Biological and life sciences · Physical sciences
Biochemistry
BSc
Overview
Biochemistry sits between biology and chemistry. You study the molecules that make cells work: proteins, DNA, metabolism and how those processes change in disease. Laboratory work is a large part of the degree. It is a common route into research, biotechnology and, with the right accreditation and experience, some laboratory careers. It is not pharmacy and it is not medicine. Students who enjoy it like mechanisms and are willing to do more chemistry than a general biology degree requires.
You want the chemistry of living systems, with substantial lab work.
Chemistry is less focused on cells. Biomedical science is more diagnostic and human-disease based.
People who like both chemistry and biology and precise experiments.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Chemistry for biologists
- Cell biology
- Genetics
- Maths for science
Year 2
- Proteins
- Metabolism
- Molecular biology
Year 3
- Specialist topics
- Research project
Skills
Useful before you start
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Numerical confidence
Developed during the degree
- Experimental technique
- Molecular reasoning
- Data analysis
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Laboratory practicals, Workshops.
Assessment often includes Exams, Lab reports, Project.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate for a lab-intensive science.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBB–AAB. Chemistry and biology are the usual pair. A few courses accept chemistry plus mathematics. Check. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 36 points for AAB. The other end of this band is not in that table. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 5, 4 for AAB. The other end of this band is not in the guide. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Chemistry and biology are the usual pair. A few courses accept chemistry plus mathematics. Check.
Often recommended: Mathematics.
GCSE and IGCSE
English and mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly requested. Science grades matter more for science degrees. No single national grade is stored. International GCSEs are not automatically accepted as GCSEs.
Indicative UK pattern only. Highly selective universities can ask for higher grades in the sciences than the typical band. Not an offer.
Other ways in
- King's College London publishes a 2027 biochemistry course that can be checked separately. That page is one university, not this general pattern.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
No admissions test is stored as usual for this course. A university can still set one for a particular year.
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
Published courses already checked
King's College London
Biochemistry BSc. 2027 entry. 3 years, with longer study options described on the official page.
This is one published course, not the general pattern above.
Official course page
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Biochemist
Direct qualifying route
A biochemistry degree is a standard route. Some research jobs expect a postgraduate qualification.
Forensic scientist
Alternative route
Biochemistry can support forensic roles. A forensic degree or accredited lab experience may also be expected.
Clinical scientist
Common route
A possible first degree before scientist training. The training programme is separate.
Pharmacist
Related, but not enough on its own
Biochemistry does not replace the MPharm.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.