Human Embryology and Developmental Biology
Entry requirements
A level
A minimum of 3 A Levels at BBB - at least 2 from Science or Maths subjects. To be considered for entry into Second Year, a minimum of 3 A Levels at ABB, with AB from 2 science or maths subjects (including the subject(s) nominated for Honours - an A in the subject for Single Honours or AB in the subjects for Joint Honours). Also required: GCSE at C or above in English or English Language, Mathematics and in either Chemistry, or Biology or Dual Award Science.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
A minimum of 32 points, with a minimum of 5 points at HL required from 2 Science or Maths subjects. For Second Year entry: a minimum of 34 points with a minimum of 6 at HL in the subject(s) nominated for Honours. A minimum of Standard Level English and Maths also required.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
A minimum of 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AABB including a minimum of H3 or BB from two Science or Maths subjects. The grading within band B must be at B2 or above. O in English, Mathematics and in either Chemistry or Biology.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
A minimum of DDM with the main subjects being Science or Maths. Also required: GCSE at C or above in English or English Language, Mathematics and in either Chemistry, or Biology or Dual Award Science.
Scottish Advanced Higher
For Second Year entry a minimum of 3 AH at ABB, a minimum of two must be Science or Maths subjects (including the subject(s) nominated for Honours). Standard Grades 1, 2 or 3 or Int 2, or National 5 at grades A, B or C in English, Mathematics and in either Chemistry or Biology.
For entry to Year 2: Satisfactory completion of HNC Applied Sciences (120 SCQF credit points). A in all Graded Units.
For entry to Year 3: Satisfactory completion of HND Applied Sciences (240 SCQF credit points. A in all Graded Units. Curriculum to include: Human Metabolism (H92D 35). For entry to Year 3: Satisfactory completion of HND Applied Biological Sciences (240 SCQF credit points). A in all Graded Units.
Scottish Higher
Applicants who achieve AABB or better over S4 and S5 are likely to be made an offer of admission. This may be unconditional or it may be conditional, dependent upon academic profile. Good performance in additional Highers / Advanced Highers may be required. Higher Maths at BB from 2 Science or Maths subjects - Chemistry and Biology preferred. Note: we do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B at Adv Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher. Also National 5 at grades C or above in English, Mathematics (but not Applications of Mathematics) and in either Chemistry or Biology.
UCAS Tariff
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About this course
Human Embryology and Developmental Biology is the study of the fascinating process in humans and animals that turns a single fertilised egg into a whole new individual with all the many specialised cell types. Developmental Biology is the modern synthesis of biological and medical sciences that looks at how the tissues and organs of our bodies are built. This degree programme will provide a broad and multifaceted training in modern biology, ranging from traditional morphology and experimental embryology to the latest molecular and bioinformatics approaches in genetics, cell biology, stem cell biology and biotechnology.
You will be trained in embryology, reproductive biology (including fertility/IVF science), stem cell technology, tissue regeneration, and the causes of, and cures for, human birth defects. Teaching is delivered by world-leading researchers who are at the forefront of current research in developmental biology and stem cell technology. Emphasis is put on medically-relevant developmental genetics and stem cell technology.
Research in Developmental Biology is central to the search for cures for many human genetic diseases, including cancer, and is at the forefront of recent advances in modern medicine, which includes stem cell maintenance regeneration and tissue repair.
**5 year MSci degree**
This degree offers you the opportunity to undertake a year's placement in an industrial, commercial or research environment and graduate after five years with an MSci (an undergraduate Masters degree) instead of a BSc.
Modules
View all modules on the programme page to find out more about what you will be studying and when. University of Aberdeen modules are designed to give you breadth and depth to your degree. The range of modules you study will allow you to become proficient in all subjects which are directly relevant to your degree giving you greater career options.
Assessment methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods: Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; Written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Tuition fees
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Extra funding
View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be able to apply for.
The Uni
University of Aberdeen
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
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.
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)
Zoology
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
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
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.
Zoology
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
Unsurprisingly, the most common job for a zoology graduate on leaving is to work in a zoo or similar organisation - but there are a lot of other options available if you take this subject. Nearly a quarter of graduates take some kind of further qualification when they leave — mostly Masters degrees in zoology or related subjects, like biology or ecology — but a graduate from a zoology course can go into pretty much anything, with science, conservation, management, finance and marketing some of the most popular areas. Zoology graduates are also rather more likely than others to get a job overseas so if an international career appeals to you, this might be a degree to consider.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£21k
£26k
£28k
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.
Zoology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£21k
£26k
£28k
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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