Molecular & Cellular Biology (with Plant Science)

Molecular and cellular biology with plant science is a fundamental discipline that underpins the study of plants as well as all living organisms. Plant science is a rapidly evolving and exciting field which combines plant biology, physiollgy with biochemistry, genetics and cell biology to provide insights to, and explain how, molecular function produces the hierarchy of living cells, address how plants respond to their environment, with the grouping in Glasgow addressing growth, root and stomatal biology as well as a wide range of photo-biology.

for entry in 2025

Summary of entry requirements for Molecular & Cellular Biology (with Plant Science)

SQA Higher entry requirements

• ABBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
• Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
• Typically offers will be made at AAAAA by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
• Additional requirements: Higher Biology or Chemistry. (A in either).

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)

• MD20: BBBB (also other target groups*)
• MD40: AABB (ABB S5 minimum for consideration)*
• Additional requirements: Higher Biology or Chemistry. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.

* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.

Widening Participation Articulation Programmes

The University has bespoke HNC Articulation Programmes running at various colleges, offering direct entry to Year 2 of this degree.

• HNC Articulation Programmes: information and eligibility criteria

A-level standard entry requirements

• AAB – BBB
• Additional requirements: A-level Biology or Chemistry.

IB standard entry requirements

• 34 (6,5,5)
• Additional requirements: HL Biology or Chemistry.

Advanced entry requirements for Molecular & Cellular Biology (with Plant Science)

SQA Higher advanced entry requirements

• Advanced Highers – AAA including Biology and Chemistry attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.
  
  Applicants must also meet the standard offer threshold with S5 grades to be considered for advanced entry.

A-level advanced entry requirements

• Three A-levels at grades A*AA which include Biology and Chemistry attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.

IB advanced entry requirements

• 38 points with three Higher Level subjects at 6,6,6 including Biology and Chemistry attained in one exam year and at the first attempt.

Choose point of entry 2nd year on your UCAS application to indicate you wish to be considered for advanced entry.

Admissions guidance

• Find out more about entry requirements and alternative qualifications

Glasgow International College

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation certificates.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

• 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

• 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

• 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

• 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

• 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

• Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

• Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

School Qualifications

• IGCSE English First Language, grade C
• IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
• A Level English, grade C
• International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
• International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
• SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
• SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C

International School Qualifications

• Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
• Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
• European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
• Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
• France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
• Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
• Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
• India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
• Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
• Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
• Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
• Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
• South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
• Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
• Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C

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Alternatives to English Language qualification

• Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
• Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

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Pre-sessional courses

We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

• direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
• essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
• flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

• School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Stud: Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

• Heriot Watt
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Middlesex University
• Manchester University
• Reading University
• Edinburgh University
• St Andrews University
• UCL
• Durham

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Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study

Many of our graduates go on to pursue a Masters degree or PhD in their area of specialism and work in research laboratories in academic institutions, agrochemical or biotechnology industry. Graduates are also able to move readily into related specialties such as bio-engineering, biotechnology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology and synthetic biology.  In addition, the transferable skills you will develop such as communication (written and oral), critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis and interpretation, time management, adaptability, and teamwork, will leave you well equipped for a wide range of careers outside a laboratory setting. Recent graduates have secured positions in non-science careers as diverse as accountancy, IT, journalism, teaching, patent law, finance/investment banking, data analyst, science communication, policy makers for government and law enforcement. With your degree you will be equipped with a large number of very desirable skills that will make you very competitive when applying to potential employers. Career options