Where can I get more information about application procedures, visit days and degree schemes?

For information on how to apply, please see click here.

"Open Days" are for general visitors. "Visit Days" are specifically for people who have made applications through UCAS and are by invitation. We do not normally arrange any meetings with staff or tours outside of Open Days and Visit Days. However, it is possible to visit the university at any other time using a self-guided tour. You can download the self guided tour from the website (see second pale blue box on the page).  For details, please click here.

For more specific information about our degree schemes, you can request a brochure by emailing biosciences@swansea.ac.uk

For specific details on each of our degree schemes, please click here.

What are A-level entry requirements for degree schemes in the Biological Sciences?

We require three A-levels for entry into degree schemes in the Biological Sciences.

A-level subjects must include Biology. A-level Human Biology instead of A-level Biology is acceptable.

The other two A-level subjects (aside from Biology) can be science subjects or not (it is not a requirement); however, we would advise that science subjects would mean better preparation for studying Biological Sciences undergraduate degree schemes.

What are typical offers?

For 2011 entry, typical conditional offers will be ABB or equivalent for 3 A-levels. The offer will depend on the applicant’s academic portfolio and predicted grades, and are individually tailored.

Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted as equivalent to an A-level (a pass is an ‘A’ grade) and included in the offer.

Are qualifications other than A-levels considered?

We may consider other qualifications if they are Science-based, if they are equivalent to A-levels, and if the content of the qualification include significant amounts of Biology (i.e., equivalent to A-level Biology). Qualifications that we will typically consider are (with typical, expected grades):

• German Abitur (1.8-2.5)
• International Baccalaureate (overall minimum 33 points to include 5 from Higher Level Biology)
• European Baccalaureate  (minimum 77%)
• French Baccalaureate (Pass with 12 or 14 points)
• Irish Leaving Certificate (320 ucas points to include Biology grade A)
• Scottish Highers (A & B grades equivalent to English A-levels)

Other qualifications will be evaluated on an individual basis, but the following are typical:

• Advanced Diploma (Creativity/Construction/Engineering/IT/Soc, Health&Dev) will only be considered if in combination with A-level Biology
• Access to Higher Education will be considered if it is science-based (Access to Science) and the course content includes Biology equivalent to A-level.
• BTEC qualifications are not accepted on their own.  BTEC qualifications (it also depends on the type of BTEC) may be considered only if in combination with A-Levels (at least one A-level is required, and A-level Biology is normally required).  Since BTEC courses are often not directly relevant to science-based Biology, Marine Biology or Zoology, we expect Distinction grades to demonstrate academic ability.

There may be other qualifications, for example, overseas qualifications, that are not listed above but that we may consider – these are evaluated on an individual basis.

Are there any bursaries or scholarships?

A range of bursaries and scholarships is available to help students with the costs of living and studying at University. Click here for full details of Swansea University bursaries and scholarships.

Excellence Bursaries will automatically be awarded by the University to all students who achieve 3 A grades at A level or equivalent, plus 5  A or A* at GCSE (or equivalent), and who accepted their offer from Swansea University as their firm choice (CF or UF).  These are worth £3000 over 2 years (£1500 payable in the first year and £1500 in the second year). In order to receive the second instalment of the award in their second year students must achieve overall average of 60% in first year marks.

A limited number of School Bursaries from SOTEAS will be awarded to students not qualifying for University Excellence Bursaries but who achieve a minimum of AAB grade results from three A levels or equivalent and who accepted their offer from Swansea University as their firm choice (CF or UF). These are worth £1000, payable at the start of the second semester upon successful completion of the first semester. If there are more eligible candidates than the number of bursaries, other criteria will be taken into account, including academic achievement and personal circumstances.

Who do I contact if I am interested in Biochemistry or Genetics?

For Genetics and/or Biochemistry please contact the School of Medicine, Dr Hugh Jones 01792 (29) 5668 D.H.Jones@swansea.ac.uk