A broad and dynamic course that teaches from the molecular level right up to whole ecosystem interactions.
Here are some general resources related to Biology.
Overview 🔗 The university applications page for Biology covers requirements, funding and careers, and the structure of the course (although this version of the course is still new so may be less specific).
Departmental Website 🔗 This is the official Faculty webpage for prospective undergraduates, which links to various resources. The course overview 🔗 🌟 is particularly useful for a more detailed degree structure, including a good video that briefly covers student’s perceptions of the course and their interviews for Biology. It also contains a list of colleges that offer Biology, with links to their external websites.
Alternative Prospectus 🔗 Some elements may relate to an outdated course structure, but the FAQ section has some particularly useful advice.
The course has recently been revamped into a 4-year MBiol degree, although progression to the final research project year is conditional on previous good grades and you can leave after 3 years with a BA if you want. The first year is all compulsory, but there is an increasing opportunity to specialise as the degree progresses. There is a strong research skills focus, with labs, computer, and synthesis classes alongside your tutorials and lectures.
Day in the Life video 🔗 🌟 This video provides a useful account of a typical day in the life of an Oxford Biology student. Several Biology students regularly post YouTube videos, like this one by Eduardo 🔗. Please note that these students are taking a slightly older version of the Biology course, so may have a different structure and weekly timetable to the course currently being offered.
Interview with a Biology student 🔗 🌟 This short video by St John's College talks to a current Biology student about their experience of the course.
Oxford Podcasts 🔗 These are recorded by the actual tutors you’ll be taught by if your application is successful, so it might be helpful to get interested in these and listen to some current research areas. In particular, try this series called 'Back Garden Biology' 🔗 🌟
Biology, Chemistry or Biochemistry podcast 🔗 🌟 Anyone uncertain about which course to choose at Oxford might benefit from this podcast comparing Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry - some information will be slightly out of date, since it was published in 2013, and now all 3 of these subjects are offered as integrated masters degrees, but the foundations of them remain the same.
Suggested reading list 🔗 🌟 Balliol College Oxford has compiled a list of books, which is a great place to start if you want to read some popular biology books. There are some particularly useful recommendations for books on evolutionary biology, which is an overarching theme of the Biology degree at Oxford.
Mock interview 🔗 🌟 The department has provided a 30-minute video of a mock interview for Biology with an undergraduate student.
Interview at Somerville College 🔗 This is another mock interview with a tutor at Somerville College (these are also good to get an idea of tutorial-style teaching!)
InsideUni Biology interview experiences 🔗 🌟 Current students talk about their interview experience, as well as sharing some tips. We’re biased, but we think they’re useful!