Joint 6th in the UK
for student satisfaction with the quality of teaching in the subject area of Biological Sciences.
Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2025
Overview
Our Plant Science course is designed to give you an in-depth understanding of the latest concepts in genetics, plant breeding, gene mapping, plant physiology, and data analysis.
You'll develop your practical skills in our specialist laboratories and have the opportunity to broaden your experience by interacting with a range of employers in the field, such as major local growers, and advisory companies, such as the Fruit Advisory Services Team (FAST), at Brogdale.
You’ll gain the skills to collect and analyse scientific data independently, leading you towards an independent research project in your final year, where you can research a topic of your own choice. You’ll also have the chance to get involved with research being undertaken in a variety of core topics specifically relevant to animal biology, physiology and ecology.
Our friendly and supportive team has an open-door policy and is ready to support and advise you throughout your studies.
Entry requirements
Qualification type |
Grades |
|
A Levels |
BBC |
|
BTEC |
DMM |
|
Access |
15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
|
International Baccalaureate |
29 Points |
|
Combinations |
A combination of qualifications totalling 112 UCAS points |
GCSE English or IELTS equivalent, GCSE maths, and 112 UCAS points, ideally including at least two grade C/level 4 at A level in two science subjects, preferably biology and chemistry.
Find out more information about entry requirements.
If you have any questions about entry requirements for this course, please contact our Course Enquiry Team.
International students
Find more information on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requirements on our website.
Depending which country you're from, there may be specific entry requirements. Check your country to see if this is applicable to you.
112
UCAS Points
Module information
As well as the core modules, you may also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules in your second and third year. Option modules will not be pre-selected for you. We provide examples of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. The offer of an option will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module to ensure the appropriate student experience. The offer of option modules may also be affected by staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular optional module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through a combination of blended learning with workshops, laboratory practicals, field visits and seminars.
Workshops will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will meet with your Personal Academic Tutor at least once each semester, but you are encouraged to arrange additional meetings as required.
You will use industry-standard software. You will also have access to specialist facilities and equipment throughout your course.
In the final year, you will conduct an independent research project that can cater to your particular interests and skills development. You will be supervised by a member of our academic team and guided in undertaking independent research, data analysis and presentation of your results. Depending on the topic of your project, you may also have the opportunity to collaborate with an industry partner on an industry-relevant research project.
Your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select.
When not attending workshops, practical sessions or other timetabled activities, you will continue learning through self-study that will be structured for you by the module leader for each module. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, engaging with online learning materials (videos, quizzes etc.), undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For the Honours Project module in the final year, you will undertake independent research. You will work under the supervision of a member of our academic team, with support of other members of the teaching team where necessary. You will meet with your supervisor regularly.
The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience.
All our team members hold doctoral and teaching qualifications. They are research-active. They have experience in delivering research-informed teaching. You should note members of the teaching team might change.
Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.
Science is all about playful juggling with ideas and trying to find and explain the unknown in our quest to generate new knowledge and ensure the survivability of our future generations. Recent developments in plant genetics research have opened up many new Pandora's Boxes of pleasurable confusions and possibly new solutions to develop new and resilient crop plants which could withstand harsh environmental conditions to meet our growing food demands.
Dr Naeem SyedPlant Science Lecturer
How you’ll be assessed
The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
There is also a formal or 'summative' assessment element for each of the modules. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments, such as laboratory reports, literature reviews, skills assessments, presentations and your final year major project. Some modules also have a formally assessed exam. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
Typically, there will be two coursework assessments weighted at 50% each and a practical skills portfolio. Some modules from Level 5 onward will have an exam that replaces the 50% piece of coursework.
Feedback
You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module leader or personal academic tutor.
We aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of hand-in (formal coursework assessment).
100% Coursework
Your future career
Your time at Canterbury Christ Church University will allow you to develop the analytical skills and give you the confidence to embark on one of the many interesting career opportunities that exist in the plant science industry, in plant research as well as in biotechnology companies more generally. Alternatively, you may wish to undertake a Master's or PhD.
Plant-based enterprises are in great need of well-trained knowledgeable plant science professionals.
Dr Carol TrimPrincipal Lecturer
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.
Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Industry Links
This course is associated with the University’s Life Sciences Industry Liaison Lab at Discovery Park, Sandwich. Here you’ll have the opportunity to undertake laboratory work and be encouraged to broaden your experience by interacting and collaborating with a range biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
"Venomtech have been very impressed with our partners at Canterbury Christ Church University, this partnership has enabled us to progress projects much faster than we could on our own. This includes being able to generate novel data on the use of our products through student projects, advancing research into new antibiotics and cancer therapies from venoms and increasing the understanding of invertebrate welfare. Generation of this proof of concept data has, and continues to have, a positive influence with our potential customers and therefore our business. I also impart my 10+ years industrial drug discovery experience directly to the students as part of the Drug Discovery and Development module.
As a science employer in the area, Venomtech benefit greatly from being directly involved in the curriculum to make sure the new graduates have the skills useful to employers. This includes an understanding of applied drug discovery that will make CCCU graduates stand out from others in job interviews.”
Steve Trim, CEO, Venomtech Ltd
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
C200Location(s):
CanterburyAny questions?
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