Aberystwyth University Open Day - 5 July 2025
5 Jul 2025, 09:00
Aberystwyth
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Life Sciences (includes foundation year)
- Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Awarded by:
- Aberystwyth University (Prifysgol Aberystwyth)
Course summary
If you lack the necessary qualifications to enter on to one of our three-year programmes, Aberystwyth University’s four-year Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Life Sciences with an integrated foundation year is an effective way of entering university to study biological sciences.
In your foundation year, you will be taught the fundamentals of biology, including biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, ecology, zoology, genetics, botany etc. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to transfer onto any of the three-year degree schemes offered by the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences.
Learn and live in an exceptional environment where you will be surrounded by many internationally recognised habitats including the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, RAMSAR wetlands, marine special areas of conservation, National Nature Reserves, sites of special scientific interest to name but a few.
You will be taught by internationally recognised staff from within Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) utilising state of the art teaching facilities providing an outstanding learning experience. Students will benefit from the use of an array of modern facilities including aquaria for marine and freshwater organisms, mass spectrometry and analytical unit, high-throughput DNA sequencing, a bio-imaging laboratory, growth rooms and glasshouses, the National Plant Phenomics Centre, university farms and an equine centre etc.
Learn in an award-winning department, where we are top 10 in the UK for research intensity in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) assessment (2014). 78% of research assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2014 REF. This course will allow you to explore the key biological concepts covering: biological molecules, cells, organelles and their function, cell growth and division; prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms including plants and animals, their ecological interactions, evolution, natural selection, and conservation. Upon successful completion of this foundation programme, you could progress onto any of our degree schemes offered by IBERS.
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How to apply
Apply by
29 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- C990
- Institution code:
- A40
- Campus name:
- Main Site (Aberystwyth)
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
Access to HE Diploma
The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.
Applicants are selected on their individual merits and offers can vary. We allow you flexibility in meeting our entry requirements, and all qualifications that you have already gained, or are working towards, will be considered when reviewing your application.
We have an inclusive policy which recognises a broad range of qualifications. The entry requirements listed above represent typical offers for some of the most popular qualifications taken by applicants.
If you cannot find the qualifications that you are studying (or have previously studied) please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office (Telephone: +44 (0)1970 622021; Email: ug-admissions@aber.ac.uk) for advice on your eligibility and details of the typical offer you are likely to receive.
Additional entry requirements
- Other
- A minimum grade C or grade 4 pass in GCSE (or equivalent) English or Welsh is a requirement for entry to all our degree schemes. Business, Mathematics, Psychology and Science degree schemes also require a minimum grade C or grade 4 pass in GCSE (or equivalent).
- Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge English Advanced | B | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | C | |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | With minimum 5.5 in each component. |
| PTE Academic | 55 | With minimum score of 51 in any component. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | With minimum scores in components as follows: Listening 21; Writing 21; Reading 22; Speaking 23. |
If you are an international student needing more information about the English Language requirement for your course (e.g. country-specific English Language tests, Partner Institution tests, EU/EEA English Language qualifications where the school curriculum is taught in a native language) please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further advice.
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
Within our Contextual Offer Scheme, we strive to embrace students whose educational and social backgrounds may have influenced their academic journey. Our decision-making process involves assessing the entire application to make an assessment based on your grades and individual circumstances.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades students were previously accepted with - learn more. It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9000 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9000 | Year 1 |
| EU | £18830 | Year 1 |
| International | £18830 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The UK and Welsh Governments have confirmed that EU students commencing their studies in the academic year 2021/22 will no longer be eligible for home fee status. Fees for EU students will therefore be charged in line with international fees from 2021/22 onwards.
Please note Irish nationals will continue to be eligible for home fee status and support by the Welsh Government under the Common Travel Area arrangement
Sponsorship information
Aberystwyth University offers a valuable package of scholarships and bursaries to support students. Our long-established Entrance Examination competition means you could get up to £2,000 a year towards your living and study costs. You can combine that with any or all of our other awards, to make your financial package more valuable. Our awards include Sport and Music Scholarships, Bursaries for Care Leavers/Young Carers and a range of department specific awards. Please visit our website for full details.
Aberystwyth University
Penglais
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
Wales
SY23 3FL
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Course contact details
Department of Life Sciences (undergraduate enquiries)
Email:ibtstaff@aber.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)1970 621986
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Email:admissions@aber.ac.uk
Phone:01970 622021
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