
Secondary Science (Biology) with QTS - BSc (Hons) *
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry. Switch to 2023/24 Entry
If you have a passion for Biological Sciences, inspiring and educating young learners, and want the best possible career opportunities after graduating, then this is the course for you.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City South
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Education and Social Work
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
This course is:
Overview
The Department for Education (DfE) is introducing new requirements for initial teacher training delivered by all accredited providers from September 2024, which means the course information below is likely to change. Check www.bcu.ac.uk/courses for the latest updates.
If you have a passion for Biological Sciences, inspiring and educating young learners, and want the best possible career opportunities after graduating, then this is the course for you.
What's covered in this course?
The School of Education and Social Work has a strong partnership across a diverse range of secondary schools within the West Midlands. Located in the heart of the West Midlands, you will gain practical experience in a range of schools with a rich variety of cultural and linguistic influences, religious beliefs and social diversity. The Department of Life Sciences, part of the School of Health Sciences, is committed to delivering high-quality, research-informed teaching in a range of biology and life science fields alongside a developing Life Sciences research portfolio. Staff have expertise in a range of disciplines which will support your scientific development and prepare you for professional practice as a science educator.
The course offers you the chance to gain the professional qualification of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as well as a degree, helping you walk into your dream job as a secondary school teacher immediately after graduating from university.
You will also benefit from the unique and strong partnership between biology educators and subject specialists who are at the forefront of practice in their fields.
If you have any questions about this courses please email: UGSecondarySLT@bcu.ac.uk.
Why Choose Us?
- Develop in-depth subject knowledge and train to teach all in three years, saving a year of study (and fees) compared to the usual three- year degree plus one year of postgraduate teacher training.
- You’ll be taught at our City South Campus, which is home to state-of-the-art facilities including Secondary Science Labs and Biomedical Science Labs.For the science modules, you will be taught alongside students studying BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences.
- In each year you’ll spend time in a range of local secondary schools on professional placements, equipping you with a wealth of practical experience to develop you as a biology teacher, working in partnership with experienced school subject mentors.
- We meet the Department for Education's (DfE) Criteria for Initial Teacher Training and successful candidates on our Initial Teacher Training courses will be recommended to the DfE for Qualified Teacher Status.
- You will have 15 days across the course duration allocated for enrichment blocks to allow you gain Key Stage Two, special educational needs (SEN), and post-16 experience.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person, hear from our trailblazing academics and explore our innovative £340m facilities.
Next Open Day: 30 September 2023
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
If your Level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Education and Social Work Foundation Year instead. This course offers an alternative pathway onto our Teacher Training/Social Work courses. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff. Find out more about the Foundation Year.
Essential Requirements
112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
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Level 2 qualifications | ||
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GCSE | GCSE English Language, GCSE Maths and GCSE Science at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. | |
Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) | See level 3 entry requirements under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details. | |
Scottish National 5 | English Language, Maths and Science at grade C or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests. | |
Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications | ||
A level and Advanced VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland) |
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NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce |
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Diploma in Higher Education (Dip HE) |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
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Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels |
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Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) |
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Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component |
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Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. IELTS: Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no subtest below 5.5. Candidates who have undertaken IELTS will also need to successfully pass our GCSE English equivalency test. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).
In addition successful candidates will be required to successfully complete an Occupational Health and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance via the Faculty.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2024/25
- Apply via UCAS
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £16,085 in 2024/25
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Our advice for applying to a health care course
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental chemical and molecular reactions that occur within living organisms. The aim of this module is to introduce the biochemical reactions that occur within the human body, framed in the context of human health and disease. There are 5 broad themes in biochemistry that will be covered throughout the module:
- Properties of water, pH and buffers.
- Protein structure and function
- Nucleosides and nucleotides
- Carbohydrates and lipids
- Enzymes and Metabolism
This module will introduce you to key cellular and sub-cellular concepts associated with biomedical sciences. You will encounter the cell as the fundamental, yet dynamic, unit of life. The module aims to describe the relationship between structure and function, and how the characteristics of cells facilitate their activities and allow them to contribute to the activity of tissues. You will develop a detailed and in-depth understanding of why and how cells behave as they do, both on their own, and as part of a tissue in a living organism.
This module covers the main themes and laboratory techniques in cellular biology, and alongside the Biochemistry module (level 4) prepares you for the Introduction to Human Physiology level 4 module, the Blood Science and Clinical Biochemistry and Cellular Analysis level 5 modules, and the Molecular Basis of Disease and Pathophysiology level 6 modules.
This module will provide you with the essential knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and physiology of principal human organ systems. You will begin by developing an understanding of how physiological systems are maintained within normal parameters, called homeostasis. The physiological and scientific principles underlying all the major human organ systems will then be covered. There will be an emphasis on the relationship between structure and function and on cause-and-effect mechanisms, integrating comparisons between healthy and disease states. Clinical examples of disease will it be used to underline physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms.
This module introduces students to the fundamentals of the microbial world. Students need to understand the important principles of how microorganisms function and survive before advancing to the topics where we explore the roles of microorganisms in disease.
The module is designed to be challenging and thought-provoking by the inclusion of contemporary topics that feature heavily in the news and in daily life as well as addressing issues that are potentially life-threatening. Importantly, topics are also discussed that illustrate the importance of the microorganisms associated with the human body in maintaining a healthy state. Moreover, the module also examines how our lifestyles can affect the microbes associated with our bodies and how this may impact on human health for example, obesity and diabetes.
*Microbiology is a pre-requisite for the Yr 2 Level 5 Infectious disease module
This module aims to build your knowledge, understanding and skills within the physical sciences to support your training in teaching across the science disciplines within secondary schools. Using the context of the school science curriculum, this module provides opportunities for you to apply your newly acquired subject knowledge to the creation of learning resources, artefacts or activities within a sequence of learning appropriate for the school curriculum in chemistry or physics.
The role of this module is to encourage you to consider in-depth your first experiences of your subject in your placement school. It will enable you to understand the complexity of the teacher’s role and the importance of adopting a professional stance at all times. You will understand the importance of an effective learning environment where all pupils feel safe and can develop to their full potential. It will provide you with practical strategies to support you in managing pupils’ behaviour within the context of your subject specialism.
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time, this module, Professional Practice 1, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to meet the professional standards and expectations of teaching through observation and practical experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Disruption of normal cellular and biochemical processes has an impact on an individual’s health and wellbeing. In this module, you will investigate cellular and tissue function, and assess the investigative methods used for determining abnormalities at a biochemical and cellular level. These will include biochemical methods for detection of biological molecules.
The module aims to bring together the ability to represent data in an appropriate manner and assess the impact on an individual’s health. This will allow the information to be presented in a case specific manner, and information tailored to explain a specific individual and their health, and where appropriate to diagnose and monitor conditions. This will look at the principles of tests to investigate and determine the function and dysfunction of organs and systems and the changes seen in disease.
This module will build on the knowledge and skills developed at level 4 and will explore the scientific foundations of pharmacology. You will use this underpinning knowledge to examine how the pharmaceutical industry designs and develops novel drug entities to treat the underlying pathophysiology of common diseases.
This module will build upon the level 4 Microbiology module, by introducing you to the different types of microorganisms that infect humans and cause disease. One of the critical issues in clinical microbiology is the speed of reporting results of tests as some infections are potentially life threatening. You therefore review some of the important and time-saving techniques and how they are beginning to replace traditional cultural methods. You will also examine antibiotic-sensitivity testing and different ways this can be accomplished. Treating the human body as a series of systems, you will examine the barriers to prevent infections and how pathogens have evolved ways to circumvent these obstacles.
This module provides the opportunity for you to construct a learning episode that demonstrates your accurate understanding of selected key concepts in the physical sciences as they are taught in schools. You will be able to identify key concepts in chemistry and/or physics and will develop your skills in making the key concept accessible to learners, including how to relate subject content to interactive, engaging learning.
This module, Subject Studies, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore the nature of your specialist subject in the context of learning and teaching in the secondary school. The module provides substantial support for your professional practice in school, applied through the professional practice modules. This module provides a strong philosophical underpinning to your awareness of the importance of your specialist subject in the secondary school curriculum. By undertaking this module you will be shaping your own rationale for your approach to the teaching of your specialist subject, and to meeting the needs of the learners as they move through the secondary school phase.
This module refers to the wider inclusion agenda, rather than just pupils with special education needs or disabilities. It considers the barriers to learning that pupils may have within the subject specialism, and specific classroom approaches or interventions that can be used to address these barriers.
This module will provide opportunities for you to progress from professional practice 1, by support you in embedding and enhancing your classroom practice as evidenced by the teaching standards. During your placement, you will consider the wider area of inclusion and how, in your subject specialism, specific classroom approaches can be developed to address the many barriers to learning that pupils hold.
Year Three
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
An understanding of a disease at the cellular and molecular level is important for those working in the biomedical sciences. This module is designed to explore the molecular, biochemical and cellular changes in human disease and how this has contributed to the development of novel diagnostic tools and of knowledge-based treatment strategies. It will also provide you critical-thinking skills to explore human health and diseases through reference to primary research articles, and reviews.
This module aims to look at the conditions that are known to be the main cause of morbidity and mortality nationally and globally according to the Office of National Statistics and the World Health organisation. It is important that individuals are able to recognise key symptoms of the condition and the underpinning physiology accounting for these changes. They should also be able to identify key literature about the incidence, treatment and prevention of the disease from the literature.
The World Health Organisation stated recently that “There is ample evidence that pinpoints to neurological disorders as one of the greatest threats to public health”. This module is designed to introduce you into the exciting world of neuroscience, by giving you a clear understanding of basic principles of neuronal (inter)action, learning and memory, emotion and motivation, necessary for your contribution to research in brain disorders like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s’ disease, epilepsy, dementia, anxiety and depression.
This module will build upon the basic understanding obtained in the modules, Introduction to Human physiology, Fundamentals of Cell biology, Pharmacology and Research methods, and will equip you to critically appraise recent developments in brain disease research across all levels of analysis, and evaluate various exciting therapeutic approaches.
This module will allow you to actively examine your professional practice in the workplace and to develop a reflective approach to personal development. Through studying it, you will further develop your practice-based enquiry skills. Increasing importance is placed on evidence-based enquiry to inform professional development in education.
This module, The Professional Teacher, provides opportunities for you as a trainee teacher to explore and understand in practical terms the meaning of professionalism in the context of your subject specialism. You will understand the holistic and positive role of a teacher and the practices and policies of the education framework in which you operate. Implicit in this will be the development of your understanding of how children learn in your subject (pedagogy) and how this is organised, delivered and measured in the current range of school systems.
Working in partnership with schools over a sustained period of time in school, this module, Professional Practice 3, enables you to build on and demonstrate your mastery and achievement of the professional standards and expectations of teaching through practical, school-based experience. You will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced teachers and other education professionals to develop your knowledge, understanding and skill in the classroom and the wider school environment.
Download course specification
Download nowCourse overview
The BSc (Hons) Secondary Science (Biology) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) trains you to:
- Teach your subject in secondary schools within the age range 11-16 with post-16 enhancement.
- Develop the subject knowledge required to teach all the sciences up to GCSE within secondary schools and sixth-form colleges.
- Develop the skills required to become a subject specialist in biology within secondary education.
- Work in a wide variety of schools and science departments to develop as a biology subject specialist
Within this course, you will be studying with our current undergraduate biomedical science students in completing your subject specialism following the same suite of modules. In addition, you will develop your skills in teaching your subject within secondary education by working within local and regional school science departments as part of the professional placement component of this course. As a result, you will not only have the subject knowledge required for a science undergraduate degree, but successful completion will result in the University recommending to the relevant professional body, for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is the recognised professional award required by all those who wish to teach in a secondary school in England and Wales.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
We will support you in the transition to university through a careful induction process, confidence building activities, group work and a carefully planned programme with a range of formative and summative assessments.
Your programme will be interactive, practical, engaging, thought provoking and challenging and is designed to promote independence so that you become a confident, committed and creative teacher ready to join the teaching profession.
On the programme you will experience a variety of learning and teaching approaches that focus on modelling good practice and these will include: workshops, conferences, lectures, seminars, a range of guest speakers, visits to schools/settings and other sites as well as a range of practical teaching experiences.
The content of the programme is research led, innovative and responsive to the educational climate to enable you to develop your subject and pedagogical knowledge and apply it in the classroom.
Placements
We have developed a shared vision for educational excellence with the schools in our partnership. You will benefit from working with and learning from outstanding classroom teachers in schools and at University. Working in schools with teachers and pupils is key to you becoming a committed, creative and confident teacher.
School placements increase in length over the three years of your course to ensure you complete the minimum of 120 days required to build your teaching experience and gather evidence that you meet the requirements for QTS. The placement aspect of this course is non-credit bearing.
The Department for Education's Teacher Standards will be assessed through the school-based training modules. Showing evidence of meeting these Standards will allow you to be recommended for the award of QTS at the end of your course.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our facilities
Our School of Education and Social Work is based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
We’ve spent £41million expanding the education facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice. Alongside classrooms and lecture theatres, we also have a range of specialist teaching and learning spaces for specific subjects including science, design and technology, drama and physical education.
As well as subject-specific rooms, our facilities include the Primary Innovation Lab, which houses £24,000 worth of LEGO. This room is a special resource for our education students, offering an innovative and creative way to approach subjects across the curriculum – from computing to English, mathematics to art. The lab responds to research that children and young people learn best from practical experience.
Our Social Work students have access to a home environment room and mock hospital wards which offer an opportunity to gain experience of working with service users in different situations.
Computer facilities
The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.
Our staff
Grant Huddleston
Course Leader BA/BSc Hons. Secondary Education (QTS) courses, and Senior Lecturer in Physical Education
Grant is the course leader for the BA/BSc Hons. Secondary Education (QTS) courses and a senior lecturer in Physical Education. When starting at Birmingham City University in 2017, Grant was the subject leader for Physical Education, working across primary and secondary education on the BA (QTS) Primary Education, PGCE Primary Education (QTS), and...
More about GrantHelen Thomas BSc, PGCE, PGCert(HE), MA Ed, CPhys, MInstP, FHEA
PGCE Subject Route Leader for the Sciences and Senior Lecturer in Science Education
Helen taught science and physics in particular for 17 years in schools, 6th form college and FE before joining Birmingham City University. Responsibilities included GCSE Science Course Leader and Head of Physics. Helen's move to the University led from catching the research bug whilst completing a Master's degree combined with being...
More about Helen