Program Overview

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Evolutionary Biology BSc (Honours) 2025 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Evolutionary Biology deals with the theory of evolution, evolutionary genetics, environmental physiology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, evolution of behaviour, biodiversity and conservation, computational genomics, human evolution, and evolutionary ecology.

Overview

• UCAS code: C182
• Start date: September 2025
• End date: September 2029
• Duration: Four years full time
• School: School of Biology

Entry Requirements

• The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background.
• 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.

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: Evolutionary 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 Evolutionary Biology is a four-year course run by the School of Biology.
• Evolutionary Biology at St Andrews provides students with high-tech equipment, laboratories and expertise to facilitate learning and to develop the skill set of a modern evolutionary biologist.

Field Trips

• From first year to Honours, students studying Evolutionary Biology will also have the opportunity to go on field trips to gather data.
• Those who have a particular interest in ecology or marine biology will be perfectly located in St Andrews on the shores of the east coast.
• In Honours years, students can explore further afield where recent courses have visited places such as the Red Sea and Antarctica.

Modules

• In the first two years of your degree (known as Sub-Honours), you will take the required modules in biology alongside modules in at least one other subject.
• Typically, you will take core modules in your first two years, and advanced modules in your final two years (known as Honours).

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

• Research Methods in Biology: develops essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on problem solving.
• Students must also take three of the following modules:
  • Evolutionary Biology: gives an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology.
  • Ecology: introduces essential concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity.
  • Invertebrate Zoology: surveys the major invertebrate groups, emphasising the diversity of body plans while demonstrating how the common functional requirements such as feeding, reproduction, respiration and excretion are achieved.
  • Vertebrate Zoology: explores the diversity of vertebrate animals, providing a detailed look at the defining characteristics of the body plans and lifestyles of the key vertebrate group.

Third Year

• You will continue to specialise in Evolutionary Biology via a wide range of modules covering core topics.
• Modules that have been offered in previous years include:
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Ecosystems and Conservation
  • Evolution
  • Genes, Cells and Development
  • Infection and Disease
  • Methods in Aquatic Biology

Fourth Year

• You will study your chosen subject area at a deeper scientific level and will also have the opportunity to select from an extremely wide range of small-group, specialised modules.
• These modules are taught by academics at the forefront of their discipline who are teaching to their research strengths.
• You can also undertake a substantial final-year research project.

Teaching

• The BSc in Evolutionary Biology is taught through a combination of:
  • lectures
  • seminars
  • tutorials
  • practical classes
  • field work
  • research projects

Assessment

• First-year Biology modules are entirely assessed by coursework.
• During second and third year, most Biology modules are assessed by an equal weighting of coursework and written examinations.
• In fourth year, most Biology modules are entirely assessed by coursework, while some include written examinations in addition to coursework.

Fees

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

Joint Honours Degrees

• You can also take Evolutionary Biology as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.
• UCAS codes for joint Honours degrees are available on the University website.

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.