BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

Essentially, as a biochemist, you study the fundamental processes of life. You’ll merge scientific techniques from chemistry and biology to seek answers to questions about life, health, disease, the natural environment, materials, and compounds. You’ll study the science behind living cells, tissues, organs and organisms. You’ll learn the biochemical processes that underpin the very latest discoveries.

Explore how biochemistry affects the quality of people’s lives. You’ll look at the creation of new drugs and understand processes ranging from the design of medical treatments to the manufacture of new biomaterials.  
 

In your first year, you will study with other bioscience students together to obtain an initial grounding in chemistry, molecular biology and genetics, cell and microbiology and human physiology with pharmacology. At the same time all bioscience students will study biochemistry with you together. You will use your theory to build on your practical skills in a well-equipped, modern laboratory.
 

In your second year, you will delve even deeper into these topic areas, in addition to further chemistry and biochemistry topics.  
 

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too.  
 

In your final year you’ll learn about topics such as molecular medicine, cellular development, and off course advanced biochemistry. If you find that you have grown to love a certain topic you can choose to do your major research project in this area. 
 

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.  

On average, you have 20 hours of contact time per week, with lectures and workshops taking up about 6-10 hours per week, while the remaining time is devoted to practical work. 
Throughout your degree, you will be assessed in a variety of ways. This will include exams, literature reviews, portfolios, lab reports, practicals and presentations. Coursework assessments are generally 50-100% per module.
 

Your main campus is College Lane   
 

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.      
 

What will I study?
 

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.
 

Part-time study
 

If you are studying part-time you will have up to 6 years to complete your course from registration. You will complete 60 credits per year and the modules you will study each year will depend on how they fit together on the timetable.  For some modules there are several sessions run for each workshop and practical. As a part-time student you will be able to choose the slots that suit you best.  
 

Level 4
 

• Level 5
   

  Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
  Bioscience Research Methods	15 Credits	Compulsory
  Principles of Immunology	15 Credits	Compulsory
  Genes and Genomes	15 Credits	Compulsory
  Cell and Molecular Biology	15 Credits	Compulsory
  Chemistry and Analytical Science	30 Credits	Compulsory
  Bioscience Work Experience	15 Credits	Optional

  
   

• Level 6
   

  Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
  Project	30 Credits	Compulsory
  Molecular Medicine	15 Credits	Compulsory
  Cell Differentiation and Development	30 Credits	Compulsory
  Applied and Integrated Molecular Science	15 Credits	Compulsory
  Advanced Biochemistry	30 Credits	Compulsory
  Year Abroad: Bioscience	0 Credits	Optional
  Sandwich Placement; Bioscience	0 Credits	Optional

Additional requirements
 

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language, 4/C in Mathematics and 4/C in Double Science or two Single Science grades at 4/C.
 

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.
 

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

UK Students
 

Full time

• £9250 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

Part time

• £1155 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

EU Students
 

Full time

• £14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

Part time

• £1750 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

International Students
 

Full time

• £14000 for the 2022/2023 academic year
   

Part time

• £1750 per 15 credits for the 2022/2023 academic year

• £30 deposit for chemistry locker covering years 1 and 2 of study – refundable

• There are no other compulsory additional expenses for this course. Where you will use an EVS handset, Lab coats and log books, these will be provided as part of your course fees.

Our Biosciences graduates are highly sought after by employers in the industry due to the reputation of our teaching, the vocational element to our degrees and the fact that many of our students already have a year's work experience when they graduate which they gained in the sandwich year. Graduates can find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical and biotechnology industries as well as in industrial, academic and charity funded research. Some graduates also go on to work in health care and environment agencies.
 

Typical job titles of recent graduates:

• Trainee Biomedical Scientist,,

• Clinical Trials Associate,

• Drug Safety Coordinator,

• Medical Representative,

• Lab Scientist,

• Microbiologist,

• Research Assistant,

• Tissue Culture Technologist,

• Donor Transplant Assistant.
   

Typical employers of recent graduates:

• Pfizer,

• Denfleet Pharma Ltd,

• Health Protection Agency,

• GlaxoSmithKline,

• AstraZeneca,

• NHS Trusts

• Lark Technology.
   

Our graduates are highly sought after. They find employment in the pharmaceutical, food and drink, agrochemical and biotechnology industries, as well as in industrial, academic and charity-funded research. Jobs include drug safety coordinator, lab scientist, microbiologist, research assistant and donor transplant assistant.