BSc in Developmental Biology with a Modern Language (Full Time)  BSc in Developmental Biology with a Modern Language (Full Time) University of Manchester ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1564115975University-of-Manchester1.jpg

Our BSc Developmental Biology with a Modern Language course will enable you to develop your language skills while learning how the single cell formed at fertilisation forms an embryo and then a fully formed adult organism.

Developmental biology is a multidisciplinary field that integrates genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy, physiology and computer modelling.

You will learn how developmental biology is having a significant impact on our understanding of evolution and modern medicine, including the treatment of birth defects, infertility and cancer in humans, focusing on stem cells in particular.

We offer French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin for the language component of the course, which includes a year abroad on a research placement.

Our course has Advanced Accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology , which recognises academic excellence in the biosciences and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future.

A-level

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.

Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

We require grades AAA-ABB, including two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths (the Hard Sciences). You must have a minimum of grades AB in at least two Hard Sciences and pass the practical assessments in these subjects. If your grades are AAB or higher, we will accept a grade A in Geography, Psychology, Environmental Studies or PE in place of one of the Hard Sciences.

Subjects with overlapping content are not normally considered as separate A-levels eg Further Maths is not considered alongside Maths and Human Biology is not considered alongside Biology.

General Studies is welcomed, but is not normally included as part of the offer. Your offer will be based on the above criteria as well as your predicted grades and past performance.

Language entry requirements

In addition to the above, each language has specific entry requirements.

• French: an A-level in French (grade B) or equivalent is required.
• German: an A-level in German (grade B) or equivalent is required.
• Spanish: an A-level in Spanish (grade B) or equivalent is required.
• Italian: an A-level in Italian (grade B) or equivalent is required.
• Japanese: no prior knowledge of Japanese is assumed, but evidence of linguistic proficiency is required, e.g. GCSE grade A (or 7 in the newly reformed GCSEs in England) in a foreign language. Chemistry AS-level (grade B) is essential. If you do not have AS-level Chemistry, we would require a full A-level in Chemistry (normally grade B).
• Mandarin: no prior knowledge of Mandarin is assumed, but evidence of linguistic proficiency is required, e.g. GCSE grade A (or 7 in the newly reformed GCSEs in England) in a foreign language. Chemistry AS-level (grade B) is essential. If you do not have AS-level Chemistry, we would require a full A-level in Chemistry (normally grade B).

AS-level

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Unit grade information

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

GCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. 

English language

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency.  The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

• GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C (or 4 in the newly reformed GCSEs in England)
• IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 6.5 in any component)
• An acceptable equivalent qualification

Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.

Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found  here .

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Assessment methods vary widely to suit the nature of the course unit and each level of study. 

• Lecture units are usually assessed by written exam (multiple choice or essay-based), which are held at the end of an academic semester in either January or May/June.
• Field courses are usually assessed via oral and written presentations, group work and/or projects.
• Practical units are usually assessed by experimental report and/or short written assignment and/or written exam.
• The proportion of independent study assignments increases during each year of study.