Program Overview

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BSc (Honours)/MSci Biochemistry

Course summary

Gain a well-rounded education in biochemistry – working in award-winning laboratories and applying your learning to current societal issues such as health, drug discovery and sustainability.

How you learn

You’ll be taught by active researchers and scientific experts with a history of working in the pharmaceutical industry. We encourage a hands-on approach, with your learning linked to departmental research themes to make sure you’re learning at the forefront of science.

You’ll also have opportunities to undertake research projects at the end of each year, culminating in a final year 6-week project. This could be a lab-based biochemical or chemistry project, or focus on bioinformatics, big data, computational modelling, systematic reviews, educational development or scientific communication.

You learn through:

• In-person seminars and lectures
• Independent study
• Tutorials and academic adviser sessions
• Practical lab experiences with industry-standard equipment
• Placements and research opportunities
• Real life research projects
• The latest scientific software and data analysis tools
• Problem solving and group activities

Key themes

In your first year, you’ll learn fundamental life sciences before moving onto applied modules such as biochemistry and genetics, using the latest technologies including PCR, genome sequencing, and bioinformatics software. You’ll be trained in organic and physical chemistry and analytical techniques.

In your second year, you’ll study molecular and cellular biochemistry – training in the latest analytical and bioanalytical technologies and undertaking a laboratory project. You’ll get to choose a more chemical or biological focus too.

In your third year, you’ll study applied biochemistry and advanced analytical techniques, with elective choices such as advanced therapeutics and personalised medicine, medical chemistry and drug discovery, neuroscience and neurophysiology, and genetics. You’ll also work with staff to complete an independent research project.

Course support

Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:

• Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development.
• Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources to help you to plan and structure your assignments.

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long placement between your second and third year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Previous students have completed placements for companies and organisations such as Ricketts and Benkiser, Labcorp, Marks and Spencer Food, the Wellcome Sanger Institute Cambridge, and a variety of pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies.

Research projects

Throughout your degree, you’ll undertake a series of research projects in which you’ll be given a question and hypothesis to test, putting the practical skills you’ve developed throughout the year into practice within mini projects. This will help you build confidence in the laboratory, as you work towards becoming a more autonomous scientist.

You’ll then complete your own independent research project in your final year. You’ll select a topic from your preferred discipline, and you’ll work alongside a research-active member of staff.

Previous students have completed research in areas such as cancer cell biology, organic synthesis of new drugs, understanding the mechanism of disease progression, as well as bioinformatics and data analysis projects.

Live projects

You could also return to your placement host and undertake a real-world research project in their labs. In recent years, our students have undertaken research at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITRANS), Technostics Hull, Reckitt Benckiser Hull and the University of Sheffield Medical School.

Modules

Compulsory modules

• Biochemistry And Genetics
• Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists
• Fundamentals Of Life Sciences
• Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists
• Principles Of Chemical Analysis

Compulsory modules

• Applications Of Analytical Science
• Applying Professional Skills For Scientists
• Developing Professional Skills For Scientists
• Molecular And Cellular Biochemistry

Elective modules

• Immunology And Microbiology
• Organic And Biosynthetic Chemistry

Compulsory modules

• Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional Diploma

Compulsory modules

• Advanced Analytical Science
• Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists
• Applied Biochemistry
• Research Project

Elective modules

• Advanced Chemical Synthesis
• Advanced Genetics
• Advanced Therapeutics And Personalised Medicine
• Applications Of Data Science
• Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery
• Neurobiology And Neurophysiology
• Pharmacology

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• Medical research
• Clinical science
• Analytical science
• Scientific sales and marketing
• Pharmaceutical research and development
• The biotechnology industry
• Scientific communication or journalism
• Doctoral Research
• Academia

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:

• Biological Immunoassay Department at Huntingdon Life Science, Cambridge
• Marks and Spencer Foods
• Biocorp
• Reckitt Benckiser
• Labcorp

Many graduates also go on to complete further study, including PhDs at the best research institutions in the World.

Equipment and facilities

You’ll have access to a wide variety of collaborative and independent learning spaces – including our cell culture facilities, which won an S-lab award for the best refurbished laboratory. The S-lab scheme is sponsored by highly-regarded organisations including HE-STEM, the Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

On this course you work with:

• Our specialist laboratories using industry-standard scientific equipment and software.
• The latest molecular molecule tools such as RTqPCR, genome sequencing, cellular transfection, plus data analysis and bioinformatics software.
• Analytical tools such as HPLC, mass spectrometry, NMR and gas chromatography equipment.
• Digital resources to help with drug design and synthesis, bioinformatics and practical lab preparation, as well as full lab simulations.

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Entry requirements

• All students
• Additional information for EU/International students

All students

UCAS points

• 112-120

From A levels (including Biology and Chemistry with at least 32 points from one of these subjects) or equivalent BTEC National qualifications in applied science to include suitable biology and chemistry modules. We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types. For example:

• DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science will be considered with relevant chemistry modules (please include units on application).
• BTEC Diploma in Applied ScienceD*D with relevant chemistry modules alongside other level 3 study.
• Merit overall including a grade B from the Core,- T level Science: Laboratory Technician Pathway ONLY
• A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s), which may include AS levels or EPQ.

GCSE

• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*.
• Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.

** GCSE English and mathematics equivalent.**

• Equivalency test from

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.

Fees and funding

• Home students
• International students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year)

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 131.3KB)

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Data for Biochemistry (Full time) at Sheffield Hallam University

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Data for Biochemistry (Full time) at Sheffield Hallam University

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