Program Overview

---

BSc Plant Sciences (C201)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

You will explore the full range of plant biology, from enzymes to ecosystems. You will gain knowledge of the diversity, evolution and function of plants and the latest developments in functional genomics, bioinformatics, plant developmental biology, plant pathology, parasite biology, cell signalling, pollination biology, ecology, plant conservation and systems biology.

The course starts broadly and introduces more choices in years two and three including a one-week field or laboratory-based unit and a ten-week practical research project.

The University's Botanic Garden is nearby. It was the first new university botanic garden to be built in 40 years and holds more than 4,500 plant species.

We have outstanding facilities in our state-of-the-art Life Sciences Building and our lecturers are world-leading researchers in their fields.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAA
• A-level contextual offer: ABB
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 3 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application method

• UCAS (Code: C201)

Location

• Clifton campus

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £30400 per year, international students
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• AAA including Biology and another science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

A-level contextual offer

• ABB including AB in Biology and another science-related subject. Science- related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

BTEC

• DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five required Biology units

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Biology and another science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 at Higher Level in Biology and another science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

European Baccalaureate

• 85% overall, with 8.5 in Biology and another science-related subject. Science- related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AA in Biology and another science-related subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAB. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/ Medical/ Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; including 12 credits in Biology and 12 credits in another science subject, one achieved at 12 credits at Distinction and the other achieved at 9 credits at Distinction and 3 credits at Merit. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Electronics; Environmental Sciences; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; and Statistics.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Plant Sciences can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Applicants must also meet these requirements

GCSE profile requirements

• No specific subjects required.
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
  • GCSE English Language grade C or 4
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level E.
• Further information about English language requirements and profile levels

Related courses

• See a list of all Biological Sciences degrees at Bristol, and find more information about the course, assessment and career prospects.

MSci Plant Sciences

Related Subjects

Biomedical Sciences

Cellular and Molecular Medicine