Aberystwyth University

BSc Plant Biology

Aberystwyth UniversityAberystwyth, United Kingdom

Course overview

Why study

Plant Biology at Aberystwyth University? BSc Plant Biology will provide you with real-life opportunities to challenge your knowledge and think creatively. You will benefit from many fieldwork opportunities looking at both environmental and agricultural scenarios.

At Aberystwyth, you will be studying in an area rich in a variety of stunning landscapes and beautiful habitats, including marine, moorland, mountain, woodland and grassland ecosystems, offering a fabulous variety of fieldwork and recreational opportunities. Many nature reserves are within easy reach, including Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons National Parks. Our world-class facilities include botany gardens with a wide range of temperate and tropical plants, an extensive range of growth rooms and glasshouses, a museum of historic botanical specimens, and plant genetic resources collections and databases.

We are also home to the National Plant Phenomics Centre, giving you the possibility of engaging with our world-leading plant breeding programmes. Aberystwyth also has its very own and unique ‘Phyte Club’ where students from across the University assemble weekly to botanise at our Botanical Garden, in horticultural glasshouses and the field. The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active.

Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Department has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Key highlights

  • Extensive fieldwork across environmental and agricultural scenarios
  • Botany gardens with temperate and tropical plants, growth rooms and glasshouses
  • Home to the National Plant Phenomics Centre and plant breeding programmes
  • Museum of historic botanical specimens and plant genetic resources collections
  • Weekly Phyte Club botanising in gardens, glasshouses and the field
  • Taught mainly by research-active, PhD-qualified staff

Entry requirements

  • UCAS tariff points: 104-120 — UCAS Tariff 120 - 104 A Levels BBB-BCC with B in Biology GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4): English or Welsh, Science and Mathematics BTEC National Diploma: DDD-DDM in a specified subject International Baccalaureate:…
  • UCAS tariff points: 48 — UCAS Tariff 48 A Levels Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A-Levels or BTEC diploma) in subject areas other than biological science, and to mature-aged candidates…
  • A-level: BBB-BCC — to include with B in Biology
  • GCSE: C/4 — to include English
  • BTEC: DDD-DDM — to include in a specified subject; BTEC National Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate: 28-30 — to include with 5 points in Biology at High

Scholarships

  • Aberystwyth Regional Scholarships

    Students will be eligible for a £2,000 reduction in tuition fees for each year of their studies at Aberystwyth University.

    Up to £2,000

  • Caru Aber International Award

    Caru Aber International Award gives a £1,000 tuition fee discount (for every year of study) to any international fee-paying students who spent a period of time studying with us as an associate student.

    Up to £1,000

  • International Accommodation Award

    This award means that for students who choose to live in our on-campus Cwrt Mawr housing, there is no cost for the first year of study.

  • International Family Award

    International Family Award – giving you a £1,000 reduction in tuition fees for every year of your studies.

    Up to £1,000

  • Margaret Evelyn “Lynne” Williams Bursary

    The Bursary is worth £500 during the first year of study and a maximum of two awards will be available each year.

    Up to £500

  • Mathematics Department Award

    Up to £500 a year.

  • Music Scholarships

    £650 a year Music Scholarships are open to UK and international applicants.

    Up to £650

  • Waldo Williams Scholarship

    Successful applicants could receive up to £500 in their first year.

  • Welsh Medium Study Bursary

    Up to £400 a year - for following part or all of your course through the medium of Welsh.

Careers this course leads to

  • Plant scientist
  • Botanist
  • Plant breeder
  • Agronomist
  • Ecologist
  • Conservation officer

Cost of study

UK/Home: £9,790 per year | International: £21,875 per year

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Aberystwyth University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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