Biochemistry BSc
London, Bloomsbury
Biochemistry BSc (2023)
UCL understands the most important skills needed for the next generation of experts in biochemistry. In addition to equipping our students with the essential knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology, we provide you with a uniquely real world research experience to ensure you gain experience of best practice and practical application in an intellectually stimulating environment.
Study mode
Duration
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
Programme starts
September 2024Application deadline
31 Jan 2024UCAS course code
Entry requirements
- Grades
- AAA
- Subjects
- Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics required.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
Contextual offer information
- Grades
- ABB more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics required with grade A in Chemistry.
- GCSEs
- English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6.
- Points
- 38
- Subjects
- A total of 18 points in three higher level subjects to include Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematic, with no higher level score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
Contextual offer
- Points
- 34 more about contextual offers
- Subjects
- A total of 16 points in three higher level subjects including Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics with a score of 6 in Chemistry and no score below 5. The programme will accept either 'Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches' or 'Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation' at higher level.
UK applicants qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Equivalent qualification
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA. Chemistry required plus one from Biology or Mathematics.
A,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher). Chemistry required at Advanced Higher and either Biology and Mathematics at Advanced Higher or Biology and Mathematics with one at Advanced Higher and the other at Higher.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics required.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
International applications
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
Access and widening participation
UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. If you are eligible for Access UCL you do not need to do anything in addition to the standard UCAS application. Your application will be automatically flagged when we receive it.Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates
The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.
Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.
For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.
English language requirements
The English language level for this programme is: Level 4
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Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Course overview
In the first year of the programme you will take compulsory modules that are similar to those taken in the first year of other biosciences programmes.
In year two, all Biochemistry students take courses in Molecular Biology and Biomolecular Structure and Function. Those on the pure Biochemistry stream take Metabolism and Physical Chemistry and select a module in either Cell Biology, or an additional module in Chemistry. Students taking the Molecular Biology pathway select a module in Metabolism and one in Cell Biology instead. All pathways give students an optional course too.
After year two, you may apply to transfer to the more research intensive MSci in Biochemistry, or the BSc with a Year in Industry, gaining invaluable experience in an academic or industrial research laboratory.
The compulsory modules in the final year of the BSc Biochemistry programme will focus principally on deepening your knowledge and understanding of Molecular Bioscience, including carrying out an investigative research project. The level of choice increases in year three allowing you to further specialise; you will have the opportunity to choose optional modules in different areas of biochemistry and, depending on your choice of optional modules, an elective module in a subject area of your interest.
What this course will give you
At UCL we offer our students the opportunity to undertake two research projects in their third year - an advanced literature investigation and a lab based group project where students generate their own data. This process reflects how real world labs operate and better prepares our students for success in this arena.
Students benefit from a strong focus on computational analysis and have the opportunity to compare some of their research findings to similar studies from around the world. This reflects our focus on preparing our students for successful research careers.
Our strong links with members of the bioscience community in the Francis Crick Institute, Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, UCL Cancer Institute, and Cancer Research UK enhance the range of research opportunities for students.
The Darwin Research Facility provides state of the art centrifugation, cell culture, imaging and biomolecular structural analysis facilities.
Teaching and learning
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry.
Modules
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.
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Each year you will take a total of 120 credits, achieved through a combination of 15 or 30 credit modules.
In the first year all modules are compulsory, but in subsequent years options can be chosen so as to allow you to select areas that you are interested in and facilitate greater specialisation as you progress.
Second and third year students have a combination of compulsory and optional modules, with increased optional choices in the third year.
The third year incorporates two compulsory research modules. One is a review of published literature, and as part of this module you will present your literature project investigations at the undergraduate research symposium. The other compulsory research module is a specialist group research project in either protein biochemistry or metagenomics.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
Your learning
Biochemistry is a practical science. You can expect to spend a significant portion of your time either in wet laboratories, where you will handle chemicals and biological materials, or in dry laboratories, where computer simulations and exercises are carried out.
You will also take part in seminars, presentations, lectures and group tutorials. You will use an online virtual learning environment (Moodle) to support your studies.
You may transfer to the BSc Biochemistry with a year in industry on securing and completing a placement year in an industrial setting. These are optional competitive placements that are dependent on successful application to a placement provider. The placement is taken in the third year and you return to campus in the fourth year to complete your academic studies. Further information on this option is provided during your degree.
Contact time is estimated at 300 hours per year, to include lectures, practicals, tutorials and workshops. Accompanying study time per year is estimated to be 900 hours. These values will vary according to the year of study and modules chosen, and are intended as a rough guide since individual choice will result in variation.
Assessment
Your assessment will include a combination of examinations, coursework, practical work, tutorial work and presentations. Many modules have in-course tests (web-based or written) and most modules have an unseen final examination.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
The foundation of your career
Our graduates have found roles in diverse fields such as toxicology, clinical biochemistry, drug and food research, industrial biotechnology, virus research and agricultural research. Some students have used their degrees to become school science teachers; others have entered fields such as science journalism, business management, accountancy, finance and business computing.
Employability
Throughout your degree you will acquire a range of specific and transferable key skills, including time management and planning, technical laboratory competencies such as manual dexterity and analysis of data, and skills in teamwork, critical reasoning, and decision-making.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course
| Fee description | Full-time |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £9,250 |
| Tuition fees (2023/24) | £32,100 |
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2023/24 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2023/24 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
Additional costs
Students will need to purchase a lab coat, approximate cost £10-20.
A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Funding your studies
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Scholarships
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Next steps
Your application
A genuine and personal interest and curiosity in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology should be evidenced in your application.
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
For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.
You will have the chance to talk to current students and staff about any questions you might have about studying biochemistry. As this degree programme is very challenging, it is vital to have a deep interest in the programme to succeed, and to convey this on your application. If we have made you an offer, you will be invited to attend an offer-holder event. This may include talks from staff about the programme and the department. It could also include a research presentation, tours of UCL and the department, and a visit to a laboratory facility.
