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Direct entry to second year Biology BSc (Hons) 2022 entry

It is possible for students applying for the single Honours BSc in Biology to enter directly into the second year of study, meaning you will complete your degree in only three years instead of four.

This option is offered to students with excellent Advanced Higher, A-Level or International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Students who enter directly into second year will take modules required by the Biology BSc programme from the second year on, bypassing first-year modules entirely. 

Direct entry students will have the opportunity to study abroad during their second year of study.

To find out more information, or to discuss the possibility of direct entry to second year, please contact the School of Biology. 

Joint degree options

Direct entry into second year is also possible for the following joint Honours degrees:

In taking a joint degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects. Find out more about joint degrees.

The course information below is for single Honours direct entry only. For more information about direct entry to joint degrees, please contact Admissions at admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Biology BSc

Contact

School of Biology
University of St Andrews
Biomedical Sciences Research Complex
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3401
Email: biology@st-andrews.ac.uk

School of Biology

Key information

UCAS code

C100

Course type

Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Three years full time

  • Start date: 5 September 2022
  • End date: 30 June 2025

Entry requirements

These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry.

    • Advanced Highers: AB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following:
      • Chemistry
      • Mathematics
      • Physics. 
    • Highers: AAAB 

    • AAA, including Biology and one other science from the following: 
      • Chemistry
      • Mathematics
      • Physics.

    • 38, including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following:
      • Chemistry
      • Mathematics
      • Physics. 

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

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 entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

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. Find out more about English language requirements.

How to apply

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

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

General entry requirements

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

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

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing science
    • Geography
    • Lifeskills Mathematics (A grade)
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.

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

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing Science
    • Geography
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.

Other qualifications

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.