Biochemistry BSc

Program Overview

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Biochemistry BSc

Key information

Course type: Single honours Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time Required A-level: AAA Full entry requirements, including contextual requirements Duration: Three years, or four years with a year abroad or extra-mural year, or four years with transfer to MSci Biochemistry Application status: Open Start date: September 2025 Application deadline: 29 January 2025 Optional study abroad Optional year in industry Apply via UCAS

Course essentials

On our Biochemistry BSc course you will study all areas of modern biochemistry including: biological chemistry, structural biology and biophysics, metabolism, cell biology, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, immunology and microbiology. This is a subject in which practical skills and the capacity to experiment are vital so, alongside theoretical learning, you will also be trained in laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and presentation. This course forms part of the suite of ‘Common Year 1’ courses within the School of Bioscience Education. These comprise Anatomy, Developmental & Human Biology; Biochemistry; Biomedical Science; Medical Physiology; Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience; Pharmacology. Once you have successfully completed year one, you can choose to switch to another course within this suite. In your second and third years you will focus on applications of biochemistry for understanding human disease, the biochemical and biophysical techniques used in understanding biological processes and the relationship between protein structure and function. In Year 2 you may choose to study abroad at one of our partner institutions for a semester. Alternatively you can extend your degree by studying abroad for a full year between your second and third years, or you can apply to undertake an extra-mural or work placement, usually at a leading biomedicine employer. In your third year there is an opportunity to specialise further and to pursue laboratory and/ or library-based projects in areas of current biomedical research. Alternatively, you can apply to transfer from the three year BSc programme to our four-year Biochemistry MSci course.

Base campuses

• Guy’s Campus: The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, and the Institute of Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.
• Waterloo Campus: Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Special features

• Optional study abroad: On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
• Optional year in industry: On this programme, you’ll spend your third year in a full-time year in industry or year in professional practice placement. Our Global Placements team will support you throughout your programme with advice and activities to help you discover your options, focus your placement search and take action to achieve the right placement for you.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Entry requirements

Subject requirements

• Required subjects: A-level (or equivalent) grade A in Biology and Chemistry
• Preferred subjects: No preferred subjects

A-Levels

• Required grades: AAA
• Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
• Must include grade A in Biology and Chemistry. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

Contextual A-Level information

• AAC Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Must include grade A in Biology and Chemistry. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall or an aggregate score of 18 from three Higher Levels
• Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Biology and Higher Level Chemistry. Note: The total point score of 36 includes TOK/EE.

Contextual International Baccalaureate information

• 33 points overall or an aggregate score of 16 from three Higher Levels. Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Biology and Higher Level Chemistry. Note: The total point score of 33 includes TOK/EE.

Alternative accepted qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma
• BTEC Nationals/CTECs
• Cambridge Pre-U
• European Baccalaureate
• Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Standard requirements

• The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be 60 credits in total.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall: 36 credits must be from units awarded at Distinction, with 9 at Merit. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must include at least 15 Level 3 credits in Biology awarded at Distinction, and at least 15 Level 3 credits in Chemistry awarded at Distinction. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be in a relevant subject - Science or similar - to be considered.

Contextual requirements

• The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be 60 credits in total. Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits overall: 30 credits must be from units awarded at Distinction, with 15 at Merit. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must include at least 15 Level 3 credits in Biology awarded at Distinction, and at least 15 Level 3 credits in Chemistry awarded at Distinction. The Access to Higher Education Diploma must be in a relevant subject - Science or similar - to be considered.

International applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications

English language requirements

• English language band: D
• Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Selection process

• Contextual consideration: We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
• Deferrals: Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
• Foundation courses: Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
• Graduates: Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
• Personal Statement: Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
• Resits: We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.
• Transfers: Transfers into this programme are not permitted.

Teaching & structure

• Teaching methods - what to expect: Lectures, Seminars, Tutorials, Directed self-study, Practical laboratory work
• Assessment: Coursework, Exams, Essays, Presentations, Tests, Reports
• Regulating Body: King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students
• Study Abroad: You will also have the opportunity to study abroad for either a semester in your second year, or for a full year between years 2 and 3. Our partner universities currently include: The University of Melbourne, Australia, National University of Singapore, The University of California, The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
• Year 2 - Extra-Mural Year: Also, you may apply for an extra-mural year, to be taken between the second and third years if selected. Students apply directly to placement providers through a process facilitated by the university. Placements, either in the UK or overseas, may be in a pharmaceutical company, a government research establishment or academic research institute. Placement companies and establishments in the past have included: CIB (Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas), Madrid, Eli Lilly & Company Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline Co. Durham/Stevenage/ Uxbridge, Huntingdon Life Sciences Limited, Imanova Ltd, Imperial College, Life Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Medical Research Council Technology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Novartis Switzerland/UK/USA, NUS Singapore, OSI Prosidion Limited, Pfizer, Pneumolabs UK Limited, Stevenage, St George's, University of London

Structure

• Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits. There are options to switch to other courses in the Bioscience suite after Year 1, or to a four-year MSci after Year 3, both subject to programme regulations. On our BSc programme, you can also choose to study a semester abroad during Year 2 or take either a full year of study abroad or an extra-mural year between Years 2 and 3. If you take a full year abroad, extra-mural year or transfer to the MSci, this will change your programme from a three year programme, to a four year programme.
• Required modules:
  • Biochemistry (15 credits)
  • Chemistry for the Biosciences (15 credits)
  • Genetics and Molecular Biology (15 credits)
  • Cell Biology & Neuroscience (15 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Physiology (15 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Anatomy and Developmental Biology (15 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Pharmacology (15 credits)
  • Skills for the Biosciences (15 credits)
• Optional modules: There are no optional modules for this year.

Employability

• Graduates from the School of Bioscience Education are equipped with a variety of transferable skills including data gathering, analysis and interpretation, presentation skills and teamwork. Our graduates are well-qualified to undertake a wide range of careers or pursue a PhD. Some graduates have continued to study in medicine, dentistry and other related fields including pharmaceutical sciences, cardiovascular pharmacology and biomedical research.
• Destinations: Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies: Research Project Co-ordinators, Food Scientists, Company Managers, Business Analysts, Scientific Copy Editors

Fees & Funding

• Tuition Fees:
  • Full time tuition fees UK: The UK tuition fee for the academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.
  • Full time tuition fees International: The International tuition fee for the academic year is £35,800 per year. Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
• Additional Costs: In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for: Books if you choose to buy your own copies, Clothing for optional course related events and competitions, Library fees and fines, Personal photocopies, Printing course handouts, Society membership fees, Stationery, Graduation costs, Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
• Funding: To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

Program Outline

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Outline:

This program is a three-year BSc course covering all areas of modern biochemistry. It focuses on providing theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for a career in scientific research, along with transferable skills applicable to various fields beyond science. Students can opt for a four-year MSci or choose to study abroad, undertake industry placements, or transfer to other bioscience courses in the first year.

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Year 1: Common Year One Curriculum

• Biochemistry (15 credits)
• Chemistry for the Biosciences (15 credits)
• Genetics and Molecular Biology (15 credits)
• Cell Biology & Neuroscience (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Physiology (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Anatomy and Developmental Biology (15 credits)
• Fundamentals of Pharmacology (15 credits)
• Option to undertake a full year of study abroad between years 2 and 3.

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Year 3:

• Opportunity to specialize further and pursue laboratory/library-based projects in current biomedical research.
• Option to transfer to the four-year Biochemistry MSci program.

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Assessment:

• Combination of coursework and written/practical examinations.
• Forms of assessment may include tests, reports, essays, and presentations.

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Teaching:

• Lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical laboratory work.
• Independent study, including reading, research, and writing assignments.
• Campus locations: Primarily King's College London Guy's and Waterloo Campuses.

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Careers:

• Graduates are well-qualified for a wide range of careers and further studies (Ph.D.).
• Examples of career paths: research project coordinators, food scientists, company managers, business analysts, scientific copy editors, and others in pharmaceutical sciences, cardiovascular pharmacology, and biomedical research.

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Other:

• The program is part of the School of Bioscience Education's suite of Common Year One courses, allowing transfer to other bioscience courses after Year 1.
• Practical modules may have enrollment caps due to educational requirements.

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Full time tuition fees UK: The UK tuition fee for the 2024-25 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap. Full time tuition fees International The International tuition fee for the 2024-2025 academic year is £33,450 per year. Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions. All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling. Students studying an extra-mural year can expect to pay a fee of £1,850 for their year in industry.