BSc Plant Sciences with Placement Year

This course will give you an in-depth insight into fundamental plant biology. You’ll explore photosynthesis, the genetics of disease resistance and the conservation of plant diversity. As part of your degree you’ll have the opportunity to do a year-long, paid work placement. This will enhance your understanding of how we can harness plant technology to solve global food and energy shortages, mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, and develop sustainable and green technologies.

Our students have found placements within industry with organisations such as GSK, Atkins Environmental Consulting and EMEC Ecology; with charities like the Wildlife Trusts, Newquay Zoo, and the Field Studies Council; or in government with the Environment Agency. You could even apply your scientific knowledge and transferable skills within or outside of the bioscience industry in areas such as market research, communications or business development. A placement is a great opportunity to test out a career path and many students are offered a graduate-level job at the end. You'll pay reduced fees for the year you're on placement and you'll still have the support you need from your tutor and the University.

During your time at Sheffield you’ll cover two main themes:

Alongside your specialist plant science modules, you’ll have the freedom to study topics across the breadth of biology to complement your knowledge. Topics range from molecular genetics, developmental biology and biochemistry, to evolution, zoology and physiology. This flexibility allows you to study plant sciences in greater depth from a range of perspectives, broaden your interests or even switch to another biosciences degree.

No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop the practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.

Whether you choose to focus solely on plant sciences, or study a range of topics across the biosciences, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.