Get degree ideas using our A level explorer tool

Biotechnology with Foundation Year

Entry requirements


A level

C,C,D-C,C,C

Subject requirements: Grade C or above in either Biology and/or Chemistry

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMM

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

To obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area. Contact the Course Enquiries team for details.

UCAS Tariff

88-96

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

4years

Full-time including foundation year | 2024

Other options

5 years | Sandwich including foundation year | 2024

Subject

Biotechnology

**Why study Biotechnology at Liverpool John Moores University?**
- A practical course, taught using state-of-the-art teaching laboratories

- Gain an understanding of the principles and applications of biotechnology and practise the latest molecular, bioprocessing and analytical techniques

- Offers research projects in areas such as synthetic biology, genetic engineering of crop plants, fermentation technology, bioremediation and antimicrobial resistance

- Benefit from links with industry for industrial placements

- Excellent spring board into careers as diverse as biopharmaceutical manufacturing, drug discovery and development, food technology and biofuel production

- Opportunities to undertake a year's industrial placement or work abroad

- International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme - visit LJMU's International Study Centre to find out more

**About your course**
BSc (Hons) Biotechnology explores the manipulation of biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that address global challenges in health, food and the environment. The course provides excellent facilities to develop practical skills and exciting opportunities to engage with industry. Biotechnology is a fascinating field of study, which has had a positive impact on many aspects of our lives, with applications across medicine, food and the environment.

This multidisciplinary science builds on a foundational knowledge of molecular and cell biology, microbiology and biochemistry, using transgenic plants, animals and microbes to develop valuable technologies and products. Early known examples of biotechnology include the use of microorganisms to make cheese, bread and wine, but advances in genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology have revolutionised the biotechnology industry. Modern biotechnology has enabled production of drugs, vaccines, energy, industrial chemicals and progressed developments in gene therapy, cancer therapy and sustainable agriculture.

This is a hands-on course in which you will spend a large proportion of your time in our excellent teaching labs for cell culture, molecular biology and imaging studies, practising the latest molecular, bioprocessing and analytical techniques. You will gain an understanding of the principles and applications of biotechnology across this broad-based sector. Optional modules and a research project in the final year provide opportunities to specialise in your own particular area of interest. You will have plenty of opportunities to put your skills and knowledge into practice and explore your own interests by completing a research project. The option to do a years industrial placement between the second and third year will also help develop transferable skills, valued by employers.

The programme enables you to develop intellectual independence, critical awareness and transferable skills. There is an emphasis on career development, with additional input from external speakers from industry, increasing your understanding of the business of biotechnology. You will develop commercial awareness and learn how new start-up biotechnology companies are made.

**Opportunities for study abroad and placements**
The School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences has an excellent track record of providing relevant vocational training for students. Students are supported by Professional Training Tutors who are responsible for advertising placements and promoting vocational training.

**About the Foundation Year**
The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Biotechnology honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year, you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

Modules

Please visit the Liverpool John Moores University website for detailed module information.

Assessment methods

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Most modules are assessed through a combination of exam and coursework and some via coursework only. Exams are normally held at the end of each semester.

- Exams may include a range of question types e.g. multiple choice, short answer, interpretative, problem-based learning and essay questions
- Coursework assessment could be in the form of phase tests, practical reports, data handling, oral presentations, poster presentations, group discussions, essays or demonstrating competence in core practical skills. Most coursework assessments are based on individual assignments but some require group work

Feedback on coursework assessments is normally provided within three weeks of submission and may be via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you can improve your work.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
International
£18,250
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

Extra funding

Please see our Bursaries and Scholarships page for more information: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/discover/fees-and-funding/bursaries-and-scholarships

The Uni


Course location:

Liverpool John Moores University

Department:

School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences

Read full university profile

What students say


How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biotechnology

Sorry, no information to show

This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.


Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

78%
UK students
22%
International students
86%
Male students
14%
Female students
79%
2:1 or above
17%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
A

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Biotechnology

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£18,000
med
Average annual salary
85%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

17%
Artistic, literary and media occupations
17%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
12%
Transport associate professionals

This is a new and emerging field of technology and not many people completed degrees in biotechnology last year — it’s more common as a Masters degree. Further study is common for graduates as research jobs usually require a postgraduate qualification. Those who do go straight into work typically go into a range of biology and lab jobs in several different industries, but a good grade can be particularly important for this qualification, so bear that in mind.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Biotechnology

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£19k

£19k

£21k

£21k

£22k

£22k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Chester | Chester
Biotechnology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 112
Lower entry requirements
University of East London | Newham
Biochemistry and Biotechnology (with Foundation Year)
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 64
Nearby University
Edge Hill University | Ormskirk
Biotechnology with STEM Foundation Year
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 72-96
Same University
Liverpool John Moores University | Liverpool
Biotechnology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time including foundation year 2024
UCAS Points: 104-120

Share this page

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here