How to Apply to Biology at Flinders University: No Stand-Alone Biology Bachelor's, but a Molecular Biology Major in the Bachelor of Science and Separate Science Degrees in Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour and Biodiversity and Conservation, Entry and Prerequisites for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Students

Flinders University's main campus is Bedford Park in Adelaide, South Australia. Flinders has no degree called "Biology": the biology options sit in the College of Science and Engineering, partly as a major in the Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology) and partly as separately named science degrees (Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour, Biodiversity and Conservation). This guide describes them, then the shared 2027 entry points for Australian domestic applicants, international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students. Medical Science, nursing, medicine and other health degrees are outside this guide; see the relevant study areas on Flinders' website.

1. The biology-related degrees

• Molecular Biology major in the Bachelor of Science (major page): three years full-time on campus at Bedford Park, March and July starts, CRICOS 055237B, domestic guaranteed ATAR 65. Flinders says you study DNA, RNA and proteins, combining genetics, cell biology, microbiology, protein science, genomics, biochemistry and biotechnology with laboratory work, with career directions in biomedical research, diagnostics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and public health, or further honours, medicine or postgraduate study. Minors include Microbiology, Plant Science, Aquaculture, Animal Behaviour, Biodiversity and Conservation, and Coasts & Oceans.
• Molecular Biology major in Advanced Science: three years full-time, CRICOS 118382A, domestic guaranteed ATAR 90, with embedded research projects in years two and three. The page also lists "Molecular Biology - pathway to Honours" (3+1 years, domestic ATAR 80) and "Advanced Science - pathway to Honours" (ATAR 95); on the pages used these show domestic information only, so whether international students can take them is not given; ask admissions. The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (one year) page says you can enter after a Flinders science degree or from another university and complete a research thesis.
• Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology): three years full-time, CRICOS 074771M, domestic ATAR 70. Flinders says it covers genetics, microbiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics. First-year topics include Evolution of Biological Diversity, Molecular Basis of Life, Introduction to Biotechnology, Chemistry and Biostatistics; second year includes Genetics and Evolution, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Foundations in Microbiology plus a 9-unit minor; third year includes Protein to Proteome, DNA to Genome, Bioinformatics and BioBusiness, with a research project, industry practicum or Science Connect as the final option. Flinders adds that you may work alongside researchers at Flinders Medical Centre.
• Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology): three years full-time, CRICOS 033068G, domestic ATAR 75. Flinders says it combines fieldwork, lab experience and research-led teaching, such as monitoring reefs, surveying marine wildlife and analysing environmental data; in third year there is a research project or a 6-week industry-based placement option.
• Bachelor of Science (Animal Behaviour): three years full-time, CRICOS 074770A, domestic ATAR 70. Second year includes Animal Handling and Husbandry and Foundations of Animal Behaviour; third year offers a 6-week industry-based practicum as an option.
• Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity and Conservation): three years full-time, CRICOS 039816E, domestic ATAR 75, taught at Bedford Park and the City campus. Third-year topics include Restoration Ecology, Caring as Country: Indigenous Environmental Management, Conservation and Ecological Genetics and Global Climate Change, with a 6-week industry placement among the options.
• Flinders also offers a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) and a Bachelor of Science (Forensic and Analytical Science) (page; a Forensic Biology or Forensic Chemistry major in years two and three; prerequisite SACE Stage 2 Chemistry or equivalent); these are not covered in detail.

2. How admission works and when you pick the major

• Flinders says Science has a common first year: five core topics (Molecular Basis of Life, Chemistry, Mathematics, Communicating STEM, Coding for Science) plus three options from a pool of ten (such as Physics, Biostatistics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Biological Diversity); you choose a specialisation, major and minors after first year. So you apply to the Science degree (or Advanced Science), not to "Biology" alone. Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour and Biodiversity and Conservation are separately named degrees whose first year follows that degree, so you apply to the degree itself.
• The Biotechnology FAQ says chemistry is not a prerequisite but underpins many biotechnology processes; if you studied Year 12 chemistry you can swap General Chemistry for other first-year options.
• Major requirements: Advanced Science students must meet topic requisites in first year before a major or minor; whether the Science Molecular Biology major has a grade threshold is not given on the pages used; check the Handbook or ask admissions. The Advanced Science page itself is inconsistent: one example for year two lists a "Biology" major, but the major list shows only Chemistry, Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Physics, Sustainability and Wireless Systems Security (the Advanced Science page says 6 majors, the Science page 7); ask admissions.

3. Prerequisites

• Bachelor of Science (including the Molecular Biology major), Advanced Science, Biotechnology, Marine Biology and Animal Behaviour: "Prerequisites: None; Assumed knowledge: None". The Science FAQ says you can succeed without Year 12 science because first-year topics build the foundation; the Advanced Science FAQ says you need a strong foundation in Year 12 sciences or equivalent.
• Biodiversity and Conservation: no prerequisites; assumed knowledge says Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry to SACE Stage 1 is desirable but not assumed.
• How Year 12 subjects map to A-Level, AP, IB or Gaokao subjects is not given on the pages used; ask admissions.

4. Application timing and method for 2027 entry

• Start dates are March and July; the course pages say deferral is possible. International closing dates are not given on the pages used; check the international how-to-apply page, which warns that some courses have limited places and may close without notice.
• Domestic applicants apply through the South Australian centre SATAC. SATAC codes listed on the course pages: Science 234511; Molecular Biology major 245791 (honours pathway 245801); Advanced Science 245761; Advanced Science honours pathway 245271; Biotechnology 234521; Marine Biology 234301; Animal Behaviour 234211; Biodiversity and Conservation 234221 (the pages show different offer cycles; use the current SATAC listing). Transfer deadlines are in section 8.
• International applicants can apply directly to Flinders online or through an authorised agent. Flinders lists countries whose citizens must apply through a registered agent (list); China does not appear in the list as read, but the list is long and organised in columns, so check the page. Certified documents are uploaded as PDF, JPEG, TIF or GIF, and an acknowledgement email carries your application number.

5. Australian domestic applicants

• Entry indicators on the course pages: Science guaranteed ATAR 65, STAT 150, GPA 4.0, TAFE/VET Certificate IV or above; Advanced Science ATAR 90, STAT 170, GPA 5.0, Diploma or above; Biotechnology ATAR 70, STAT 165, GPA 4.5, Certificate IV or above; Animal Behaviour the same (70/165/4.5); Marine Biology and Biodiversity and Conservation ATAR 75, STAT 165, GPA 4.5, Certificate IV or above. Applicants without an ATAR can use STAT, Flinders Foundation Studies, TAFE/VET or adult-entry routes.
• The Science page prints Semester 1 2026 ATAR data (covering a suite of courses, not just one major): highest, median and lowest ATAR-based offers were ATAR 97.80, 74.00 and 54.50, and Selection Rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) 99.95, 77.05 and 60.00.
• Fees: indicative 2027 Commonwealth-supported annual fees on the course pages are A$10,898 for Science, Advanced Science, Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour and Biodiversity and Conservation; the one-year Honours is A$9,537. Lab coats (about A$40) and safety glasses (about A$10) are extra.

6. International applicants

• English: the course pages show IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 6.0 speaking and 6.0 writing and Pearson overall 50. The English requirements page gives the general undergraduate requirement as IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 speaking and writing, TOEFL iBT 72 (18 speaking, 18 writing) and PTE 50 overall (50 speaking and writing); some courses such as Exercise Science, Human Nutrition and Psychology need more, and the biology-related degrees here are not in that list. Flinders also accepts an approved secondary or tertiary qualification taught in English in a country where English is the official or main language (for up to overall IELTS 6.5, evidence no more than five years old) or a pre-course English program from an approved ELICOS provider; IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
• Academic level: the minimum entry for overseas secondary qualifications is comparable to ATAR 60, and some programs need more; the equivalency table (section 7) converts Gaokao and other qualifications. If you fall short, Flinders University Academy offers diplomas, foundation and English programs leading into the degree.
• International students cannot study part-time or online (Flinders cites visa conditions). On a student visa (subclass 500) you may work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session.
• Tuition: the 2027 international commencing tuition fee schedule (updated August 2026) lists A$45,600 for Science, Advanced Science, Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour, Biodiversity and Conservation and Science (Honours), with fees rising each year of study; the course pages instead show an annual indicative fee of A$43,500 labelled 2026. Flinders says the approved schedule prevails if they differ; check the international fees page. Flinders also says science lab classes need a lab coat (about A$40) and safety glasses (about A$10).
• International academic scholarships (Flinders page): the Vice-Chancellor Excellence Scholarship - 50% off tuition for the course, undergraduate applicants need an equivalent of ATAR 95 or above, shortlisted applicants submit a video; the Global Scholarship - 25%, for an equivalent ATAR of 70.00 to 79.95 and exceeding the course minimum by 5 points; the Global Excellence Scholarship - 30%, for an equivalent ATAR of 80.00 or above; the Kickstart Scholarship - 20% for new full-fee international coursework students. Flinders says there is no separate application except the Vice-Chancellor scholarship form; recipients are told in the offer letter. The page shows "Semester 1, 2027 - to be confirmed" for the deadline and also a "2026 intake" tab, so check which year applies. Students transferring in with more than one third of the course in credit are not eligible.

7. Applicants from China

• Flinders' equivalency table on the undergraduate entry requirements page maps Gaokao percentages to ATAR: 55% = ATAR 60, 59% = 65, 60% = 70, 63% = 75, 65% = 80, 70% = 85, 75% = 90, 80% = 95. By that table the Science degree (ATAR 65) corresponds to Gaokao 59%, Biotechnology and Animal Behaviour (70) to 60%, Marine Biology and Biodiversity and Conservation (75) to 63% and Advanced Science (90) to 75%. What the percentage is calculated on (full mark, subjects) is not explained; ask admissions.
• Prerequisites: these degrees list none (Biodiversity and Conservation adds that SACE Stage 1 Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry is desirable but not assumed); how Chinese senior-high subjects map is not given on the pages used; ask admissions.
• High-school diploma plus foundation: Flinders University Academy offers diplomas, foundation and English programs; which program leads into a biology-related degree is not given on the pages used.
• Flinders has a dedicated China site (china.flinders.edu.au), which was not used for this guide; check it for interviews, document authentication and other China-specific notes.

8. Transfer students and credit

• Higher education transfer: Flinders says that with at least one full-time-equivalent semester you can transfer on GPA, applying through SATAC (current Flinders students use internal transfer). It says Semester 1 applications close in November and mid-year intakes close earlier; no year is printed, so check it applies to 2027. The GPA indicators on the course pages are 4.0 for Science and 5.0 for Advanced Science. International students on a student visa have specific transfer procedures and should check Home Affairs rules first.
• Credit transfer: international applicants should declare possible credit in their application so it is assessed at offer, with the study planner and Confirmation of Enrolment length reflecting it; provide official transcripts, subject descriptions from the time you studied (contact hours, assessment, language, final score) and translations. Minimum credit for TAFE/VET: Certificate IV 4.5 units, Diploma 9, Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree 13.5 (4.5 units = one topic; up to 36 units toward a three-year degree). Flinders warns that students holding certain Flinders scholarships lose them if they accept credit after the offer.
• Whether specific biology and chemistry core topics can be credited is not given on the pages used; use the credit database or ask the College.

9. Accreditation, projects and placements

• Accreditation: the pages read for Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour and Biodiversity and Conservation state no professional accreditation; check the course pages.
• Projects and placements: Biotechnology offers a research project, industry practicum or Science Connect in third year; Marine Biology, Animal Behaviour and Biodiversity and Conservation list a 6-week industry placement or research project among third-year options; Advanced Science has two research projects. The course pages show "Practical experience: Available".
• Careers listed by Flinders (examples): biotechnologist, clinical research associate, microbiologist, regulatory affairs officer, environmental scientist and bioinformatics research scientist.

10. Please check

Entry scores, fees and dates here come from the Flinders pages read in October 2026; where a page prints no year, check that it applies to 2027 entry. International closing dates, subject mapping for other curricula and China-specific notes are not given on the pages used; please rely on Flinders' website and admissions office.