
Biological Sciences (Plant Science) BSc (Hons)
Course Overview - Biological Sciences (Plant Science) BSc (Hons)
Plants are fundamental to our survival, providing oxygen, food, materials and medicines, underpinning habitats, engineering soils and acting as major carbon sinks.
Advances in plant science have revolutionised our understanding of the world, and saved millions of lives from starvation. As we face a future with an increasingly variable climate, it is important to find ways to feed more people with fewer resources, whilst maintaining natural diversity and minimizing our negative impact on the planet.
Whether your interests are in pure or applied science and whether y...
Plants are fundamental to our survival, providing oxygen, food, materials and medicines, underpinning habitats, engineering soils and acting as major carbon sinks.<br/><br/>Advances in plant science have revolutionised our understanding of the world, and saved millions of lives from starvation. As we face a future with an increasingly variable climate, it is important to find ways to feed more people with fewer resources, whilst maintaining natural diversity and minimizing our negative impact on the planet.<br/><br/>Whether your interests are in pure or applied science and whether you prefer to work at the environmental, organismal or molecular level, now is an exciting time to be a plant scientist. Plant science research leverages state-of-the-art advances in sequencing, imaging and molecular biology to:<br/><br/><br/>* understanding plant diversity and evolution<br/><br/><br/>* identify new medicines<br/><br/><br/>* engineer crops to have better yields both on earth and in space.<br/><br/><br/>Plant science is also at the heart of controversial debates relating to genetic modification, gene editing and habitat reconstruction. <br/><br/>We have a strong international reputation for plant science research and offer many research opportunities. This ranges from fundamental topics, such as how plants sense time, to applied studies on the future of food production and the biotechnological use of plants as vaccines. <br/><br/>We study plants ranging from single-celled algae, to liverworts, snapdragons and crop plants to answer a wide variety of biological questions. <br/><br/>There is close collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Your final year project can be based there, or at one of the many plant research institutes in the area.<br/><br/><strong>Flexibility</strong><br/><br/>Biological sciences explores the study of living organisms, covering everything from the interactions of animals in their environment to how genes are expressed.<br/><br/>We offer a flexible learning experience. With 12 different biological sciences subject areas, you can tailor your programme to your preferred career path. Regardless of your initial application choice, you will have the opportunity to explore aspects of each of our programmes in the early years and can choose to specialise in whichever one interests you.<br/><br/>Our skills-based curriculum will equip you with data analysis, programming and problem-solving skills, as well as teaching you effective communication, and independent thinking. This will prepare you to be a part of the next generation of scientific thinkers who apply their skills in various contexts.<br/><br/><strong>Programme benefits</strong><br/><br/><br/>* Study on a flexible programme. Explore different areas of biological sciences before specialising in the later years of your degree programme.<br/><br/><br/>* You will learn in state-of-the-art laboratories, interactive computing studio facilities, and collaborative lecture theatres, ensuring a dynamic and immersive study experience.<br/><br/><br/>* Experience hands-on learning with fieldwork at local sites such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh.<br/><br/><br/>* Gain key skills valued by employers such as communication, collaboration, problem solving and data analysis.<br/><br/><br/>* We have a strong international reputation for plant science research and offer many research opportunities, including an independent research project in your final year. <br/>
Course Information
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Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
4 Years
Start Date
14/09/2026
Campus
Central area campus
Application Details
14 January
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
C200
Institution Code
E56
Points of Entry
Year 1, Year 2
Entry Requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not Accepted
Scottish Higher
A,A,B,B
AABB (achievement by end of S5 preferred). BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Biology or Human Biology at B; Chemistry at B. You must have a grade A in one of Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Mathematics (or Applications of Mathematics) or Physics. Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry are recommended. We will only consider one of Biology or Human Biology; Mathematics or Applications of Mathematics. National 5s: English at C; Mathematics or Physics at B. We accept Higher Applications of Mathematics at C in place of National 5 Mathematics at B.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
37
32
from 37 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: Biology at 5; Chemistry at 5. SL: Mathematics: Analysis and approaches, Mathematics: Applications and interpretation, or Physics at 6; English at 5.
A level
A,A,A
A,B,B
AAA - ABB in one set of exams. These grades should be achieved in one set of exams. Required subjects: A levels: Biology and Chemistry, both at B or above. You must have a grade A in one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics. GCSEs: Mathematics or Physics at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
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Fees and funding
Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Scotland | £1,820 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland | £9,535 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
EU, International | £38,900 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |