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How to become a Biologist / Biotechnologist

Studies living things - genetics, microbes, ecosystems, biotechnology.

What does a Biologist / Biotechnologist actually do?

More about this career

Studies living things at every scale, from genes and microbes to whole ecosystems – “biotechnologist” specifically means using living systems to make products: medicines, biofuels, better crops. Where you end up (research lab, agriculture, pharma, conservation) depends heavily on which specialisation you choose from third year onward.

Where this degree can take you

  • Microbiologist
  • Geneticist
  • Biotechnology Researcher
  • Lab Technologist

This is our general description of the role and related jobs, not from an official source – it’s here to give you a fuller picture, not as a careers-counselling guarantee.

Not from an official source

Subjects that usually help

  • Mathematics
  • Life Sciences
  • Physical Sciences

This is our general guidance about which school subjects suit this career. It is not an admission requirement and not from an official source – the real requirements are on the degrees below.

Not from an official source

Where to check this yourself

What the degrees we’ve captured actually ask for

  • Mathematics – asked for by 6 of 6 degrees
  • Physical Sciences – asked for by 4 of 6 degrees
  • Life Sciences – asked for by 1 of 6 degrees

Counted from the requirements below (an “or” alternative counts for each subject named). Each degree links to the page it came from.

Degrees that lead here

6 degrees at 4 universities. More are added as we verify them.

Rhodes University

BSc

Science · 3 years

Rhodes points 45 points

  • English: 60% if it is your Home Language, 65% if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 4 (50% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more) OR Life Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Life Orientation: level 4 (50% or more)

Rhodes points of 39-44 are considered at the Dean’s discretion; 45 or more receives a provisional offer. We show 45 as the qualifying number so that "you qualify" means exactly that - but you are still worth an application from 39. Rhodes has no Engineering and no MBChB. The NBT is recommended, not required. Life Orientation is not scored, but you need at least 50% in it.

Source: View the official page (ru.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Stellenbosch University

Selection programme

BSc Human Life Sciences

Science · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher. Mathematics of 60% or 70% is required depending on which first-year Mathematics module you take.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Selection programme

BSc Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

Science · 3 years

Stellenbosch aggregate 65 %

  • Mathematics: 60%
  • Physical Sciences: 50%

Every Stellenbosch programme is a selection programme. The figures shown are the published minimum requirements - the actual selection threshold is usually higher. Mathematics of 60% or 70% is required depending on which first-year Mathematics module you take.

Source: View the official page (files.su.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of Pretoria

BSc Biological Sciences (Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology)

Natural & Agricultural Sciences

UP APS 32 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • Physical Sciences: level 5 (60% or more)

Most UP closing dates are 30 June; Veterinary Science closes 31 May. Grade 12 applicants apply with their final Grade 11 results.

Source: View the official page (drupalwebprod-files.up.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

University of the Witwatersrand

BSc (General)

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 42 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • NBT – The NBT is required for Science.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

From an older document

BSc Biological Sciences

Science · 3 years

Wits APS 43 points

  • English: level 5 if it is your Home Language, level 5 if it is your First Additional Language
  • Mathematics: level 5 (60% or more)
  • NBT – The NBT is required for Science.

This figure comes from the Wits schools-liaison Grade 12 guide, which is headed for 2026 entry. We have not yet found a 2027 course-finder page confirming it, so treat it as the most recent official figure rather than a confirmed 2027 one.

Source: View the official page (wits.ac.za) (opens the official page) · 2027 intake

Are your marks enough?

Put your subjects in once and we’ll check them against every degree above – scored each university’s own way.

What do I qualify for?