Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Biology] From Royal Holloway, University of London

The Biology programme is offered at the Royal Holloway University of London.

This course focuses on the structure, function, evolution and diversity of living organisms and the interactions between them. Its flexible structure lets you study a broad-based degree or concentrate on areas that are predominantly ecological, physiological and focused on either plants, animals or both. You will also be able to explore important current issues including genetic engineering and climate change.

You will gain an impressive portfolio of transferable skills that are highly attractive to employers in a wide range of sectors. Over the last five years 97% of our students have been placed in graduate positions within six months of completing their degree.

Why choose this course?

• Flexible degree structure; if you are undecided as to what degree you will finally take, our flexible course structure allows you to keep your options open. You can change your course within the organismal or molecular areas right up to the start of the second year, providing the degree you change to is not oversubscribed.
• Transferable skills; you learn a wide range of skills during the degree, which will serve you well whether you go into a career within or outside Biological Sciences.
• First-class facilities; we have state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, proteomics and metabolomics facilities, marine and freshwater aquaria, plant and animal cell culture, glasshouses, and an electrophysiology suite. We also have access to extensive areas of natural habitat for fieldwork and are close to sites of national scientific importance, such as Windsor Great Park, Box Hill and Chobham Common.
• Strong support network; an exceptionally friendly and welcoming environment. Because of our high staff-student ratio, we can offer teaching in small groups, even one-to-one when the need arises.
• Financial help; we offer Bioscience Entrance Scholarships for students of outstanding ability. These are worth up to £1,000 along with a guaranteed place in a hall of residence for all three years of your degree.

Employability & career opportunities

Studying biological sciences at Royal Holloway will provide you with a wide variety of skills highly valued by employers. You will develop your ability to research and present your findings, analyse and critically assess data, work as an individual and as part of a team and manage your time effectively.

Some courses offer a study abroad option, as an additional year via our international exchange partner institutions. The School also has strong links with Operation Wallacea allowing students to carry out conservation projects throughout the world.

The School has links with a large number of local industries which provide internships and research project placements. Our annual careers event offers you the chance to network with external speakers and previous graduates.

Our graduates are highly employable and, in recent years, have entered many different biology-related roles in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, food, brewing, agriculture and associated biotechnology industries, as well as launching careers in medicine (both in research institutes and hospitals), forensic science and microbiology.

Additionally, the School provides plenty of opportunities to develop your communication skills through outreach work. We host an annual Rare Disease Day event for schools, involving speakers and researchers from around the UK. Our undergraduates are involved in event organisation and putting on activities. Our undergraduates also contribute to the annual Royal Holloway Science Festival directing activities such as making liquid nitrogen ice-cream and extracting DNA.