Biology with a Year in Industry

Biology helps us understand the world around us: the way that plants and animals interact, the way that living things evolve and adapt, and our own role in the wider natural world. As a scientific discipline, it encompasses everything from molecular genetics and cell biology to ecology, evolutionary theory, and the science of entire ecosystems. At a moment when the planet faces unprecedented environmental pressures, biological knowledge has never been more needed, whether for conservation, medicine, agriculture, or the management of natural resources.

At Royal Holloway, University of London, this four-year full-time programme gives you a sound understanding of the structure, function, evolution, and diversity of living organisms and the interactions between them. The distinctive feature of this degree is the year in industry, during which you will spend a sustained period working in a professional biological or life-sciences context before returning to complete your final year. This gives you the kind of real-world experience that employers consistently value and helps you understand how biological knowledge is applied in practice.

The programme also includes a year abroad, offering the opportunity to study biology in a different academic and ecological environment. A typical entry tariff of 104 points applies.

You will develop skills in laboratory technique, experimental design, data analysis, field ecology, and scientific communication. Royal Holloway's campus in Surrey provides access to field sites and ecological environments that complement the laboratory-based aspects of the programme.

Graduates from biology with a year in industry programmes go on to careers in ecological consultancy, conservation, pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, biomedical science, agriculture, education, and scientific communication. Many pursue postgraduate study in ecology, genetics, biomedical science, or related fields, particularly those aiming at specialist research or professional roles.