I came to Lincoln through clearing not having heard much about the university, and came with an open mind. I studied Biology and gained a diverse range of knowledge about the subject. Practicals were well organised and there was a lot of support available throughout the 3 years, especially for coursework and dissertation. There were opportunities to shape your own experience by choosing modules in the second and third year, and there was also the option of participating in overseas trips. I chose to take this opportunity to do some fieldwork in Africa and it remains one of my favourite experiences to date.

My experience at Lincoln University studying a BSc in Biology was successful and positive. I completed the three-year course in 2018.

Lincoln is a lovely place to live and study, with all amenities nearby and the university within walking distance even from the outskirts of town. The university facilities were fairly new and perfectly satisfactory. The library especially was great for studying and the labs were state-of-the-art.

Typically of a course covering a broad subject matter, the compulsory and optional modules were brilliantly varied- this course is truly what you make of it! It is the perfect degree to discover new and interesting disciplines or to consolidate existing passions and take them further. Despite being undoubtedly challenging I believe that guidance was available for most queries I had about living and studying in Lincoln.

The standout aspect of the three years was my supportive tutor who was always available to advise me on anything from studying for my exams to jobs after university. He instilled in his tutees from day one the importance of good science when producing any piece of coursework, ultimately preparing us perfectly for our third-year dissertation.

Another bonus of the course are the optional trips, of which there is a range to choose from. The 2017 trip to Portugal I attended was a perfect balance of fieldwork and fun, most days feeling like I was just on holiday with friends.

For many compulsory modules, exams made up a large proportion of the grade, which were oftentimes incredibly difficult due to the amount of content condensed down into each one.
Exam periods were very stressful due to the number of exams in the space of a few weeks, often with various formats. My report writing skills were stronger than my examination skills, and this led to my decision to choose modules in my third year that were strictly coursework-based. I appreciated having this option as it felt like I was learning at my own pace rather than cramming during exam season.

My third-year grade was heavily weighted by my independent research dissertation. There were plenty of varied topics to choose from, and original ideas were encouraged. My dissertation involved many hours of independent lab work gathering results, and I feel this was essential to building confidence in my own practical skills, while simultaneously giving me a taster of full-time employment!

I was encouraged to continue further education after my undergraduate degree, and many presentations regarding postgraduate course options were given in my third year. A few talks detailing career options were also given, for example, a recruiter from Reed spoke with us and encouraged me and my course mates to sign up to specialist recruitment sites and I found this very helpful.

This course is best suited for someone committed to a career in academia or research and less suited for those seeking an entry-level graduate job after university.

In order to get the most out of this course, I believe the biology graduate should be committed to standing out from the crowd both during and after their degree; life science placements and jobs can often be very competitive. So with dedication and determination, I do believe that this degree can lead to a career in many different focuses of academia or research, but only if you have a passion for the subject.