Contact information
- Admissions Officer
- biosciences-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
- +44 (0) 20 7679 7169
Biochemical research underpins a great deal of the core knowledge in life sciences. In particular, the discipline has helped illuminate many of the problems that have fascinated and perplexed molecular bioscientists. The Biochemistry MSci - premised on research - provides an invaluable foundation for postgraduate study or a dynamic career within this area.
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics required.
A,A,A at Advanced Highers (or A,A at Advanced Higher and A,A,A at Higher to include Maths). 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.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAA. Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics required.
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Learn in a research-intensive environment preparing you for postgraduate research or a career at the cutting-edge of advances in molecular biosciences and health and disease research. Working with the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology promoting multi-disciplinary research at the interface of structural, cell and chemical biology.
National Student Survey 2020
Our strong links with members of the bioscience community in London (such as the Francis Crick Institute, the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre, the UCL Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK) enhance the range of research opportunities available to our students.
Our excellent resources include the Darwin Research Facility, which provides state of the art centrifugation, cell culture, imaging and biomolecular structural analysis facilities and a drug discovery facility.
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).
In the first year of the degree you will take compulsory modules similar to those taken in the first year of other biosciences programmes. This will provide a firm interdisciplinary foundation for your studies. In year two you will take a number of compulsory modules, with some optional module flexibility. This flexibility will increase in year three so you can focus your studies on your prefered area of interest within the discipline.
Year three starts to build an integrated, research-based platform for the discovery of research skills and advanced molecular biosciences. It involves an advanced research project module and a compulsory literature-analysis project. It will prepare you for your final year, which is research intensive.
The final year of your degree will focus principally on an extended (90 credit) research project. It will be supplemented by a research techniques module and a dissertation.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Cells and Development
Chemistry for Biologists
Introduction to Genetics
Introduction to Microbiology
Experimental Biochemistry
All first year modules are compulsory.
Biomolecular Structure and Function
Metabolism and its Regulation
Molecular Biology
Physical Chemistry for Life Science Students
Either The Principles of Cellular Control or The Chemistry of Biologically Important Molecules
*modules listed for 2018/19 but organisation of delivery may change in subsequent years
You will select 15 credits from a wide range of modules.
Literature project which involves writing a review based on a specific subject area.
A specialist reserach project module provides hands on experience in metagenomics or protein biochemistry.
Choice of two advanced modules from: Mechanisms of Molecular Machines, Cellular Regulation in Biotechnology, Health and Disease or Advanced Molecular Biology of Protein Regulatory Networks.
Choice of one module from: Cancer Biology or Genes to Disease
Any from a range to make up to 120 credits.
Extended research project
Dissertation
Research Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
All final-year modules are compulsory.
This programme is research-focused and as such you can expect to spend much 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 small-group tutorials, and you will use an online learning environment (Moodle) to support your studies.
Your assessment will include a combination of examinations, coursework, practical work, tutorial work and presentations. You will also produce laboratory and research reports, posters and dissertations. Many modules have in-course tests (web-based or written) and most (but not all) modules have an unseen final examination.
Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Biochemistry MSci.
Throughout your degree you will acquire a range of specific and transferable skills, including time management and planning, technical laboratory competencies such as manual dexterity and analysis of data, and skills in teamwork, negotiation and decision-making. Research skills are highlighted in years three and four.
Our graduates have found themselves in fields as diverse as toxicology, clinical biochemistry, drug and food research, industrial biotechnology, virus research, cancer research and agricultural research.
MSci graduates have all the same opportunities as those students graduating from the BSc. However, the main focus of this degree is to produce first class research scientists able to progress to a PhD or partake in cutting-edge biosciences research.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU 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 2020/21 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.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
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.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
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.
We use your predicted or achieved academic qualifications, your personal statement and reference to decide whether to offer you a place. Evidence of sustained interest in science, such as involvement in a science debating society, and of activities that demonstrate your self-motivation and organisational skills, will be considered favourably.
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.
Application deadline: 15 January 2020
If you live in the UK and we have made you an offer, you will be invited to attend an offer holder open day. This will involve talks from staff about the programme and the department, a research presentation, tours of UCL and the department and a visit to a laboratory facility.
You will have the chance to talk to current students and staff and ask 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.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.
Page last modified on 13 August 2020