Molecular Biology
UCAS Code: C701
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants. Required subjects: Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics. A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to Science HE Diploma with at least 24 level 3 credits at Distinction, including all Biology and Chemistry units at Distinction and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit. Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education.
Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
5,5,5 at Higher Level including Higher Level Biology and a Higher Level in either Chemistry, Maths or Physics, with a minimum of 32 points overall.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Subjects to include Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Distinction, Distinction in Applied Science and grade B in A-level Chemistry or A-level Biology. A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Plus grades BB in A-level Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics. A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Subjects to include Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Scottish Higher
Subjects to include Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics.
Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
To gain a profound understanding of how living things function, grow and reproduce we must refine our focus to the molecular level. Studying Molecular Biology at Royal Holloway, University of London will give you an insight into the molecular mechanisms that control all life processes on Earth.
This flexible programme focusses on the co-ordinated expression and interaction of genes and their products, before giving you the chance to tailor your studies in years 2 and 3 with a selection of optional modules including Evolution, Developmental Biology, Climate Change and Cell and Molecular Neuroscience.
You’ll study at our state-of-the-art School of Biological Sciences, where a recent £16 million investment has helped to provide specialist equipment for mass spectrometry, bioinformatics and gene and protein sequencing. Gain laboratory experience across the three years, joining our renowned research culture in year three as you complete your individual research project alongside our expert academics. The School of Biological Sciences was ranked 25th in the UK for influential research output by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.
Develop your interest in Molecular Biology and you’ll graduate with a range of transferrable skills that will make you an attractive prospect to employers in a variety of fields. School of Biological Sciences graduates have gone on to find careers in fields including forensic medicine, medical research and pharmaceuticals, and Molecular Biology will give you a robust skillset to take into your chosen career.
Develop practical laboratory and data handling skills.
Examine the life cycle of flowering plants, their evolution, developmental and functional biology.
Learn how biological and ecological principles can help develop sustainable solutions to 21st-century problems.
Join a close-knit and supportive learning community with a high staff-to-student ratio.
Modules
Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/biological-sciences/molecular-biology.aspx
Assessment methods
Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Royal Holloway, University of London
Biological Sciences

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See your living costsWhat students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
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.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?Around 2,500 graduates got degrees in this demanding but valuable subject last year. Graduates who want a career in research usually take postgraduate qualifications - over a third of graduates in the subject took this option - but those who want to start work when they graduate have a lot to choose from. Laboratory work and other jobs in the biosciences are popular, as well as in education, but many biochemistry graduates find their way into the finance industry and as a consequence, graduates from these disciplines are particularly likely to get jobs in London and the South East.
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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?
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