MBiol (Hons) Biotechnology

This course is ideal if you want an interdisciplinary approach to Biotechnology. You'll have a wide range of options to tailor the course to your developing interests.

Microorganisms are an important but often overlooked form of life. They are causative agents of many diseases, but can also be harnessed to produce a wide range of useful products including antibiotics and other medicines. Microbes are vital for providing multiple ecosystem services and are crucial for agricultural systems, whether via the microbes in the soil, those associated with plants, or in the context of providing the basis for our understanding of genetic modification. They can be used to produce biofuels, provide the means to decontaminate polluted environments and act as important models for understanding biological processes. At York, you will learn about the practical application of biological knowledge to economically important areas, such as health, food and the environment.

This integrated Masters course specifically focuses on the skills needed for a career as a research scientist. You'll work with researchers in one of the UK’s top bioscience departments to learn specialised techniques. You'll gain experience in a research lab doing pioneering work, undertake specialist research training and take Masters-level modules.

Adding a year in industry or a year abroad are both an option with this course too, so you can benefit from the advantages that a year away can bring. There are also opportunities for paid summer research internships. The Department of Biology will provide you with the opportunity to learn in new, spacious and modern teaching laboratories which provide excellent facilities for practicals and small group project work, alongside our state-of-the-art computing facilities.

Accreditation

All of our undergraduate courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. As a graduate, you will meet in-part the academic and experience requirement for membership and chartered biologist (CBiol).

A levels AAA including Biology and a second science We accept the following subjects as a second science: Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology or Statistics.

Access to Higher Education Diploma 39 credits at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit or higher. Must include Level 3 modules in Biology and a second science.

BTEC National Extended Diploma BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD. We consider BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science (2016 syllabus) with all 7 mandatory units. We consider BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science (2010 syllabus), please contact us for information on the units we accept.

Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, D3 including Biology and a second science or mathematics subject.

European Baccalaureate 85% overall including 8.5 in Biology and a second science or mathematics subject.

International Baccalaureate 36 points including 6 in Higher Level Biology plus either 6 in another Higher Level science or mathematics subject, or 6 in two Standard Level science or mathematics subjects. If English is not your first language then we require 5 in English B.

T levels We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless additional A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) in Biology and a second science or mathematics subject have been taken.

Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Advanced Highers - AB in Biology and a second Science/Mathematics plus Scottish Highers - AB We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.

International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.

Other qualifications To secure a place as a mature student on this course you will need recent qualifications in Biology and another science at a sufficiently advanced level, together with evidence of some of the key skills needed for studying at degree level.

Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.

Contextual offer ABB including Biology and a second science.

EPQ If you achieve B or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

Core Maths If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component

Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component

Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component

Duolingo Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component

GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4

LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component

LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component

Kaplan Test of English Language 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component

Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component

PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component

TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component

Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

Other English language qualifications We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.

IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component

Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component

Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component

Oxford Test of English Advanced 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component

Duolingo Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component

GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4

LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component

LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component

Kaplan Test of English Language 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component

Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component

PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component

TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component

Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

Other English language qualifications We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.