Biology
Biology is a rapidly developing subject that is preoccupied with the study of living things.
Below you will find information about the specific degree course offered by Oxford University to study Biology, how to prepare, and how Oxbridge Interviews can help you with your application.
BOOK COURSECambridge University do not offer a degree in straight Biology. The core sciences degree is Natural Sciences.
Oxford University's Biology course is three years with the option to extend to four years for a Master's degree.
The application process is highly competitive with only 18% of applications successful. To be offered a place, you generally need to get A*AA at A Level (or equivalent) and Biology and either Chemistry, Physics or Maths are required subjects.
To prepare for your Biology application, you must demonstrate your motivation for the subject and specific interests. You can do this by reading beyond your school curriculum. Our interviewers recommend:
- 'The Human Brain: A Guided Tour' by S. Greenfield
- 'The Language of Genes' by S. Jones
Practice interviews for Biology applications are critical. You wouldn’t sit an exam without doing a mock, so don’t place yourself in an interview without having experienced a practice interview first.
Izzy (Biological Natural Sciences, Cambridge & PHD Oxford)
Izzy studied Biological Natural Sciences at Homerton College, Cambridge. She completed a PHD at Oxford University in Plant Microbiology and now works as a forestry policy advisor in the Civil Service.
Q&A
Izzy, how did you prepare for your application?
'My school didn't get many people into Oxbridge, and so I didn't have much support from my teachers. Luckily, I ended up at a couple of events (like Universities Fairs) where there were talks about Oxbridge applications and how to prepare for them. For me the best preparation is to find an area of science that you love, and look for books or magazines to read about it. This gives you something to talk about in your personal statement/interview; and when you talk about something you are passionate about, it shows.'
What would you have done differently?
'Tried to have a practice interview to help to know what to expect.'
There are no written admissions test as part of the application process for Biology at Oxford.