Anthony who is studying for a BSC Biology degree, is 33 yrs old and from Llanelli.

Anthony has a great success story to tell as he started his university experience on the Swansea University foundation degree programme which aims to give access to university study to those from less traditional entry backgrounds (ie not straight from A-level).

Anthony has just accepted a PhD offer to start in October in the Institute of Life Science at to study mammalian egg resilience (coincidentally about the same time his daughter will be born!).

During the formal ceremony Anthony was presented with a certificate and had a unique opportunity to meet and network with top bioscience employers and policymakers, academics and graduates from a range of institutions.

The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice for biology: advising Government and influencing policy; advancing education and professional development; supporting our members, and engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences. As a Top Student from an accredited degree, Anthony is now eligible for one year of free membership to the Royal Society of Biology.

Speaking about the receipt of the Award Anthony said:

“I was stunned when I received the invitation to the Degree Accreditation Awards Ceremony as I hadn’t realised that I had been nominated for an award. I was honoured to receive the award not only for myself but also on behalf of Swansea University as they have helped me to achieve the high score for my course.

“ The teaching staff in the Biosciences department have inspired me throughout the degree through the passionate delivery of lectures covering many fascinating topics. The staff have supported me throughout my studies to achieve the best grades I was capable of. The great choice of modules has helped me to develop a keen passion for research as well as many transferrable skills I can use in the future.  I am excited to have been offered a PhD scholarship with the Institute of Life Sciences, due to start in October which will coincide with the expected delivery of my baby daughter. “

Swansea University academics Dr Penny Neyland and Dr Christopher Coates were also present at the parliamentary reception to receive an award from the Royal Society of Biology for the high quality of the University’s bioscience degree programmes.

Swansea University has received accreditation status for six of its biosciences programmes in recognition of the quality biosciences education it delivers. It is only one of 4 institutions across the UK to receive unconditional accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology. 

The RSB Accreditation programme champions excellence in the biosciences, by not only identifying degree programmes that offer a high standard of teaching, curriculum provision and practical skill set development, but also those that enhance graduate employability skills.

For further information about the Royal Society of Biology go to https://www.rsb.org.uk/

For further information about the range of Bioscience courses on offer within the College of Science, Swansea University go to http://www.swansea.ac.uk/biosci/undergraduate/ 

Picture: (left to right) Mark Downs CSci FRSB ( Royal Society of Biology), Dr Christopher Coates, Dr Penny Neyland and Anthony Horlock (all Swansea University).