How to Apply to Biology at Swansea University: Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Ecology and Conservation, and the Medical School’s Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology and Immunology Degrees on the Singleton Park Campus, Most With Optional Foundation, Year Abroad or Placement Years, and Entry Requirements for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Year 2 Applicants

Swansea University teaches its biological science degrees on the Singleton Park Campus. The website places them in two groups: Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Ecology and Conservation, and Biological Science with deferred choice of specialisation sit under Biosciences, Geography and Physics in the course directory; Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology and Immunology sit under Medicine, and their course pages say they are taught in Swansea’s Medical School. This guide sets out what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Swansea’s official information, for UK applicants, international applicants (including students at high schools in China) and students who want to join Year 2.

1. The degrees and how you are admitted

• Five BSc degrees in Biosciences: Biology (three years, C104); Zoology (C300); Marine Biology (C160); Ecology and Conservation (C1C3); and Biological Science with deferred choice of specialisation (C100). Apart from the deferred-choice course, each has four-year versions with a Foundation Year (Biology C101, Zoology C30F, Marine Biology C16F, Ecology and Conservation C1CF), a Year Abroad (C106, C301, C107, C1CA), a Year in Industry (C152, C384, C424, C1CI) or a Year in Applied Research (C14R, C30R, C16R, C1CR); the deferred-choice course lists a three-year version and a four-year version with a Year Abroad (C105). The course pages do not list an MSci or other integrated master’s for these courses.
• Deferred choice: the website says this course covers Biology, Zoology and Marine Biology in Year 1 and at the end of Year 1 you can transfer to one of the Biology, Zoology or Marine Biology courses before Year 2. The grades required for that transfer are not given on the course page; ask admissions.
• Three Medical School science degrees: Biochemistry BSc (three years, C700) and MSci (four years, C701); Genetics BSc (C400) and MSci (C401); Microbiology and Immunology BSc (C550) and MSci (C55M). Each also has Foundation, Year Abroad, Year in Industry and five-year integrated-master’s versions (for example Biochemistry Foundation C702 and Year in Industry C70P; Genetics Foundation C402 and Year in Industry C40P; Microbiology and Immunology Foundation C55F and Year in Industry C55P); the full code lists are on the course pages.
• You apply to a specific course by UCAS code (or directly, for international applicants). Whether you can switch between Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology and Ecology and Conservation after entry is not given on the course pages; ask admissions.
• Year 1 (shared by the five Biosciences courses): compulsory 20-credit modules are Cellular & Microbial Biology; Becoming a Scientist; Ecology and Behaviour; Evolution and Genetics; and Life in the Oceans, plus 20 credits from Animal and Plant Diversity (English or Welsh version). Courses diverge from Year 2: Biology has a residential plant-ecology field course in Year 2 and lets you specialise in microbiology, whole-organism biology or community biology and conservation; Zoology has a residential zoology field course in Year 2; Marine Biology has substantial fieldwork on local shores and aboard the research vessel R.V. Mary Anning in Year 2; Ecology and Conservation has a residential plant-ecology field course in Year 1 and international field courses to Borneo (Malaysia) and the Red Sea (Egypt) in Year 3. Every course ends with a research project in Year 3.
• Year 1 of the Medical School degrees: Biochemistry includes Genetics, Genomics & Evolution, Organic and Analytical Chemistry: an Introduction for Life Sciences, Introductory Biochemistry, Human Physiology and Cell Biology; Genetics includes Genetics, Genomics & Evolution, Population Genomics and Clinical Applications, Introductory Biochemistry, Human Physiology and Cell Biology. Both offer a 40-credit Capstone Project in Year 3. Check the course pages for the exact compulsory and optional modules.
• Year Abroad, Year in Industry and Year in Applied Research: the website lists Year Abroad locations such as America, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Australia and South Korea, says places are limited and competitive, and says students who do not get one move to the standard version. The Year in Industry can be in the UK or overseas; the university advocates paid placements, which average over £20,000, and unpaid ones are considered case by case. The Year in Applied Research can be in a research group, on exchange with partners at Exeter or Aberystwyth, or linked with industry.
• Accreditation: the Biology, Biological Science with deferred choice, Zoology and Marine Biology course pages say the programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. The Ecology and Conservation, Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology and Immunology pages used for this guide do not mention accreditation; ask admissions.
• Style of study: the Biosciences pages stress fieldwork and laboratory work together, and say you can lean towards the field or the lab; the Medical School pages say teaching draws on the Medical School’s research and mention facilities such as chromatography, mass spectrometry and DNA and protein analysis equipment.

2. Prerequisites: A-Level, IB and other qualifications

These are the typical offers on the official course pages for September 2027 entry; the pages say they are a guide and offers are tailored to the applicant.

Course	Typical A-Level offer	IB
Biology, Zoology, Marine Biology, Ecology and Conservation, Biological Science with deferred choice (BSc, including Year Abroad, Industry and Applied Research versions)	ABB–BBB including A-Level Biology or Human Biology	32 points including Biology at HL 5 or SL 6
The same courses with a Foundation Year	CDD–DDD	28 points, with GCSE Science/Biology B/6
Biochemistry BSc/MSci (C700, C701 and others)	AAB–BCC including A-Level Chemistry (grade B)	32 points including Chemistry at HL 6
Genetics BSc/MSci (C400, C401 and others)	AAB–BCC including A-Level Biology (grade B)	32 points including Biology at HL 6 (another entry on the page adds “plus one other STEM”)
Microbiology and Immunology BSc/MSci (C550, C55M and others)	AAB–BCC including A-Level Biology	32 points including Biology at HL 6

• BTEC: for the Biosciences courses DDD in Applied Science, Countryside Management Environmental Sustainability, or BTEC Level 3 Nationals / City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Countryside Management; for the Medical School courses D*DD including optional Level 3 modules in the relevant subject (Chemistry for Biochemistry, Biology for Genetics); see each page for the exact wording. Access to HE: for the Biosciences courses at least 24 Distinctions (3 of them in Biology) and 15 Merits; for Biochemistry and Genetics, 27 Distinctions, 15 Merits and 3 Passes with 15 credits from Chemistry (Biochemistry) or Biology (Genetics) courses.
• T Levels: the Biology page says a Distinction including A-Level Biology/Human Biology at grade B; the deferred-choice and Marine Biology pages say “N/A”; the Medical School pages say a Distinction in the T Level in Science (laboratory sciences specialism). Mixed qualifications: 120 UCAS tariff points from the three highest qualifications, including 40 in the relevant subject, for the Biosciences courses; 104–136 points including 40 in A-Level Chemistry (Biochemistry) or Biology (Genetics).
• Foundation Year: CDD–DDD for the Biosciences courses (BTEC DMM, Access at least 27 Merits, mixed qualifications 96 points); CCD for the Biochemistry Foundation (C702) and CCC–CCD for the Genetics and Microbiology and Immunology Foundation versions, and the Biochemistry and Genetics pages also ask for grade C in the relevant subject (Chemistry or Biology).
• A contradiction on the website: the Genetics page gives the IB as “32 including 6 at Higher Level Biology” in one entry and “32 including a minimum of 6 at Higher Level Biology, plus one other STEM” in another without saying which version each belongs to; ask admissions which applies to the version you choose.
• Entrance tests and interviews: the biological science course pages used for this guide do not mention an admissions test or interview (the Biochemistry page mentions an interview only for study through the medium of Welsh).
• English: the Biochemistry and Genetics pages give IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component; the Microbiology and Immunology page gives 6.0 (5.5 in each component) for most versions and 6.5 for one version without saying which; the Biosciences pages do not list an IELTS score, and the general page says most departments ask for IELTS 6.0 at undergraduate level.

How and when to apply

• UCAS: full-time undergraduate applications go through UCAS; Swansea’s UCAS institution name and code is SWAN S93 and the campus code can be left blank. The application-process page gives 14 January 2026 at 18:00 as the deadline for courses starting in 2026 (the previous cycle) and says most courses will still consider later applications; check the UCAS website for the deadline for 2027 entry. The same page says full-time undergraduates transferring from another university also apply through UCAS.
• International applicants can apply directly to the university through the Learner Gateway application portal, free of charge.
• The university’s own deadlines (September 2027 entry): Home applicants 6 October 2027; international applicants 27 August 2027. The international deposit deadline is printed as “Wednesday, 3rd September 2027”, but 3 September 2027 is a Friday, so the date and weekday do not match; confirm with the university. The course page also warns that courses close earlier than the listed deadline once places are full, so apply early.
• Deferred entry: the website says most undergraduate courses can consider deferred entry (more competitive courses such as graduate-entry Medicine are excepted); apply through UCAS for the following year, or ask for deferral during the application cycle.
• Under 18 at entry: you and a parent or guardian must sign a declaration and the university must give formal clearance before you turn 18; the university emails the details after you apply.

UK (Home) applicants

• The university guarantees that every UK (Home) undergraduate applicant studying the qualifications required for the chosen course will receive a conditional offer. The guarantee applies only to Home applicants and not to professional courses (the guaranteed-offers FAQ lists the ineligible courses). The university uses prior achievement, personal statement, predicted grades, reference and subject mix to set the terms.
• Each course page lists conditions for A-Level, BTEC, Access to HE, T Level (on most science course pages “N/A” or a Distinction including a relevant subject), mixed qualifications (UCAS tariff points) and the IB; see the tables above. The course pages say the requirements are “your guide, not your barrier” and that offers are tailored to the applicant.
• Fee status: the website says only certain categories of student are charged the Home fee, depending on nationality, immigration status and residence history; contact admissions if unsure. Differences between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland applicants in fees and funding are not given on the course pages used for this guide; check the tuition-fee page and your home-nation student finance body.

International applicants

• Qualifications: the international entry-requirements page lists, country by country, the minimum standard for first-year entry, and individual courses may ask for more; the course pages give typical offers in A-Level and IB terms. For other countries’ qualifications, use the country table on the website.
• English: the general page says most departments ask for IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) at undergraduate level, with exceptions, and the course page and offer letter prevail; if you fall short you can take a pre-sessional course at English Language Training Services (ELTS). Some students on a Student visa must use a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
• Qualification check: international applicants may be asked to verify their qualifications through the university’s Qualification Check platform, usually for a fee of £40; your offer letter has the details.
• Deposit and CAS: international students pay a minimum deposit of £4,000 to secure a place and receive the CAS statement (exceptions apply; see the deposit FAQ). Certificates, transcripts, references and English results are handled according to the conditions in your offer.
• ATAS: the website says some international students on full-time science and engineering-related courses need an ATAS certificate before applying for a Student visa, with instructions in the offer letter; whether it applies to this course is not given on the course pages used for this guide, so rely on your offer letter.
• Accommodation: new international students who apply before 30 July, hold a firm offer for a full-time course and apply for accommodation are guaranteed a place in university accommodation (the page shows no year; check the rule for 2027).
• International pathway (The College): applicants who do not meet direct-entry requirements can apply to The College, Swansea University, which offers undergraduate Foundation and International Year One programmes; the international entry-requirements page points applicants who want a foundation or pathway course to The College. The College’s undergraduate list includes “Biochemistry and Genetics” and “Science” pathways; which Swansea courses they lead to, and whether they lead to the course in this guide, is not given on the pages used for this guide, so check The College’s pages.

Applicants from China

• Gaokao: for Chinese qualifications the international entry-requirements page lists the Gaokao at 70%–75% overall, the first year of an undergraduate degree at a Chinese university at 60%, and the Zhuanke graduation certificate at 60%–75%. That is the page’s general minimum for first-year entry; for these biology degrees, whether any subject-level Gaokao scores are required is not given, so ask admissions.
• How to apply: the China page says you can apply through the Learner Gateway portal and must send transcripts and a personal statement; offers can take up to 15 days to process. The page says more than 700 Chinese students currently study at Swansea and that regional representatives can help applicants.
• The College’s requirements for Chinese applicants: Foundation of 2 semesters (3 where available) after Senior Middle 2; 1 semester after Senior Middle 3 with a 60% average; Huikao holders may be considered for an accelerated Foundation; engineering and science Foundation also asks for 70% in mathematics. International Year One: Senior Middle 3 average of 65% for management, economics and accounting, and 75%–80% including relevant subjects such as mathematics for other pathways.
• Language and documents: a separate IELTS requirement, Huikao documents or accredited-agency requirement for Chinese applicants is not given on the pages used for this guide; rely on the course page and offer letter and confirm with admissions. The university also has a Chinese-language website.

Fees

• Home fee: the website says that from 2026/27 the fee cap for full-time undergraduate courses in England and Wales rises and Swansea’s fee is adjusted to £9,790; every version on the biological science course pages shows £9,790 for both September 2026 and September 2027 entry, and the maximum tuition-fee loan is the same.
• International fee: for the five Biosciences courses (all versions) the first-year fee is £23,100 for September 2026 entry and £24,250 for September 2027 entry; for the Medical School’s Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology and Immunology it is £23,900 for September 2026 entry and £25,100 for September 2027 entry.
• The website says international fees rise by 3% for each subsequent year and that Home fees may change in line with the maximum set by the Welsh Government. On the tuition-fees page, a Year in Industry or Year in Applied Research is charged at 20% of the standard fee and a Year Abroad at 15%.

Scholarships

• International Excellence Scholarships: a tuition discount of up to £5,000 in the first year; undergraduates who receive the full £5,000 and reach a first-year average of 70% receive a further £2,000 in the second year. You must already hold an offer, and there are separate forms for “China” and “Rest of the World” by country of ordinary residence. The page currently open is for January and March 2027 entry, closing at 12:00 GMT on 27 November 2026; when September 2027 entry opens is not given on the page, so watch the website.
• International undergraduate bursaries: Thrive, Nepal and others are awarded automatically to eligible self-funded new students by country of residence; the Thrive list includes Hong Kong but not mainland China, so it does not apply to mainland applicants.
• The College: the website says its undergraduate programmes carry discounts worth up to £12,000; check The College’s pages for conditions.

Entry into Year 2 (direct entry)

• The website says second-year entry is considered case by case for most programmes, subject to places; give full information up front, and applicants transferring from another university will usually need to show details of all modules taken so far so that progression into Year 2 can be confirmed.
• The grades, required modules and deadline for Year 2 entry to this course are not given on the pages used for this guide; ask admissions directly. The international entry-requirements page’s general “first year of an undergraduate degree at a Chinese university 60%” is a first-year entry standard, and Year 2 entry is assessed separately.

Note: the course directory also lists Medicine (MB BCh), Pharmacy (MPharm), Applied Medical Sciences, Medical Pharmacology, Medical Biochemistry, Medical Genetics, healthcare science and biomedical engineering degrees, which are outside this guide; see the course pages on the website. Environmental science, geography and other science degrees are also outside this guide.

Sources: Swansea University website — Biology BSc; Biological Science with deferred choice BSc; Zoology BSc; Marine Biology BSc; Ecology and Conservation BSc; Biochemistry BSc/MSci; Genetics BSc/MSci; Microbiology and Immunology BSc/MSci; Undergraduate application process; Guaranteed offers; International how to apply; International undergraduate entry requirements; China page; Application deadlines; English language requirements; Undergraduate tuition fees; International undergraduate scholarships; International Excellence Scholarships; The College undergraduate pathways; The College academic entry requirements. Everything above is for September 2027 entry; fees, deadlines and entry requirements change every year, so check the university website and the UCAS website before you apply and treat each course page as the final word.