Undergraduate degree programmes

search undergraduate degree programmes

Science entry requirements

BSc, MSci

Highers

Applicants who achieved between BBBB/ABB and AABB at their first sitting may receive a conditional or unconditional offer once all applications have been reviewed in March 2013. 

  • AAAB in first sitting = unconditional offer.
  • Applicants who achieved between BBBB/ABB and AABB at their first sitting may receive a conditional or unconditional offer once all applications have been reviewed in March 2013. 

The four Higher subjects (under all categories above) should include at least one, and preferably two, from: Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computing Studies, Geography, Geology, Human Biology, Information Systems, Managing Environmental Resources, Mathematics, Physics (at least one of Mathematics or Physics or Chemistry is desirable).

  • Applicants to degree programmes in Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy or Statistics are required to have Mathematics at B or above. 
  • For entry to Computing Science, Electronic & Software Engineering, Mobile Software Engineering or Software Engineering applicants must have Higher Mathematics at B or Higher Mathematics at C together with Higher Computing Studies or Information Systems at B.
  • Applicants to degree programmes in Chemistry and Physics are normally expected to have a Higher at B or above in that subject.
  • Admission to Astronomy requires Standard Grade Physics at 2. 
  • Applicants to degree programmes in Biology are normally expected to have a Higher in either Biology OR Chemistry. 
  • All Biology students study a minimum level of Chemistry in first year.

A-levels

  • ABB including at least one and preferably two from Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Computing Studies, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Science (Double Syllabus), Statistics, Zoology (at least one of Mathematics or Physics or Chemistry is desirable).
  • Applicants to degree programmes in Computing Science, Electronic & Software Engineering, Mobile Software Engineering, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy or Statistics should normally have A-level Mathematics at B or above.
  • Applicants to degree programmes in Chemistry and Physics are normally expected to have an A-level at B or above in that subject.
  • Admission to Astronomy requires GCSE Physics at B.
  • Applicants to degree programmes in Biology are normally expected to have an AS Level in either Biology OR Chemistry. All Biology students study a minimum level of Chemistry in first year.

European qualifications

Typical entry requirements for European qualifications: ‌ Science European Requirements

Alternative qualifications and notes

  • All applicants to Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Physics, Astronomy, Computing Science, Electronic & Software Engineering or Software Engineering in any college MUST meet the subject requirements listed under Highers or A Levels.
  • HNC/D entry qualifications listed below.
  • Irish Highers: AAAB
  • Pass in Access in Science or Technology courses for first level entry only.
  • Sports Medicine/Physiology & Sports Science/ Physiology, Sports Science & Nutrition: applicants should note that vocational qualifications (eg HNC or HND) involving Sports Therapy or Sports Coaching are not normally considered suitable for admission.
  • International Baccalaureate 32 points
  • European Baccalaureate average of 80% overall with two science subjects.
  • Open University Credits: Pass in Exploring Science (S104); OR pass in Using Maths and Exploring Maths (MS121 and MS221).
  • University of Glasgow’s Department of Adult & Continuing Education Access Course: BBBB.
  • BTEC National Diploma (Applied Science) at grades DDM for all courses but applicants to Maths, Physics, Computing Science, Statistics and Software Engineering must also meet specific subject requirements listed under A-levels.

Applicants to the Joint Honours BSc in Accounting & Applied Mathematics, Accounting & Mathematics, Accounting & Pure Mathematics, Accounting & Statistics, Finance & Applied Mathematics, Finance & Mathematics, Finance & Pure Mathematics and Finance & Statistics will be expected to meet the standard BAcc entry requirements as listed in Entry requirements: Social Sciences.

Veterinary Biosciences (BSc)

Highers

  • ABBB at one sitting, including Chemistry and Biology, with either Physics or Mathematics, together with two Advanced Highers, one of which should be Chemistry or Biology (at grades CC).

It is acceptable to take Chemistry or Biology as a crash Higher in S6 provided grades ABBB are obtained in S5.

A-levels

  • ABB at one sitting: Chemistry and Biology, plus one additional subject.

Alternative qualifications and notes

  • International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with Chemistry and Biology, one of which must be at Higher Level (Grade 5) plus Mathematics or Physics at Standard Level (Grade 5).

Faster route degree entry requirements

Applicants with AAA grades in appropriate Advanced Highers or A-levels, or International Baccalaureate with 6,6,5 at Higher Level in appropriate subjects and at least 38 points overall, will be considered for our Faster Route degree programmes where available. The Scottish Science Baccalaureate with Distinction with appropriate Advanced Higher and Higher subjects will also be considered. See table below.

Admission with Higher National Qualifications

We welcome applications from applicants with appropriate Higher National Certificates or Diplomas. Experience of students admitted with these qualifications in the past has allowed us to identify specific requirements for admission to first or second year that are likely to lead to successful completion of a degree programme. Applicants admitted with an HNC/D are normally expected to select their subject of study based on the main subject of their HN qualification, where appropriate.

Admission to first year

An HNC in a relevant subject with A in the Graded Unit (or Integrative Assessment) is acceptable for admission to the first year of a degree programme in Science, subject to meeting any specific subject requirements. In practice, this mainly concerns admission to Computing Science and Software Engineering where Higher Mathematics (or equivalent) at grade B is required in addition to a relevant HNC. Please discuss any requirements with Clare Grant (email: clare.grant@glasgow.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)141 330 5164). The HNC qualifications that we regard as relevant for admissions purposes include

  • Applied Sciences
  • Bioscience
  • Computing   

This is not an exhaustive list and reflects the HNC qualifications most frequently offered by new Science entrants in recent years. The specific degree programmes to which these courses would admit an applicant are listed below.
We will consider HN qualifications other than those listed but would review these on an individual basis. In assessing applications, we not only look for specific subject knowledge for admission to a particular programme but we also consider the possible curriculum of an HNC entrant, once admitted to Science, where all students are required to study three subjects in first year. We wish to ensure the best possible match for you.
For further information on the status of any particular HNC for entry to Science, consult Clare Grant (email: clare.grant@glasgow.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)141 330 5164).

Admission to second year

Admission to second year with a relevant HND may be possible with a B in Graded Unit 1, and an A in Graded Unit 2. (If the HND is comprised of three Graded Units a B in Graded Unit 1 and AB or BA in Graded Units 2 and 3. Alternatively, 4 Merits or specified grades in Integrative Assessments in the second year of the qualification.) The specific grades required for entry are listed below against the degree programmes to which the HND would admit an applicant.

The HND qualifications that we regard as relevant for admissions purposes include

  • Applied Biological Sciences   
  • Applied Chemistry
  • Applied Sciences
  • Applied Bioscience   
  • Biomedical Sciences   
  • Biotechnology
  • Computing: Software Development
  • Environmental Sciences

As noted above, this is not an exhaustive list and is a reflection of the HND qualifications that have gained admission to Science for recent applicants.

For further information on the status of any particular HND for entry to the second year of a degree, please consult Clare Grant (email: clare.grant@glasgow.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)141 330 5164).   

HNC/D in Applied Biological Sciences, Applied Bioscience, Applied Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, would be a relevant qualification for the following BSc or MSci degrees

  • Anatomy
  • Animal Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Biomolecular Sciences
  • Biotechnology
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Genetics
  • Human Biology
  • Immunology
  • Infection Biology
  • Marine & Freshwater Biology
  • Medical Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular & Cellular Biology
  • Neuroinformatics#
  • Neuroscience
  • Parasitology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Physiology & Psychology
  • Physiology & Sports Science
  • Physiology, Sports Science & Nutrition
  • Plant Science
  • Sports Medicine
  • Sports Science
  • Virology
  • Zoology

# This degree is a combination of Computing Science and Physiology so grade B in Higher Mathematics (or equivalent) is required. Admission to second year is not normally possible.

Admission to second year with an HND would require 4 Merits or AB in the Integrative Assessments or Graded Units in the second year of the qualification.

Admission with Higher National Qualifications

HNC in Applied Sciences would be relevant for the following BSc or MSci degrees

  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
  • Chemistry with Forensic Studies

Admission to first year only with a A in the Graded Unit or Integrative Assessments.

HND in Chemistry would be relevant for the following BSc or MSci degrees

  • Biological Sciences subjects (as listed above)#
  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
  • Chemistry with Forensic Studies

# Admission to first year only. 

Admission to second year with an HND would require B in the Graded Unit 1 and an A in Graded Unit 2 (or AB in the Integrative Assessments or 4 Merits in the second year of the qualification).

HNC Computing and HNC Games Development would be relevant for the following BSc or MSci degrees

  • Computing Science#
  • Software Engineering#

# Grade B in Higher Mathematics (or equivalent) required for admission to first year.

First level entry: Revised HNC Computing (2004) subject to successful completion of the unit Mathematics for Computing 1 (or Higher Mathematics at B or above) and a A in the Graded Unit. Revised HNC Games Development (2005) subject to successful completion of the module ‘Calculus and Matrices for Computing’ (or Higher Mathematics at B or above) and a A in the Graded Unit. Applicants with other HN qualifications or grades will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

HND Computing: Software Development would be relevant for the following BSc or MSci degrees

  • Computing Science#
  • Software Engineering#

# Grade B in Higher Mathematics (or equivalent) required.
Second level entry: Revised HND Computing: Software Development (2005) subject to successful completion of the unit Mathematics for Computing 2 (or Higher Mathematics at B or above) and an ‘AA’ in the Graded Units (or 4 Merits or AA in the Integrative Assessments in the second year of the qualification).