BSc Biology with Professional Placement

From the very beginning of your degree, you won’t just be learning biology—you’ll be living it. Through hands-on lab work, smart digital tools, and field experiences, you’ll build not only knowledge, but also the confidence and professional skills that employers value.

Here’s how your learning experience comes to life:

• Immersive Laboratory Learning : Step into purpose-built teaching labs in the Life Sciences Building, equipped with everything from fluorescence microscopes to PCR machines, gel electrophoresis systems, spectrophotometers, and pH/oxygen meters. These tools support your core studies while giving you the feel of a professional lab environment.
• Digital Laboratory Manuals (DLMs) : Forget old-school lab prep—our interactive digital manuals combine video guides, simulations, and step-by-step prompts to help you approach experiments with confidence. They bridge the gap between theory and practice right from the start.
• Research Collaboration : In your final year, you’ll work side by side with academics and postgraduates in research-active labs. This is your chance to get a taste of real-world science while benefiting from expert mentorship.
• Field-Based Learning : Biology doesn’t stop at the lab door. You’ll gain first-hand experience in places like the Experimental Glasshouses, the University’s Botanic Garden, and local natural habitats such as Leigh Woods and Avon Gorge—perfect for plant growth research, environmental studies, and public engagement projects.
• Life Sciences Building : Your teaching space is more than just a lab—it’s designed to encourage creativity and collaboration, with breakout rooms, seminar areas, and social spaces that make it easy to connect with classmates and staff.
• Fully Equipped Infrastructure : From lab notebooks and integrated imaging support to specialist equipment designed for teaching, every practical session is backed by tools that help you learn like a professional from day one.

Graduates from this course go on to exciting and meaningful careers—whether as Conservation Scientists, Laboratory Technicians, Environmental Consultants, or Science Communicators. Thanks to the combination of broad biological knowledge and the year-long professional placement, you’ll leave Bristol with both the academic grounding and the hands-on confidence that employers are actively looking for.

Here’s how Bristol supports your career journey:

• University Careers Support : From the start of your degree and long after you graduate, the Careers Service is there to guide you. You’ll have access to one-on-one coaching, employer networking events, careers fairs, internships, and job listings through mycareer. You can also boost your profile through the Bristol PLUS Award, or explore opportunities with local businesses via the SME internship scheme. Support continues for up to three years after graduation, so you’re never left navigating the job market alone.
• Graduate Employability and Impact : Bristol is consistently recognised for graduate success—ranked joint 7th in the UK and 49th globally for employability, and 5th most targeted by top UK graduate employers. That means your degree carries real weight with leading organisations.
• Strong Graduate Outcomes : Within 15 months of finishing their degree, 75% of Biology graduates are in highly skilled roles—from science and conservation to teaching and project management. Even more importantly, 70% say their work feels meaningful and 60% feel it aligns with their future goals.
• Long-Term Professional Value : While the degree isn’t tied to a specific accreditation, the professional placement year is a powerful advantage. It shows employers you’ve already thrived in a workplace environment, giving you a strong head start when applying for graduate jobs.
• Graduation Outcomes – Median Salaries : On average, Biology graduates earn around £27,000 within 15 months of graduating, with salaries rising to approximately £33,500 after five years.

Further Academic Progression

If you’re looking to keep pushing your expertise further, this degree also provides an excellent stepping stone into advanced study. Many graduates progress to MSc or PhD programmes in areas such as conservation biology, ecology, environmental science, or science communication. The placement year and the programme’s broad, interdisciplinary training give you a competitive edge when applying for postgraduate opportunities.