About Life Sciences in Aberystwyth University

If you lack the necessary qualifications to enter one of our three-year programmes, Aberystwyth University’s Life Science foundation year is an effective way of entering university to study biological sciences. 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. 

Why study Life Sciences at Aberystwyth?

• 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.
• 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.
• 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; IBERS received the ''Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology'' award at the 2013 Times Higher Education Awards. 
• 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.
• The Department offers a number of modules taught through the medium of Welsh. Check out the module tab for more information!

What will I learn?

The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:

• to understand 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;
• use scientific literature to research topics;
• use standard field and lab techniques to investigate hypotheses;
• use mathematics to deal with biological data in order to answer experimental hypotheses;
• produce scientific reports and write essays on biological topics;
• undertake team work and deliver presentations.

Following the successful completion of the foundation year, you will transfer onto one of the degree schemes offered by the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences. 

How will I be taught?

• You will be taught through a balanced programme of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical work which will be supplemented by laboratory research and experimentation. You will also work on individual and group tasks. You will be assessed through essays, practical exercises, survey reports, portfolios, oral presentations and written exams. 

• You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.

Academic qualification equivalents:

• We generally accept minimum 75% in year XII Std. of the Centeral Board of Secondary Education and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, in addition to the state boards of education in India.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS          :         6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component
• TOEFL         :         88 with minimum component scores: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17. 
• PTE             :          55 with minimum scores of 51 in each component 

Aberystwyth University Highlights

Aberystwyth University The Average Tuition Fees And Other Expenses