Biochemistry

Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

Overview

Discover life at its most fundamental level. On this BSc (Hons) Biochemistry degree, accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), you'll learn how biochemists fight disease, edit genomes, understand human and animal development, and apply synthetic biology to current problems in biotechnology.

Key Information

UCAS Code:

C700

Accreditation:

This course is Accredited

Typical Offer:

112-120 UCAS points to include 3 A levels, or equivalent, including Biology or Chemistry, with 40 UCAS points in specific subjects

Course Information

Study Mode and Duration:

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years sandwich with work placement

Start Date:

• September 2025

Entry Requirements

Typical Offer (September 2025 start)

• A levels: BBB-BBC
• UCAS points: 112-120 points to include 3 A levels, or equivalent, including Biology or Chemistry, with 40 points from either A level Biology or Chemistry
• T-levels: Merit. Acceptable T Level Subjects: T Level in Health, T level in Science
• BTECs (Extended Diplomas): DDM-DMM
• International Baccalaureate: 25

English Language Requirements:

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5

Facilities

Biophysical Laboratories

Use professional-standard equipment to explore how the structures and functions of molecules change under different conditions.

Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare

Our multidisciplinary research environment supports the translation of science for societal benefit.

European Xenopus Resource Centre (EXRC)

Discover the world’s largest Xenopus research facility and access different Xenopus specific resources, including antibodies, wild-type strains, DNA resources and egg extracts.

Careers and Opportunities

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry within living things – everything from humans and animals, to plants and cells. It combines biology, chemistry, and molecular analysis to develop new approaches within many scientific fields, including healthcare and medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and the environment.

What Can You Do with a Biochemistry Degree?

There are many career paths a BSc (Hons) Biochemistry degree can lead you to. Previous students have gone on to do valuable work in fields such as industrial research, academic research leading to a PhD, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, science teaching, the health service, and scientific writing and the media.

Graduate Destinations

Organisations our graduates have gone on to work in include Pall Europe, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, MedPharm, and Celgene.

Modules

Year 1

• Biodiversity and Evolution - 20 credits
• Experimental Biology - 20 credits
• Graduate Employability Skills - 20 credits
• Introduction to Cell Biology and Biochemistry - 20 credits
• Microbiology and Molecular Biology - 20 credits
• Perspectives in Biochemistry - 20 credits

Year 2

• Cell Biology - 20 credits
• Enzymes and Metabolism - 20 credits
• Recombinant DNA and Protein Expression - 20 credits
• Research Skills - 20 credits

Optional Modules

• Business for Biosciences - 20 credits
• Development, Stem Cells and Differentiation - 20 credits
• Introduction to Teaching - 20 credits
• Microbiology - 20 credits

Year 3

• Gene Organisation and Expression - 20 credits
• Genomics in Molecular Medicine - 20 credits
• Research Project - 40 credits
• Synthetic Biology - 20 credits

Optional Modules

• Mechanisms of Development - 20 credits
• Microbiomes - 20 credits

How You'll Spend Your Time

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Biochemistry degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as tutorials, lectures, practical classes, and workshops and guided independent study sessions for about 13.5 hours a week.

Supporting You

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone, and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.

Types of Support

• Personal tutor
• Learning support tutors
• Academic skills support
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Disability advice and additional support
• Library support
• Support with English

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students: £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
• International (non-EU) students: £19,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

Additional Course Costs

• Accommodation and living costs
• Recommended reading
• General costs
• Placement year and study abroad tuition fees
• Final year project

Apply

Ready to Apply?

To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

• the UCAS course code – C700
• our institution code – P80

Apply now through UCAS

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

• Tour our campus, facilities, and halls of residence
• Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
• Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies, and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

Applying from Outside the UK

As an international student, you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you'll need to consider a few extra things.

You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.