Bachelors or Masters - whats a better option?

Hi everyone, I'm currently in the university application process, and I want to study Biology/Biological Sciences/Genetics at university in 2026. I have quite a passion for genetics (early development in particular), and my thought was always to do a Bachelor's in biology and then later do a more specific master's targeted to what I want to do. I have heard that it makes more sense to apply for a master's from the beginning because it is easier to drop the master's year rather than pick it up later. I'm quite an indecisive person and am still definitely not 100% sure in my future career plans, so I was wondering what makes more sense for me to apply to? many thanks :smile:

Reply 1

DerDracologe

Study Forum Helper

@artful_lounger I think you mentioned something about funding for an integrated masters but i cant remember it exactly

Reply 2

McGinger

SFE can get sticky about adding a year of funding later - so applying for the Masters and dropping down is always a better option.

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post

by DerDracologe

@artful_lounger I think you mentioned something about funding for an integrated masters but i cant remember it exactly

Original post

by McGinger

SFE can get sticky about adding a year of funding later - so applying for the Masters and dropping down is always a better option.

Exactly this. It's funded as an undergraduate course throughout but SFE get very fussy if you are "changing course" in any way that lengthens the course (such as by swapping to the MSci/MEng version or to one with a year abroad or similar). It's much simpler to just start on the longest version of the degree you want to do with all the bells and whistles, and swap to the shorter one later.

That said in principle from the university's side it's usually straightforward to swap between the BSc/MSci versions of the course in the first two years (although normally the standard required to swap into the MSci is a higher average over the course) as it's just effectively an admin process where you usually fill in a form and the department admin make some changes from then uni side (which to be fair might be somewhat complex for them but are not for you). However as above, SFE can be a problem and may end up leaving you having to self fund a year, so it's easier to start with the longer course at the outset.

Incidentally as I understand for international students extending their visa by a year is simpler than having it "reduced" and so for international students the reverse advice would generally apply (since they also aren't affected by the SFE issue) i.e. starting on the shorter version and swapping to the longer version while "on course".

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