university had the facilities and people that would drive me in that direction. I love how personal the teaching style is here – students are welcome to chat to the lecturers and they are always happy to help.”

- Vienna, Austria

How it's taught

Teaching

The MBiol in Biology is taught through a combination of:

lectures

seminars

tutorials

practical classes

field work

research projects

Typical class sizes include:

First year: lectures 250 to 300 students, practicals 80 to 100 students

Second year: lectures 80 to 175 students, practicals 40 to 60 students

Third year: lectures 20 to 140 students, practicals 20 to 60 students

Fourth and fifth year: 5 to 25 students per module

The practical elements of the course taught in the laboratory and in the field enable you to learn the wide range of skills required of a modern biologist. Students are taught in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories. Alongside the development of practical biological skills, students are also given the opportunity to expand on their presentation and IT skills.

Open all

Assessment

First-year Biology modules are entirely assessed by coursework.

During second and third year, most Biology modules are assessed by an equal weighting of coursework and written examinations.

In fourth and fifth year, most Biology modules are entirely assessed by coursework, while some include written examinations in addition to coursework.

During the external placement in fourth year, you will be assessed jointly by the immediate supervisor in your host institute or company and a member of staff in the School of Biology.

Most examinations are held at the end of the semester during a dedicated exam diet and revision time is provided beforehand.

The School aims to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.

You will be taught by a research-led teaching team with expertise and knowledge of biology. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken appropriate training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all biology staff on the School of Biology website.

The University's services and support teams can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities, as well as many other difficulties and challenges students might face while studying.

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Biology alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take core modules during your first two years, and advanced modules during your third, fourth and fifth years (known as Honours).

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

First year

Biology 1: This module provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, evolution, cellular structures and fundamental processes.

Biology 2: This module provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal, behavioural and ecological aspects of life.

Second year

Biochemistry: a number of central metabolic pathways and their control are studied in detail, alongside examples of their importance in disease and recent metabolomic studies.

Cell Biology: This module will introduce cell biology and the diversity of cells across a range of Kingdoms, and how they form tissues and organisms, with a theme of structure and function and emphasis on practical experimental analysis.

Ecology: introduces essential concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity.

Evolutionary Biology: gives an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology.

Molecular Biology: provides an introduction to modern molecular biology, covering fundamental biological processes such as transcription, translation, and DNA replication and repair.

Research Methods in Biology: This module will help students develop essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on problem solving. It will provide an introduction to the scientific method, experimental design, understanding and presenting data.

Third year

In third year, you will continue to specialise in biology via a wide range of modules covering core topics. Modules that have been offered in previous years include:

Animal Behaviour: A Quantitative Approach

Ecosystems and Conservation

Evolution

Genes, Cells and Development

Quantitative Ecology

Fourth year

In fourth year, students typically undertake an independent 7- to 12-month research placement hosted by an external institute or company.

The external placement gives students the opportunity to practice and learn a range of scientific and generic skills, including experience in a working environment outside of St Andrews.

For biology students, this will be a 12-month research project, collecting data within a research group at St Andrews or in an external organisation (environmental company, conservation non-governmental organization or research institute). A research placement in an external organisation is subject to this being arranged and funded successfully by the student, facilitated by expertise in the School of Biology.

Fifth year

During fifth year, you will take advanced research-led modules in your chosen speciality subject to availability. Advanced modules offered in the past include:

Advanced Microscopy and Image Analysis – Seeing is Believing

Animal Cognition

Chromatin and Genome Stability

Complex Systems in Animal Behaviour

Evolutionary Developmental Biology

Marine Mammals and Humans

Molecular Virology

Science Communication of Biodiversity and Conservation

The CRISPR system for Antiviral Defence and Genome Engineering

Fees and funding

Scotland: Tuition fees are yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.

England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £10,050 (yet to be confirmed by the UK Government)

EU and overseas: £34,910

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Additional costs

All students need to cover the costs of a laboratory coat and dissection kit.

Students may be asked to contribute towards the costs of participation in optional residential field trip modules.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

In the fourth year of your programme, when you are on research placement, you will be charged your normal tuition fee for a full academic year.

For Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) funded students, a half tuition fee grant is available from SAAS.

For Student Loans Company (SLC) funded students, a half tuition fee loan is available from SLC.

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about

Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

SQA Highers

Standard entry grades:

AAAB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following:

Chemistry

Mathematics

Physics.

Minimum entry grades:

AABB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following:

Gateway entry grades:

Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.

GCE A-Levels

AAB, including Biology and one other science from the following:

ABB, including Biology and one other science from the following:

IB points

36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following subjects:

36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL5 in one of the following subjects:

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

SQA qualifications

SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

Computing science

Geography

Applications of Mathematics

Psychology.

GCSE qualifications

GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

Computing Science

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University's entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Students must have studied Biology (or Human Biology) at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications over and above the stated minimum requirements.

Alternative study options

Direct entry to second year

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.

Gateway programmes

Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.

Study abroad

Biology students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to apply to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.

Work abroad

Completing a work placement abroad is a good opportunity to gain work experience in another culture or language and to enhance valuable skill sets. As part of specific degree programmes in biology, you may apply to undertake a work placement abroad for credit.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Joint Honours degrees

You can also take Biology as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.

UCAS code C761: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Chemistry

UCAS code F899: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Computer Science

UCAS code CFC6: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Earth Sciences

UCAS code CL11: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Economics

UCAS code CF18: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Geography

UCAS code CG11: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Mathematics

UCAS code CV16: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Philosophy

UCAS code CC18: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Psychology

UCAS code CG13: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Statistics

UCAS code F896: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Sustainable Development

"With" degrees

You can take Biology as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Biology:

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with Arabic - UCAS code CT16

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French - UCAS code CCR1

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology with Biology - UCAS code C8C1

Biology with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code C1R1

"With" degrees taken with French are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.

Graduates from the School of Biology have a wide range of skills sought by employers:

Laboratory and field data collection

Data handling and presentation

Quantitative skills

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Project design

Teamwork

Planning, organisation and time management

Written and oral communication skills

Graduates from the School of Biology are in high demand and are keenly sought after by institutions including the government, universities, research centres and major companies. Those who take an Integrated Masters degree receive advanced research training and are prepared for a career within the scientific sector.

Graduates from the School of Biology have gone on to find success in a wide variety of careers, including:

Researchers in academia

Researchers and advisers in government

Conservationists

Consultant ecologists

Marine mammal scientists

Researchers in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries

Clinical scientists

Advisers, researchers and managers in the National Health Service (NHS)

Forensic scientists

Professional biologists in higher education

Museum curators

School teachers

Science communicators

Beyond biology, recent graduates have gained employment in a wide variety of business sectors such as marketing and finance. Others have gone on to study for a wide range of Masters and PhD programmes in the UK and overseas.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.

Contact us

+44 (0)1334 46 3602Email

bioadmissions@st-andrews.ac.uk Address

Biomedical Sciences Research Complex

North Haugh

St Andrews

KY16 9ST

School of Biology website

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official statistics about higher education courses taken from national surveys and data collected from universities and colleges about all their students. You can use this data to compare information for different degree programmes to help you make a decision about what and where to study.

Start your journey

Legal notices

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.

Page last updated: 23 June 2026

Admissions

St Katharine's West

The Scores

KY16 9AX

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2150

Ask Admissions

Admissions policy

Search for modules

Programme specifications

Programme requirements

© 2026 The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532

Cookie preferences

Accessibility statement

Terms and conditions

Website help

Message from Sandy

You are speaking withSandy

Minimise chat window

院校只公布555–5*55範圍；達上界並滿足已表示條件才可符合，請向院校確認

院校原句指定科至少5；數學依本校核心及延伸部分規定

保留舊DSE英文數字與學校條件；2027英語豁免對應未列，可能須IELTS等，請向院校確認

院校未公布 DSE 對應等級，請向院校確認。

請查看下方完整入學要求原文，或向院校確認。