Program Overview

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Biochemistry BSc

Course Overview

Are you fascinated by the molecular fundamentals of life and the chemical processes occurring in living organisms? If you are, then biochemistry is the degree for you.

Biochemistry is a science which seeks to understand how cellular activity determines organism level outcome. You will learn how the regulation of gene expression and protein function controls every aspect of cell behaviour, from cell division and cancer to cellular metabolism, obesity, protein degradation and neurodegenerative disease.

With practical experience from term one, you will be trained by scientists who are leaders in the fields of biochemistry and the molecular basis of disease. This teaching will ensure you graduate Biochemistry BSc with the core skills needed to be successful in your future profession with potential careers from laboratory scientist to data analyst, patent law and teaching.

Key Information

• UCAS Code: C700
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Fees: £9,535 (UK undergraduate students)

Entry Requirements

• Qualification: BSc Hons
• Entry Requirements: AAB
• Start Date: September 2025
• IB Score: 32 points overall or 6,6,5 in three HL certificates
• IELTS: 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element)

English Language Requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

High School Qualifications

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.

A-Levels

• Required Subjects: Chemistry and at least one other science subject at A level. A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.
• Excluded Subjects: General Studies, Critical Thinking, Global Perspectives, Research Thinking Skills.

GCSEs

GCSE English at grade 4 or above and GCSE mathematics at grade 6 or above are also required.

Additional Entry Requirements

AAB

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Non-UK Entry Requirements

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:

• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma Applied Science DDD
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma Applied Science DD plus 1 A Level from one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths at grade A
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A Levels grades AB from Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Maths or Further Maths
• Access to HE Diploma 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit. 15 Level 3 credits must be in Chemistry modules at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits must be in Biology, Physics, Maths modules at Distinction

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

Visa Restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Foundation Progression Options

Biochemistry is one of the progression pathways for our Science with Foundation Year course. Requirements for progression are:

• Foundation Biological Science - 55%
• Foundation Chemistry - 55%
• Overall pass - 40%

Mature Students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Study Abroad

On this course, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner institutions or at University of Nottingham China or University of Nottingham Malaysia.

If you are successful in applying to study abroad, you will get the opportunity to broaden your horizons and enhance your CV by experiencing another culture. Teaching is typically in English, but there may be opportunities to study in another language if you are sufficiently fluent.

You can choose to study similar modules to your counterparts in the UK or expand your knowledge by taking other options.

The school you are joining may also have additional study abroad options available. Please visit the school website for more information.

Optional Placement Year

If your course does not have a compulsory placement, integrated year in industry or compulsory year abroad where there is already an opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of that experience, you may be able to apply to undertake an optional placement year. While it is the student’s responsibility to find and secure a placement, our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout this process. Contact us to find out more.

The school/faculty you are joining may also have additional placement opportunities. Please visit the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences website for more information.

Tuition Fees

• UK undergraduate students: £9,535
• International students: £30,750 per year

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

Additional Costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you'll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies.

Scholarships and Bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Course Modules

Year One

• Core Skills in Biochemistry
• Genes, Molecules and Cells
• Fundamental Inorganic and Organic Chemistry
• Life on Earth
• Fundamentals of Neuroscience
• Human Physiology
• Molecules of Life

Year Two

• Structure, Function and Analysis of Proteins
• Signalling and Metabolic Regulation
• Structure Function and Analysis of Genes
• Higher Skills in Biochemistry
• Intermediate Organic Spectroscopy and Stereochemistry
• From Genotype to Phenotype and Back
• Intermediate Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• Macromolecules and Macromolecular Assemblies: Structure, Analysis and Advanced Microscopy
• Infection and Immunity
• Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

Year Three

• Biochemistry Research Project
• Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics
• Chemical Biology and Enzymes
• Cellular and Molecular Immunology
• Molecular Microbiology and CRISPR Systems
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• The Dynamic Cell
• Life History of Proteins
• Biochemistry of Cancer
• Molecular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity
• Molecular Virology and Pathogenesis

How You Will Learn

You will study in the Life Sciences Building on University Park Campus and the Medical School, which is embedded in the Queens Medical Centre. There is a footbridge linking the Medical School to University Park Campus, allowing easy access to facilities on both sites.

Teaching Methods

• Lab sessions
• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Self-study
• Seminars
• Small group learning
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• eLearning

Assessment Methods

• Coursework
• Dissertation
• Examinations
• Formative assessments
• Lab reports
• Literature review
• Poster presentation
• Practical write-ups
• Presentation

Contact Time and Study Hours

On average there are 20 hours contact time with staff per week. Each hour of contact time should be followed with approximately 1-3 hours* of self-directed study.

*increases with progression

Core hours of directed learning are 9 am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, with Wednesday afternoon reserved for sports and other societies. Occasionally lectures are held from 5-6 pm. Classes start on the hour and should finish by 45 minutes past the hour, to enable students and staff to get to their next engagement. All lectures are recorded for inclusion and for revision purposes.

Careers Overview

On completion of the course, you will have developed a thorough understanding of the fundamental aspects of cell biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Your research skills will be at a level that allows you to compete for the best postgraduate positions. Throughout the course you will have built up a range of transferable skills in presentation, interpretation and criticism of scientific data. These are all skills valued by employers.

Job Roles

• Audit trainee
• Business analyst
• Doctor (with a further Graduate Entry Medicine degree)
• Food analyst
• Laboratory analyst
• Medical laboratory analyst
• Pharmacovigilance services
• Police constable
• Other management roles
• Scientist within the biotechnology sector
• Scientific communication
• Technical assistant
• Trainee cellular pathologist
• Teacher

Job Prospects

• Average starting salary and career progression: 93.90% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £28,993.

HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.