BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology and Genetics with a Placement Year

After recent Nobel Prizes for breakthroughs in genome editing and mRNA vaccines, there’s never been a more exciting time to study Molecular Biology and Genetics. At UEA, this degree offers you a solid foundation in the core principles of biology, while giving you the flexibility to explore and specialise in the areas of molecular biology or genetics that inspire you most. Whether you’re drawn to medical genetics, biotechnology, or evolutionary biology — or interested in human health and disease, microbial or plant molecular biology, or cellular signalling — this course will set you on the path to a rewarding future in science.

In year three, you’ll undertake a 9–12-month placement in an area of your choice, offering you invaluable real-world experience to greatly enhance your employability. The School of Biological Sciences brings a strong research-led ethos to this course. Many of our academics are actively engaged in cutting-edge research, covering a broad spectrum from biochemical, molecular, and cellular biology to ecological interactions and evolutionary processes.

This includes both fundamental science aimed at deepening our understanding of biological principles, and applied research tackling real-world challenges — such as protein structure and microbial energetics, human disease studies, and conservation biology. You'll benefit directly from this expertise, with research feeding into your learning at every stage.