When it comes to applying to study biology at university, academic excellence is only part of the picture. With many highly qualified applicants competing for limited places, admissions tutors are looking for more than top grades — they want to see genuine enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, and a sustained commitment to the subject. This is where super-curricular activities make all the difference. Whether it’s exploring popular science books, taking part in fieldwork, completing online courses, or undertaking work shadowing, these experiences allow you to engage with biology beyond the classroom, deepen your understanding, and stand out as a well-rounded and passionate applicant.
1. Listen to podcasts to extend your scientific literacy
- Inside Science: BBC Radio 4 shares the latest news from the science world.
- The Life Scientific: BBC Radio 4 interviews with leading scientists about their life and work.
- SciShow Tangents: Lighthearted chats about scientific research, with the creators of the SciShow YouTube channel.
- The Infinite Monkey Cage: Comedic panel programme hosted by Brian Cox looking at bizarre science questions with scientists and celebrity guests.
- Gresham College Science Lectures: Popular public lectures for the very latest knowledge.
2. Read for wider understanding
- New Scientist Magazine: Weekly coverage of global science news. The e-editions are available to read for free on PressReader if you sign in with your local library card number.
- Nature
- The Ancestor’s Tale by Richard Dawkins and Yan Wong (2016): A reverse journey back through the biochemistry of evolutionary history.
- Y: The Descent of Man by Steve Jones (2002): How molecular, genetic and biochemical mechanisms drive human development.
- Power, Sex and Suicide: Mitochondria and the Meaning of Life by Nick Lane (2005): The surprising importance of energy production to the complexity of living organisms.
- Advice to a Young Scientist by Peter Medawar (1979): Classic outline of the mindset, problem-solving skills and curiosity that will help biomedical research careers.
- Genome: Autobiography of a Species by Matt Ridley (1999): One chapter for each of the 23 chromosomes in human genetics.
- A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford (2016): What our genes tell us about history and human behaviour, and what they don’t.
- The Seven Daughters of Eve by Brian Sykes (1994): Firsthand account of research on the ‘Ice Man’ and how mitochondrial DNA and biochemistry can trace the ancestry of modern Europeans.
- Transformer by Nick Lane (2022): How the living metabolic network is ‘a scientific renaissance hiding in plain sight’.
- Life Ascending by Nick Lane (2009): Ten evolutionary innovations and their legacy today.
- The Eighth Day of Creation by Horace Judson (1979): A classic history of early molecular biology, including personalities, discoveries and techniques.
- What is Life? by Paul Nurse (2020): Fundamental questions answered by a biochemist.
3. Take online courses for academic depth
- Principles of Biochemistry (Harvard University on edX): Comprehensive university-level introduction covering molecular structure, metabolism, enzyme function and cellular processes.
- Biology Everywhere Foundations (University of Colorado Boulder on Coursera): Introduction to Biology as a discipline of enquiry, and its relationship with Chemistry.
4. Subscribe to YouTube channels and watch documentaries for short primers to interesting topics
- SciShow (YouTube channel): Half-hour science explorations that pique your interest.
- The Amoeba Sisters (YouTube channel): Humorous animations to demystify science ten minutes at a time.
- AK Lectures (YouTube channel): The presenter, Andrey, explains key concepts in 10-15 minutes with amazingly detailed notes in the background. There is a playlist of Biology videos specifically.
- Royal Institution Lectures (YouTube channel): Full-length lectures and short films across the sciences and technology.
- The Cell (2009): BBC documentary series exploring how life’s essential processes are powered by complex biochemical reactions.
- Our Secret Universe: The Hidden Life of the Cell (2012): Visual dramatization from inside a human cell, narrated by David Tennant.
5. Enter a competition to inspire your motivation
- British Biology Olympiad: Advanced problem-solving competition for A-Level students in February. Two 45-minute multiple-choice papers on unfamiliar topics. Past papers available on the website.
Biology University Entrance Tuition
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