Help for Uni (Biology)

IDK WHAT TO DO!!!
I’m Y12. I had planned on going to Cardiff but i just found out they dont accept my combo of a levels. Are there any well respected Unis that do Biology so I can study genetics or is it a life in politics for me?!
-A level media
-A level Sociology
-A level psychology
-EPQ
-BTEC extended certificate in applied human biology

Help would be appreciated xxx

Reply 1

Chester Student

Official Rep

Original post by eviehp

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear your initial plan didn't work out.

Luckily, there are plenty of universities that offer biology, and many that cover genetics. I've linked both The Complete University Guide and The Guardian league tables here, which should give you a rough idea on the top universities for biology.

It may take some time to sift through the entry requirements of each university that interests you, but it would be well worth it to pursue your interests.

I hope this helps,

Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)

Reply 2

eviehp

Original post by Chester Student

Hi there,
I'm sorry to hear your initial plan didn't work out.
Luckily, there are plenty of universities that offer biology, and many that cover genetics. I've linked both The Complete University Guide and The Guardian league tables here, which should give you a rough idea on the top universities for biology.
It may take some time to sift through the entry requirements of each university that interests you, but it would be well worth it to pursue your interests.
I hope this helps,
Isabella
Fourth-Year Geography (With a Year Abroad)

thank u so much!! ill have a look at them :smile:

Reply 3

McGinger

Be aware that leading Unis will want A level Biology and possibly also a 2nd A level science. With a BTEC as your only Science, your choices are going to be limited, and if the Uni accept this, they may only accept specific units.

You need to look on Uni websites to see what they require - if the A level / BTEC combination isnt clear, just email them and ask.

Reply 4

LJMUStudentReps

Official Rep

Hi @eviehp

I just came across your thread and thought I’d pop this here in case it’s helpful! If you’re exploring options in biological and environmental sciences, you might like to check out the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences at LJMU
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-science/school-of-biological-and-environmental-sciences

We offer a range of undergraduate courses in this area, including our BSc (Hons) Biology, which is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. You can find more info about that course here:
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduates/2025/30159-biology-bsc-hons

Hope that’s useful — best of luck with your course search!

Megan (LJMU Postgraduate Student Rep)

Reply 5

Kingston Jenifer

Official Rep

Original post by eviehp

Hi there!

I have a degree in Medical Biology and my A-Level combination was Biology, Chemistry and English Literature. I knew someone that still went to university and graduated with a first class degree in biomedical science - their A-Level combination was French, History and Biology. You can still get into a biology degree :smile:

In some cases, A-level psychology may be considered as a second science. Additionally, some uni's may accept a BTEC in applied human biology. I would suggest you look at entry requirements. For a degree in Biological Sciences from Kingston University (I specialized in Medical Biology) - you would need "a BTEC Extended Diploma in an appropriate science subject with grades Distinction, Merit, Merit to Distinction, Distinction, Merit (DMM - DDM)".

Also, you can consider doing a foundation year - please do not think you have to rush off to uni! It is better to go a little later or take your time picking a degree you know you would love as opposed to doing politics and being stuck in an industry you dislike!

Hope this helps and I am happy to answer any more questions you have!

kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston uni)

Reply 6

eviehp

Original post by Kingston Jenifer

Hi there!
I have a degree in Medical Biology and my A-Level combination was Biology, Chemistry and English Literature. I knew someone that still went to university and graduated with a first class degree in biomedical science - their A-Level combination was French, History and Biology. You can still get into a biology degree :smile:

In some cases, A-level psychology may be considered as a second science. Additionally, some uni's may accept a BTEC in applied human biology. I would suggest you look at entry requirements. For a degree in Biological Sciences from Kingston University (I specialized in Medical Biology) - you would need "a BTEC Extended Diploma in an appropriate science subject with grades Distinction, Merit, Merit to Distinction, Distinction, Merit (DMM - DDM)".
Also, you can consider doing a foundation year - please do not think you have to rush off to uni! It is better to go a little later or take your time picking a degree you know you would love as opposed to doing politics and being stuck in an industry you dislike!
Hope this helps and I am happy to answer any more questions you have!
kind regards, Jenifer (Kingston uni)

yeah its really annoying me because i do the extended certificate which is equivalent to 1 a level which they dont like for some reason?!

Reply 7

Tank Man21

Original post by eviehp

i did a biology degree

you are neither qualified for a degree in biology nor would you likely cope with the rigours of it. fortunately you've dodged a bullet as, as much as i loved my degree it is not the best for job prospects, find a degree with a vocation like radiology

Reply 8

eviehp

Original post by Tank Man21

i did a biology degree
you are neither qualified for a degree in biology nor would you likely cope with the rigours of it. fortunately you've dodged a bullet as, as much as i loved my degree it is not the best for job prospects, find a degree with a vocation like radiology

is there nothing that would lead me to genetics? no way i can sidestep?

Reply 9

spectacular-stem

Original post by eviehp

is there nothing that would lead me to genetics? no way i can sidestep?

Fortunately, some universities offer biology w/ human biology as a requirement with another science, i.e. University of Leeds, York and Birmingham.

https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/02995e0a-2ac3-11d5-f1fb-704b487b4433?academicYearId=2025&courseOptionId=4259dc22-d74f-428a-b38b-e203183b220e

https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/60d62b36-748f-8d8d-9668-3ceece9928de?academicYearId=2025

https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/e8b14a69-0cc6-50a3-b083-5623e9b58204?academicYearId=2025&backUrl=https:%2F%2Fwww.ucas.com%2Fexplore%2Fsearch&courseOptionId=a1ae51fc-9b8d-4690-9230-78b9e20ab79f

However, most top universities, at minimum, accept applied science BTEC instead of human biology. At most, you could probably do a foundation year with all the level of information needed from A Level Bio.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 10

DW..

Original post by spectacular-stem

Fortunately, some universities offer biology w/ human biology as a requirement with another science, i.e. University of Leeds, York and Birmingham.
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/02995e0a-2ac3-11d5-f1fb-704b487b4433?academicYearId=2025&courseOptionId=4259dc22-d74f-428a-b38b-e203183b220e
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/60d62b36-748f-8d8d-9668-3ceece9928de?academicYearId=2025
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/e8b14a69-0cc6-50a3-b083-5623e9b58204?academicYearId=2025&backUrl=https:%2F%2Fwww.ucas.com%2Fexplore%2Fsearch&courseOptionId=a1ae51fc-9b8d-4690-9230-78b9e20ab79f
However, most top universities, at minimum, accept applied science BTEC instead of human biology. At most, you could probably do a foundation year with all the level of information needed from A Level Bio.

Foundation year is likely the best option since you haven't got the base science requirement.

Reply 11

me143

You will likely need to do a foundation year if you are planning on going to highly-ranked universities. The majority of biology degrees will require an A level in science, and not many consider psychology as one. Some do, so it'd be worth looking for that. An EPQ is not equivalent to an A level. I would say it's only worth an AS level. A lot of universities would offer a reduced grade requirment, typically by 1 grade if you get an A in EPQ. Seeing as you aren't currently doing A level biology, I do see a foundation year as your best option since it will help you to catch up on the on the content you are missing. A BTEC in applied science does not cover the same content in the same amount of detail as an A level.