You are welcome to come to visit us. We encourage you to attend one of the pre-application University Open Days which the University holds at least twice a year in July and October. Booking is essential, and you should contact the University Admissions Office on 01904 433196, or email admissions@york.ac.uk for further information.

If you are unable to come to an Open Day, we are able to organise an individual visit to the Department. During many of the school holidays the University runs Campus Tours, and where possible we like to combine these with Departmental visits. For more details of our availability please email:

• Biology Admissions Tutor
  
• Biochemistry Admissions Tutor
  

Once you have received an offer, we will invite you to attend one of our departmental visit days, which take place on Wednesday afternoons between November and March.

The Biology Department is located on Wentworth Way on the Main Campus at Heslington. Please see the University’s Maps and Directions page for further details.

Please use the postcode YO10 5DD to find the University Heslington campus. The Biology postcode, YO10 5YW, is for a PO Box and using this postcode causes some satellite navigation systems to send visitors to the Royal Mail sorting office in Leeman Road on the other side of the city.

UK and EU students can request a paper copy of the University prospectus through the post by ordering online, or by telephoning our prospectus ordering line on 01904 433527. Overseas enquirers should contact the International Office by email or visit the International Office website for further assistance. A copy of the undergraduate prospectus may also be obtained from the Admissions and UK/EU Student Recruitment office in Heslington Hall at the University of York.

• 2010 Undergraduate prospectus (PDF 9,759 KB)

You can download a PDF version. Alternatively, if you prefer a paper copy, complete the form on our Request a Brochure page and we will send you one through the post.

• Biology admissions brochure (PDF , 2,643kb)
• Biochemistry admissions brochure (PDF , 621kb)
  

Universities within the UK vary in what they have to offer. From its inception, the University has concentrated on strong viable departments and teaching and research of the highest quality. Many organisations and newspapers compare universities, looking at factors such as how good the teaching is, the research and how much funding it attracts, the facilities and the overall student experience. The University of York consistently ranks highly in these independent assessments of quality.

Biological Sciences at York has been highly rated in the latest league table of UK Universities, ranking fourth in the Good University Guide 2010. Claimed to be "the definitive guide to choosing a university", the table allows prospective undergraduate applicants to compare universities by subject, and includes research quality as well as entry standards, student satisfaction and career prospects.

The Department of Biology at York has been ranked second in the UK in the 2010 Guardian league table. The table is intended for undergraduate applicants and focuses entirely on teaching, learning and other student-related items, including student satisfaction, feedback and career prospects.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) assesses the teaching provided by departments, and our teaching scored 24 out of a possible 24 in the most recent assessment.

In the 2008 National Student Survey 94% of York Biology students were satisfied with their experience (an increase from 92% last year) compared with a national average of 82%. The Department of Biology was ranked 5th in similarly rated research departments in the country and scored highly across all areas of the survey.

The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise placed York Department of Biology equal first among broad spectrum bioscience departments for top-quality research. In addition Biological Sciences at York is ranked 6th in The Complete University Guide 2010.

The Department of Chemistry has been ranked in the top ten amongst chemistry departments nationally in two recent surveys. It has been ranked 5th in the Times Good University Guide 2010, which basis its analysis on research quality, entry standards and graduate prospects, and 8th in the Guardian University Guide 2010, which bases its analysis on teaching quality, student feedback, spending on students, staff/student ratio, job prospects, student degree results compared with their entry qualifications and student entry scores. Chemistry at York is also ranked 8th in The Complete University Guide 2010.

We are very happy to accept applications from students who want to take a gap year, and applicants applying for deferred entry are not disadvantaged in any way. Taking a gap year allows students to travel or earn some money before beginning their degree, and many students benefit enormously from this experience, which is sometimes - but not always - in an area connected with their future studies.

No, not at all. All applications receive equal treatment, irrespective of educational background. We welcome students from all sorts of backgrounds and with a wide range of experience, and consider every application on its own merits.

Yes. For Biology students, our degree programmes have a common first year so you can easily change between the various three-year Biology and specialist degree programmes. This flexibility gives you chance to change your mind as your knowledge, interests and skills develop.

For both Biology and Biochemistry students, you may also transfer to a four-year programme with a year in industry, or to the four-year programme with a year in Europe if you have the necessary language skills. You can also transfer from a four-year course to the three year BSc if you change your mind during your course.

Because of the ease with which you can transfer from one course to another once you get here there is no need to apply for more than one of the Biology/Biochemistry courses at York on your UCAS form. Please note, however, that it may not be possible to transfer from Biology to Biochemistry, or Biochemistry to Biology, especially once you get here.

Yes. This can be a big decision to make when you apply, so we do not ask you to make a final decision until towards the end of your first year. At that stage, the year in industry co-ordinator talks to all first year students about what would be involved in spending a year away, and provides plenty of advice to help you decide.

Yes, we welcome applications from mature students whose skills and experience are valued by staff and other students. Your application will be considered individually and on its own merit. You may wish to contact the Admissions Tutors about your situation, and in any case if you are in any doubt about the suitability of your qualifications, we suggest that you contact us before making a formal application through UCAS. We are happy to consider applications from mature students offering Access to Higher Education courses. However, it is our policy to only consider applications where there is evidence of both Biology and Chemistry being studied to a sufficient high level (equivalent to A level). Normally we would be looking at an Acess to HE Diploma in Science with 30 credits achieved from units awarded Distinction and 9 awarded Merit or higher. We usually interview before making a final decision.  

Yes, certainly. We believe that students with disabilities should have access to the full range of opportunities, whether academic, cultural or social, and the University will do its best to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Please be assured that disability will not a factor in making academic decision on your application, and you are encouraged to discuss any practical problems either before or after you apply to us. You may wish to contact the Admissions Tutor to arrange a special visit to the department.

If you need any general advice we suggest you contact Disability Services at York, on 01904 434785 or email DisabilityServices@york.ac.uk.

We consider all applications without knowing what other choices you have made. However, in the case of Medicine (and other similar courses), applicants need to write personal statements that focus on their relevant experience and motivation for that course, and so it will be obvious to us that Biology is not your first choice degree subject. We realise that you can only make four applications for Medicine on your UCAS form, leaving one place that can be filled by another subject, which may be Biology or Biochemistry at York. We are happy to consider such applications without prejudice, as we know that some students may later decide that Medicine is not for them, or may be unsuccessful and need to consider alternative courses. Over the years, we have, in fact, accepted a good number of such students on to our courses in Biology and Biochemistry who have gone on to enjoy the course, and to be happy and successful here.

If you have only missed by a grade or so, we may still be able to confirm your place through UCAS on results day. However, in some cases it is possible that we may not be able to give you a final decision for quite a few days, as it is likely to depend on a number of factors such as the number of insurance places that will be taken up here, which itself depends on decisions from other Universities.

You should not worry about losing your insurance place elsewhere – if we are not able in the end to take you ourselves, your insurance University must take you if you have met the conditions of their offer.

We advise you to phone us on results day to discuss your situation (please do this yourselves – and don’t leave it to your parents). This can provide us with valuable extra information, and also allows us to keep you in the picture as much as possible during what we realise can be a very stressful and difficult period.

All of our courses have a common first year, providing a very flexible degree structure, but this means that some knowledge of Chemistry beyond GCSE will be required by all students.

A level applicants should have studied Biology to A level, and Chemistry to at least AS level (A level Chemistry is preferred)

Applications without Chemistry to at least AS level are normally considered only where applicants have achieved or are expected to attain A grades in Biology and two other science or maths subjects at A level.

No, A level Biology is helpful but not essential. We require A level Chemistry or its equivalent and the equivalent of two additional subjects other than General Studies at A level. Ideally these would be two other sciences or one other science plus mathematics, but a combination of one other science or mathematics and a subject from the humanities is usually acceptable. Our basic A level offer is AAB, including Chemistry and excluding General Studies.

We are happy to consider applicants who have results obtained by resitting modules during the AS and A level years.

Applicants who are resitting modules during a third year of study are also welcome to apply. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but normally our offer would be to achieve grades for any resits that bring your overall performance up to at least our typical offer.

Yes, we are very pleased to receive applications from students offering the International or European Baccalaureate.

For Biology courses we normally expect applicants to have studied Biology and Chemistry to an advanced level, such as to higher level in the IB. Our typical offer is a score of 35 points, normally including 6 at higher level in Biology and 6 at higher level in Chemistry. Applications may also be considered from candidates who are offering Chemistry to standard level in the IB, particularly if their application is otherwise strong.

For Biochemistry courses we normally expect applicants to have studied Chemistry to an advanced level, such as to higher level in the IB. Our typical offer is a score of 35 points, normally including 6 at higher level in Chemistry and 6 at higher level in Maths or another science.

Yes. Candidates should normally have already taken Higher Level examinations when they apply, and be studying for Advanced Highers.

For Biology courses, the Advanced Highers should include Biology and Chemistry. Our typical offer is AB in Biology and Chemistry, plus AAAAB in Highers.

For Biochemistry courses, the Advanced Highers should include Chemistry and preferably a supporting science. Our typical offer is A or B in Chemistry, plus AAAAB in Highers.

Yes, applications from international students are very welcome, whether from the EU or from overseas, and we consider all applications on their own merits. Generally, we are looking for evidence of advanced study and appropriate qualifications in Biology and Chemistry, but we suggest that you contact the Admissions Tutors for specific advice on your particular situation. We will do our best to make you a fair offer, and we welcome discussions with your teacher or college tutor where we are less familiar with the particular qualifications you may be offering.

No, we do not accept land-based BTEC diplomas in subjects such as Animal Management or Countryside Management as they do not provide sufficient background knowledge of Biology and Chemistry to meet our requirements. We would be looking for additional qualifications in Biology and Chemistry. We will also not consider candidates with a BTEC National Award or Certificate without further qualifications.

Prospective students must show evidence of a good command of the English language. Where previous education has not been carried out in English, a score of 6.5 in the IELTS test, with at least 6.0 in each skill, is normally required.

Alternative qualifications are accepted, including TOEFL (Internet 100; Computer 250; Paper 600), Cambridge Proficiency in English (C), Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (A), and GCSE/IGCSE (C).

Yes, if you are applying for one of the three-year or four-year Biology, Biology specialist, or Biochemistry degree programmes, and are liable to pay overseas fees, you are eligible to apply for one of up to five scholarships that we award to overseas students each year. Each scholarship is worth £1000 annually for the duration of the course, subject to satisfactory academic progress. You can only apply to these scholarships after you receive a conditional offer from us.

Students who apply with A level grades (or other qualifications) that match or exceed the standard offer are likely to be made an unconditional offer. If, however, your grades are a little below the standard offer level then we will consider your application carefully, and decide whether to make you an offer, possibly after an interview. Students with A level grades significantly lower than our standard offer are unlikely to be offered a place. However, students who are re-taking their A levels to improve their grades will be considered favourably, and may be made a conditional offer.

Yes. The English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Unit runs an English for Academic Purposes Programme to provide English language support for international students.

All overseas and EU students on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are eligible for University-funded English language support.

Please contact the EFL directly for further information.

We expect students from Cyprus or Greece to have taken two A levels in Biology and Chemistry (grades A and B either way round), in addition to an overall score of 19 points in their Apolytirion. If they have only the Apolytirion then their chances of receiving an offer will be significantly reduced. They would also need an acceptable English language qualification (usually IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge or IGCSE). We usually interview via video link (skype) before making a final decision.

The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to UK and EU undergraduate students, for more details please visit the undergraduate scholarships and bursaries page.

The Department also offers some scholarships to overseas students.

There are many common elements in the first year course, but Biochemistry students study foundation Chemistry, and Biology students study Ecology, Genetics and Plant and Animal Physiology and Adaptation.  The Biochemistry degree has a greater focus on the "chemistry of biology" and the Biology degree begins more broadly than this, covering the range of bioscience from ecosystem ecology to molecular and cell biology at the start, and allowing students to specialise in years 2 & 3. There is, therefore, a lot of overlap, but very few students are able to switch between Biology and Biochemistry once the course has begun (usually due to space constraints).

We treat all applications received before the 15th January deadline equally. Our offer criteria are decided in advance of the application cycle, and we monitor offers throughout to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and equally. There is therefore no disadvantage to students who apply to us closer to the 15th of January deadline.