Information for Prospective Students
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Fees and Funding
UK & EU Fee
£9,000 (2013/14)
Overseas Fee
£19,500 (2013/14)
General Funding Notes
Details about financial support are available at: www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Specific Funding Notes
Several major international companies have established a Trust Fund with the department. This fund provides five bursaries, each worth at least £1,500, which are open to all applicants.
Contacts
Key Facts
Research Assessment Exercise
75% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
(What is the RAE?)
Departmental website
More Information
Engineering (Biochemical) BEng
UCAS Code: H811
Developing innovation to create new medicines, biofuels and environmental management tools is essential to meet the global challenges of tomorrow. If you are interested in meeting these challenges, then Biochemical Engineering at UCL is for you. This broad-based, flexible programme provides opportunities to follow a wide range of careers in this rapidly developing sector.
Entry Requirements
A Levels
| Grades | A*AA-AAB |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Preferred subjects: any two from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. |
| AS Levels | A pass in a further subject at AS level or equivalent is required. |
| GCSEs | English Language and Mathematics at grade C. For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs |
IB Diploma
| Points | 36-39 |
|---|---|
| Subjects | A total of 17-19 points in three higher level subjects preferably including any two subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, with no score below 5. |
Other Qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Selected entry requirements will appear here
International Qualifications
International Qualifications
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
University Preparatory Certificates
UCL offers intensive one-year foundation courses to prepare international students for a variety of degree programmes at UCL.
The University Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language you will also need to satisfy UCL's English Language Requirements. A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Degree Summary
Degree Benefits
- The department has the most modern and comprehensive biochemical engineering facilities of any university in the world. Valued at over £35 million, they attract leading industrial collaborators.
- Our staff are at the forefront of their fields and are committed to providing top-quality education and research.
- The programme is professionally accredited by the Institution of Chartered Engineers (IChemE), which means that it provides the essential entry point to Chartered Engineering Status (CEng).
- We have been pioneers in providing our undergraduates with training to help them understand the business environment in which life sciences operate, thus better preparing you for your future career.
Whichever degree you initially choose within the Department of Biochemical Engineering, you will follow a common curriculum in the first two years. The courses you take are designed to introduce you to biochemical engineering through both lectures and use of the practical training facilities.
You may reassess your choice of degree programme towards the end of the second year, when you have gained a deeper knowledge of what the subject involves.
During the third year you will supplement compulsory courses by selecting options to match your own interests, and you may choose to complete your degree at this stage with a BEng qualification. However, we advise you to apply for a four-year MEng programme initially as this gives you the most control over your plans.
Your Learning
You will be taught using a combination of lectures, case studies, team-based projects and experiments. Leading industrialists and researchers regularly visit the department to provide guest lectures. Our programmes offer regular opportunities for students to put their learning into practice through the use of scenarios. Case studies are conducted in small teams with your tutors offering individual support.
Assessment
Written examinations, individual and group reports, coursework and oral presentations all contribute towards your assessment.
Degree Structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses, normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Year Two
Final Year
Further details available on degree page of subject website:
Your Career
The core science, engineering, business and leadership skills that you acquire on the programme will provide you with excellent and diverse career prospects. In addition to your core subject knowledge, the programme will provide you with skills in innovative thinking, team working and computing.
The excitement of taking biological advances towards new medicines and greener sustainable processes is creating an ever-growing need for biochemical engineering graduates to work in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biofuels, chemical, environment and food industries.
After graduation, you may work in a company, conducting research and development in design of facilities and issues of creating safe materials. Many work in managing the multi-million pound investments that produce life science drugs. Others decide to pursue a higher degree, either an MSc or a doctorate.
Destinations
First career destinations of recent graduates (2009-2011) of this programme include:
- Investment Analyst, Deutsche Bank (2011)
- Supply Chain Requirements Planner, Unilever (2011)
- Full-time student, PhD in Biochemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge (2011)
- Full-time student, MSc in Management of Intellectual Property at Queen Mary University (2010)
- Researcher, GlaxoSmithKline (2009)
Find out more about London graduates' careers by visiting the Careers Group (University of London) website:
Application
Your Application
In addition to academic requirements, we will also use your application to assess your motivation for studying biochemical engineering. We will be seeking applicants committed to studying at the highest level, and who are eager, and able, to rise to the challenges presented both by the programme and by a career in the discipline.
How to Apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
If we are considering making you an offer, and you live in the UK, you will be invited to an applicant open day. Your visit provides an excellent opportunity to examine the departmental facilities before making a final decision.
If you live outside the UK, or travel distance is a problem, we will arrange for a telephone or online (VoIP) chat to assist with any questions you may have.
We are happy to consider your application if you wish to defer entry and take a gap year before taking up your place on the programme, especially if you have constructive plans for your time. The Year in Industry scheme provides suitably qualified students with work placements, allowing them to gain relevant work experience whilst earning money.
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