Biology with a Foundation Year

Biology is the science of life in all its extraordinary diversity, from the molecular machinery inside cells to the complex ecosystems that cover the planet. It seeks to understand how living things are built, how they function, how they reproduce and evolve, and how they interact with each other and their environments. Studying biology gives you access to one of the most rapidly advancing areas of human knowledge, with discoveries in genetics, ecology, cell biology, and neuroscience transforming our understanding of the living world and opening new possibilities in medicine, conservation, and biotechnology.

At Swansea University this four-year full-time programme opens with a foundation year, designed to build your scientific knowledge and study skills before you progress to the main biology degree. The foundation year provides a thorough grounding in the core sciences, ensuring you are confident in the material and methods that underpin degree-level biological study. From there you will explore the breadth and depth of modern biology, studying living organisms in all their variety and developing the laboratory and analytical skills that are central to biological science.

Swansea's location gives you access to a wide range of natural environments, from coastline and estuaries to upland habitats, which enriches your understanding of ecology and field biology.

Biology graduates pursue careers across an exceptionally wide range of sectors. The life sciences industry, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices, employs large numbers of biology graduates in research, development, regulatory, and technical roles. Environmental consultancy, conservation, ecology, and wildlife management are other common paths.

Healthcare, education, science communication, and public health all draw on graduates with biological training. Those wishing to continue in research often pursue postgraduate study at masters or doctoral level, with opportunities in universities, research institutes, and industry laboratories.