BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology)
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), a biological sciences degree centred on biotechnology. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, and Laboratory Techniques. The programme includes a specialisation in biotechnology leading to an honours programme, with a required average of 60% across Years 1 and 2 to progress to the MBiol route. The first year covers introductory coding, hypothesis development and experimental design, student-led investigative projects, and data evaluation and analysis. The second year focuses on cellular metabolic processes, DNA replication and repair, microbial form and function, and programming for data analysis, alongside the biotechnology specialisation. The third year explores gene expression and RNA processing, synthetic biology, microorganisms and how they interact with their environment, and genetic engineering of cells. The final year examines the use of enzymes and microorganisms in biological production, biotechnology industrial applications, and the latest biotechnology laboratory techniques.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to ABB in one set of exams (required: Biology at B, Chemistry at B) IB: from 37 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 26%: 18 offers from 70 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 60 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 240 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 3%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Information Technology Professionals: 15%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 290 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 11%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 57%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 255 students who started
- A levels: 72%
- Baccalaureate: 16%
- Access course: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 4%
- No formal qualifications: 6%
Modules
- learn about ethics
- hone your writing skills
- reflect on your learning
- have the opportunity to use your creativity when coming up with solutions to novel biological problems
- hypothesis development and experimental design
- data evaluation and analysis
- introductory coding
- communicating your ideas both orally and in writing
- student-led investigative projects
- self-reflection
- DNA replication and repair
- natural selection and the origin of species
- cellular metabolic processes
- regulation and control of biological systems
- programming for data analysis
- data science techniques for interpretation of biological data
- evolution of animal body plans and physiological systems across phyla
- modern plant biology
- microbial form and function
- On the BSc programme, you will progress into your chosen biological subject specialisation, for example, biotechnology, which will lead to your honours programme of choice.
- On the MBiol programme, you will not select a specific specialisation, but you will be encouraged to align with one of the areas of biological science. You must achieve an average of 60% across Years 1 and 2 to progress to the MBiol programme.
- genetic engineering of cells
- synthetic biology
- microorganisms and how they interact with their environment
- gene expression and RNA processing
- the use of enzymes and microorganisms in biological production
- biotechnology industrial applications
- the latest biotechnology laboratory techniques
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £45,500. The £34,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Biosciences.
What do graduates of BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at University of Edinburgh?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 193 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at University of Edinburgh?
26% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 18 offers from 70 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.