Program Overview

Overview

The University of St Andrews offers direct entry to the second year of the Ecology and Conservation BSc (Hons) program for students with excellent Advanced Higher, A-Level, or International Baccalaureate qualifications. This option allows students to complete their degree in three years instead of four.

Entry Requirements

SQA Advanced Highers and Highers

• Advanced Highers: AB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.
• Highers: AAAB

GCE A-Levels

• Standard entry grades: AAA, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.

IB Points

• Standard entry grades: 38 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics.

General Entry Requirements

• All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programs:
  • 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 qualifications: 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

• The University accepts a wide range of qualifications for entry on to its programs. Please see the entry requirements for more information.

Course Details

• Duration: Three years full-time
• School: School of Biology
• Start date: September 2025
• End date: September 2028
• UCAS code: CD14

Careers

Graduates from the School of Biology are in high demand and are keenly sought after by institutions including the government, universities, research centers, and major companies. 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

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.