Program Overview

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Biology with a Foundation Year, BSc (Hons)

Course Overview

A deep academic understanding of life on Earth is now more important than ever. Studying living organisms in all their amazing variety is fascinating and helps us to identify critical threats and major opportunities, from the smallest scale to the largest. This four-year biology degree gives you the flexibility to explore natural life wherever your interests lie.

Why Biology with a Foundation Year at Swansea?

• 11th in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2026)
• At the end of the Integrated Foundation year, you will progress to a BSc Biology. If you wish to pursue a BSc in Marine Biology or a BSc in Zoology you will need to transfer onto those courses.
• Your learning will be shaped by inspirational and internationally-renowned academics including Professor Rory Wilson – Chief Scientific Consultant behind National Geographic's Great Migrations, and Dr Richard Unsworth – advisor on the globally acclaimed BBC series Blue Planet II.

Your Biology with a Foundation Year Experience

• A flexibly structured degree path means you can study abroad for a year or work in industry for a year, either locally, nationally, or overseas.
• Field courses available near and far allow you to work varied habitats, exploring the amazing natural areas on our doorstep, and natural life in distant lands such as India, Borneo, and the Red Sea.

Biology with a Foundation Year Employment Opportunities

Our graduates have become Ecologists, Project Officers, Hydrometry and Telemetry Officers, Benthic Taxonomists, Wildlife and Education Officers, Animal Keepers and Crop Technicians.

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Year 0 (Level 3)

• Foundational Scientific Skills
• Foundation Biology
• Elementary Chemistry
• Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Techniques in Ecology and Biogeography
• Foundation Physical and Environmental Geography

Year 2 (Level 5)

• Introduction to field ecology
• Ecological Data Analysis
• Plant Ecology
• Ecological Microbiology and the Cycles of Life
• Optional modules include:
  • Parasitology
  • Animal Conservation and Welfare
  • Molecular Ecology
  • Animal Physiology
  • Tetrapod Evolution
  • Entomology
  • Year 2 Biological Sciences Literature Review
  • Adolygiad Llenyddiaeth Bl 2

Entry Requirements

We consider all applicants on their own merits and welcome applications from students with a wide range of qualifications.

A level (or equivalent) typical offer

• CDD - DDD

BTEC

• DMM in a subject including Animal Management, Health Science, Land and Wildlife management.

UK Access

• in Biomedical/Forensic/Applied/Bio/Natural/Biophysical Sciences - minimum of 27 Merits in Science, including all Biology modules at Level 3

T Levels

• Merit with Grade C (5) in GCSE Biology/Human Biology

Mixed Qualifications

• 96 UCAS tariff points from 3 highest qualifications, to include 40 UCAS tariff points in relevant subject

International Baccalaureate

• 28 points and grade B/6 GCSE Science/Biology

How You're Taught

At Swansea, you will benefit from a high-quality, research-informed education that combines a range of effective and inclusive teaching methods, carefully tailored to suit the needs of your course. Most courses are taught in person, on campus, giving you the opportunity to actively engage with other students, academic staff, and the wider university community.

Welsh Provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this course through the medium of Welsh but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year.

Professional Body Accreditation

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers.

Meet Your Lecturers

You will be taught by world-class lecturers who are all active researchers. Their research activities in areas such as environmental conservation, sustainable aquaculture, biocontrol and species monitoring, help to change the world for the better.

Tuition Fees

• Start Date | UK | International
  • September 2025 | £ 9,535 | £ 22,000
  • September 2026 | £ 9,535 | £ 23,100

Funding and Scholarships

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Additional Costs

• Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University.
• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies
• Lab coat and dissection kit (Level 1 for all degree programmes) – approximately £30
• Tropical Marine Biology field course in Puerto Rico - (costs ~£1200 - £1700 tbc)
• Sikkim overseas field trip (Biology and Zoology Level 3 - optional) – student contributes £500 towards travel and accommodation

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Academic Support

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

To learn more about study abroad, visit our Go Global webpages.

Application Deadlines

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled.