Program Overview

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Biochemistry BSc Honours

Why choose Biochemistry BSc Honours at Middlesex?

Our course lets you build on your existing scientific interest while you develop practical biochemistry skills over a study period that’s tailored to suit your career ambitions. We place a strong focus on practical learning and developing skills applied to biochemistry research and practice. You will be introduced to new ideas and technologies that are applied to some of the biggest health and environmental problems of today.

Specialise in Medical Biochemistry

You'll have the option of specialising in medical biochemistry in years 2 and 3 for an award in Medical Biochemistry BSc Honours.

What you will gain

As well as in-depth knowledge on the subject, you will also gain a wide range of skills relating to some of the biggest current issues in public health as well as the key techniques required in biomedicine and biotechnology.

We’ll teach you how to think like a biochemist.

You will have the knowledge and skills in medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and public health education and the ability to undertake biochemical research related to human health. You will also gain numeracy, research, collaboration and presentation skills.

You’ll develop essential research, diagnostic, and laboratory skills. The academic and professional skills gained on this course will prepare you for a variety of careers within a hospital or private labs in the health sector, research institutions, and pharmaceutical and biotech industries. You’ll have the chance to pursue your interests with optional modules and individual assignments.

We have some of the UK’s best laboratories, equipped with the latest tech. Our Hatchcroft Building houses specialist bioscience and chemistry labs, microbiology, cell and tissue culture labs, the cancer research lab, the mass spectrometry facility and medical engineering labs, to name just a few. You’ll have access to all the latest equipment you need to develop your skills and launch a career.

Following graduation, you could also choose to continue your studies at postgraduate or PhD level.

What you will learn

You’ll study the subject with a focus on applications to research, medicine and industry. Core themes will include biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry and bioinformatics.

You’ll learn through a series of practice-focused activities, interactive classes and workshops. This mixed learning style will ensure you’re practising your skills in hypothesis formation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation as you learn.

In addition, you’ll get the chance to become a member of the Middlesex Biochemical Society and gain experience as part of different research groups.

3 great reasons to pick this course

• Ranked 1st in London for Teaching, Academic Support, learning resources and facilities, and Student Voice — National Student Survey, 2023
• High quality facilities to support your learning
• Exciting career pathways

About your course

About your course

The course will develop your skills by:

• Developing critical awareness of science and the significance of new developments within the field of biochemistry and its impact on society
• Introducing you to the cross disciplinary nature of biochemistry and its applications in research and industry
• Developing your competence in scientific methods of enquiry and problem solving and communication of scientific principles and data through diverse methods
• Providing state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories for developing practical and analytical skills relevant to biochemistry and appropriate for employment
• Teaching you how to carry out research within an ethical framework
• Preparing you for work at postgraduate level and/or for employment in relevant fields.

Modules

This is an overview of the modules that you will be studying each year of the course.

Year 1

• Skills for Scientists (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Fundamentals of Biochemistry (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Form and Function (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Cell Sciences and Genetics (30 credits) - Compulsory

Year 2

• Functional Biochemistry (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Molecular Biology and Gene Control (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Research Methods and Science Innovation (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Analytical and Organic Chemistry (30 credits) - Optional
• Applied Microbiology and Immunology (30 credits) - Optional
• Biochemical Methods in Cancer Research (30 credits) - Optional

Year 3

• Applied Biochemistry (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Dissertation (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Informatics for Bioscientists (30 credits) - Compulsory
• Biotechnology (30 credits) - Optional
• Clinical Diagnostics (30 credits) - Optional
• Clinical Nutrition (30 credits) - Optional
• Conservation, Restoration and Reconciliation (30 Credits) - Optional
• Medical and Pharmaceutical Bioanalytical Techniques (30 credits) - Optional
• Pharmacology and Toxicology (30 Credits) - Optional
• Work Experience (30 credits) - Optional
• Sandwich Year in Industry or Research (120 credits) - Optional

Teaching and learning

Teaching

You'll learn through participation in group learning, workshops, laboratory classes, online learning activities, excursions and group work. We use blended learning in modules integrating taught, self-directed and e-learning. Critical discussion during practical and group learning work is an important way of learning. Formative assessments such as online learning exercises, peer evaluation, in-class worksheets and group activities and feedback of sample work will also help develop your knowledge. Short videos will support you in building knowledge and threshold concepts.

How you'll learn

You will learn through participation in group learning, workshops, group discussions, peer review of oral presentations and written documents, problem solving exercises and engaging in assessment activities.

You will gain practical skills through participation in laboratory classes, virtual labs and video demonstrations and project work for the dissertation. Graduate skills are taught and embedded throughout the course.

You are introduced to skills in the Skills for Scientists module which will be utilised and developed within modules at each level. Emphasis is placed on ICT and numeracy skills in particular. You will be supported in personal and career development with career tutorials and employability workshops with our network of employers and external speakers.

Where will I study?

You will be studying at our north London Hendon campus.

Typical weekly breakdown

Here is a guide to the part time and full time study schedules:

• Full time: 2-3 days on campus
• Part time: 1-2 days on campus.

Plus independent learning, assessment and field trips - during the semester and after the end of semester 2.

Teaching vs independent learning

The course is very practical and will help you develop the skills you need in a laboratory and give you hands-on experience in diagnostic techniques.

Your work will be divided into credits of approximately 10 hours of study time. You will need to complete 120 credits per year, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits.

Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.

Timetable

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study. We aim to make your timetable available at least 2 weeks before you the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Academic support

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking. Our Sheppard Library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.

Assessments

Your learning will be assessed regularly. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good guide.

• Year 1: 50% coursework, 12.5% written exams, 37.5% practical assessments
• Year 2: 65% coursework, 0% written exams, 35% practical assessments
• Year 3: 75% coursework, 0% written exams, 25% practical assessments

Feedback

To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.

Facilities and support

Facilities

Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas with and 600 computer spaces, with some areas open 24 hours a day

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

Careers

Careers

How can the Biochemistry BSc Honours support your career?

The skills and knowledge you develop through the course including analytical and critical appraisal skills will enable you to enter a wide range of careers and further study programmes.

Successful graduates from this course are well qualified and may progress to postgraduate study in a related discipline or to a research studentship.

Graduates could be employed in hospital, university, or private laboratories; pharmaceutical or chemical industry; forensic or public health facilities; the veterinary or agriculture sector. Graduates will be in a strong position to pursue careers in science teaching (Biology/Chemistry) in secondary schools or colleges as well as other careers in education. Employment may be sought on graduate training programmes, in laboratory or technical work, sales, marketing or technical support for biochemical products or laboratory equipment or in other disciplines such as journalism.

Graduate job roles

Previous graduates have gone into careers in the following sectors:

• Hospital and university labs
• Biomedical Research facilities
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Sales, marketing and technical support
• Science education
• Publishing and law.

MDXworks

Our Careers & Employability Service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Global network

Our location in London helps us connect you with over 1,000 industry partners to develop your future employment prospects. And we have unique work and study opportunities at our campuses in Dubai and Mauritius. You’ll study with students from 184 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

Placements

There are two opportunities to gain relevant work experience.

You may take a one-year long placement of 120 credits or a 30-credit work experience module. Both provide excellent opportunities to gain employability skills, transferable skills and experience of working in science. This may be in an industrial, research laboratory or hospital-based environment for example. You will also be supported to find and secure internships and work experiences that you can do outside the scheduled programme, e.g. over the summer between Year 2 and 3.

The Work Experience module (30 credits)

This is available as optional module in Year 3. You will be supported by the Programme Team and the University's Careers and Employability Service in preparing for and securing a placement. The module enables work of about 120-160 hours, usually as a minimum of 15 workdays in a relevant organisation.

The Thick Sandwich Year (120-credits)

This can be taken by you if you have successfully completed Year 2.

There are no university fees for the placement year. You will be supported by the programme team and the University’s Career and Employability service team in preparing for and securing a placement. You will be visited in your placement at least twice and supported by an in-placement mentor, the placement office and a member of the programme team. Both you and your mentor will have a guide handbook to explain the requirements and you will keep an ongoing reflective diary of your experiences and also produce a critical appraisal of the organisation in which you work.

Students who successfully complete the 120-credit placement module will be awarded a Diploma in Industrial Studies or Diploma in Employability Studies, depending on the nature of the placement.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

• UCAS Points: 112-128
• A-Level: BBB-BBC including a C or above in two science subjects which must include either biology or chemistry
• BTEC: DMM-DDM in a science subject
• Access requirements: Overall pass in a relevant subject: must include 45 credits at level 3, of which all 45 must be at Merit or higher
• Combinations: A combination of A-Level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 112 - 128 UCAS Tariff points including 64 points from two science subjects or equivalent

We’ll always be as flexible as possible and take into consideration any barriers you may have faced in your learning. And, if you don’t quite get the grades you hoped for, we’ll also look at more than your qualifications. Things like your work experience, other achievements and your personal statement.

Our entry requirements page outlines how we make offers.

We'll accept T Levels for entry onto our undergraduate degree courses (including our extended courses with a foundation year) with standard application of science requirements and GCSEs in line with UCAS tariff calculation.

Foundation year

If you don't meet the entry requirements, why not consider our qualifications or work experience to help you prepare for the full degree?

Mature students (over 21)

We welcome applications from mature candidates, including those without formal qualifications, provided you can demonstrate relevant experience and ability.

Academic credit

If you have a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to join us in year two or three. Find out how you can transfer courses.

If you have relevant Foundation Year in Science, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.

Interviews

You won't be required to interview for this course.

Fees and funding

Fees

The fees below are for the 2026/27 academic year:

• UK students: £9,535 (full-time), £79 per taught credit (part-time)
• International students: TBC (full-time), TBC (part-time)

Additional costs

The following study tools are included in your fees:

• Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
• Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
• Free printing for academic paperwork
• Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Scholarships and bursaries

To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:

• MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
• Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
• Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Based on the current fee, for a typical three-year degree, the total costs for your studies will be £28,605.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.