Year 3 Transition - Junior Honours

The information below is also available in our Programme Guide.

Programme Guides

Year 3 students must take 120 credits of courses at level 9 or above, to include at least 80 credits from Biological Sciences specified courses, as detailed in the Programme Guide. 

• At least 60 credits from level 9 Biological Sciences courses.  
• And a further 20 credits from level 9 Biological Sciences courses and/or Biological Sciences specified courses from the Deanery of Biomedical Sciences (detailed in the Programme Guide).  

For the remaining 40 credits we recommend that students choose further level 9 Biological Sciences courses. Alternatively, students may choose any level 9 or 10 non-biology courses, including Geoscience or Biomedical Sciences courses, if you wish.  

Course Options and Advice

When choosing courses, students must take the courses that are required for your intended Honours programme.  

All Honours programmes specify:  

• Required Year 3 courses that must be taken and passed.  
• Recommended Year 3 courses – these would provide valuable background to prepare for the final year.  

Choosing Recommended Courses 

Where possible, students should choose recommended courses to complement the required courses.  

These courses might also allow changing to another programme, should students change their mind about honours programmes during Year 3.  

Student Advisers will help and advise, and make sure that options can be kept open if needed.  

Changing Semester 2 Courses 

During Semester 1, some students change their minds about Semester 2 course choices. This should be discussed with your Student Adviser in the first instance, and also please let the BTO know as soon as possible - by the end of Semester 1 if possible. Planning is easier if we are informed early.  You must ensure that if you change a course, you still meet the requirements for your programme.

Note: you cannot change a full year course after Week 2 of Semester 1.  

Entry into Senior Honours is criteria-based. Towards the end of Year 3, we will ask for elective choices for the final year. Progression into Year 4 is automatic if the following criteria are met:  

• Students have taken and passed all the required Year 3 courses.  
• Students have achieved 360 credits (of which 120 credits are SCQF levels 9/10).

Note: Progression into Senior Honours is still possible if students have failed up to 40 credits of level 9 courses if:  

• There is an average of 40% from your level 9 courses  .
• All the required Year 3 courses for your honours programme have been passed. All marks from level 9/10 courses taken in Year 3 will contribute towards Classification.  

Programme changes are only permitted if all the courses required for the new programme have been taken and passed, and with the permission of the Progression Board (chaired by the Director of Teaching). 

It is possible to apply to study abroad in Year 3. You will need to apply during Semester 1 of year 2, information will be shared with all students by email and there is usually a School information session held in October. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.

Study Abroad