Program Overview

Molecular Biology BSc (Honours) 2025 entry

Overview

The BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology involves an introduction to the foundations of molecular and cellular biology and then focuses on topics such as chromosome structure and function, molecular genetics, molecular cell biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, molecular virology, and gene expression.

Molecular Biology at St Andrews incorporates substantial practical laboratory training and development of quantitative skills. Students have the opportunity to engage with a number of specialist topics that reflect the research interests of the Biomedical Sciences Research Complex.

Entry Requirements

SQA Highers

• 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.

GCE A-Levels

• 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.

IB points

• 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.
• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.
• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

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

• 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: Molecular Biology students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme.

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.

Course Details

• The BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology.
• Molecular Biology at St Andrews provides students with high-tech equipment, laboratories, and expertise to facilitate learning and to develop the skillset of a modern molecular biologist.

Modules

• First year:
  • Biology 1: provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology.
  • Biology 2: provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal, behavioural, and ecological aspects of life.
• Second year:
  • Applied Molecular Biology: examines case studies to provide examples of how molecular biology techniques are applied in research to address real-life questions and problems.
  • Biochemistry: a number of central metabolic pathways and their control are studied in detail, alongside examples of their importance in disease and recent metabolomic studies.
  • Molecular Biology: provides an introduction to modern molecular biology, covering fundamental biological processes such as transcription, translation, and DNA replication and repair.
  • Research Methods in Biology: develops essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on problem-solving.
• Third year:
  • Gene Regulation
  • Infection and Disease
  • Protein Structure and Function
  • Statistical and Quantitative Skills for Biologists
  • Basic Biochemistry Laboratory
• Fourth year:
  • Molecular Virology
  • Chromatin and Genome Stability
  • The CRISPR System for Antiviral Defence and Genome Engineering
  • Molecular and Cell Biology of Eukaryotic DNA Replication

Teaching

• The BSc in Molecular Biology is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, and research projects.
• Typical class sizes include:
  • First year: lectures 250 to 300 students, practicals 80 to 100 students
  • Second year: lectures 80 to 175 students, practicals 40 to 60 students
  • Third year: lectures 20 to 140 students, practicals 20 to 60 students
  • Fourth year: 5 to 25 students per module

Fees

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535
• EU and overseas: £31,670

Additional Costs

• All students need to cover the costs of a laboratory coat and dissection kit.

Accommodation Fees

• Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and Scholarships

• The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Careers

• Graduates from the School of Biology have a wide range of skills sought by employers:
  • laboratory and field data collection
  • data handling and presentation
  • problem-solving
  • teamwork
  • planning
  • organisation and communication skills
• Biology graduates have secured employment as:
  • clinical scientists
  • consultant ecologists
  • marine mammal scientists
  • museum curators
  • school teachers

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.
• 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.