“A big motivation of mine for studying at St Andrews was the excellent research that is being carried out. As a biologist with the aim of going into research, it was important to me that the university had the facilities and people that would drive me in that direction. I love how personal the teaching style is here – students are welcome to chat to the lecturers and they are always happy to help.”
- Vienna, Austria
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
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- Standard entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Lifeskills Mathematics (A grade)
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
Students must have studied Biology (or Human Biology) at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications over and above the stated minimum requirements.
Alternative study options
Students interested in this course may also be interested in the following:
Direct entry to second year
Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.
Gateway programmes
Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.
Study abroad
Biology students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to apply to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Joint Honours degrees
You can also take Animal Behaviour as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.
| Course name | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Chemistry | C761 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Computer Science | F899 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Earth Sciences | CFC6 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Economics | CL11 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Geography | CF18 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Mathematics | CG11 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Philosophy | CV16 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Psychology (BPS Recognition Route) | CC18 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Statistics | CG13 |
| Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Sustainable Development | F896 |
"With" degrees
You can take Animal Behaviour as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Animal Behaviour:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with Arabic - UCAS code CT16
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code C1R1
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French - UCAS code CCR1
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology with Biology - UCAS code C8C1
"With" degrees taken with Arabic or French are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.
Careers
Graduates with a biology degree are in high demand and are keenly sought after by institutions including the government, universities, research centres and major companies. Normally around 40% of graduates succeed in their applications to progress to PhD or Masters programmes and a further 30% to 40% engage in graduate employment destinations.
Biology graduates have gone on to find success in a wide variety of careers including:
- professional biologists in biological research, conservation, higher education, and the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries
- researchers and advisers in government
- journalists
- advisers, researchers and managers in the National
- Health Service
- teachers
- forensic scientists
- management consultants
- marketing and advertising experts.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
What to do next
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.
Undergraduate visiting days
We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3401
- biology@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Biology
Biomedical Sciences Research Complex
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST
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