Biochemistry
Entry requirements
A level
ABB in three A levels including B in Chemistry and B in one other Science subject from the Keele Defined Sciences List (please see the Keele website)
Access to HE Diploma
128 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits and Merit in at least 15 Level 3 credits
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see the Keele website)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
655 in three Higher Levels including Chemistry and one other Science subject from the Keele Defined Sciences List at Higher Level, or 32 points including Higher Level Chemistry and one other Higher Level Science subject from the Keele Defined Sciences List (please see the Keele website)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM in any of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas / National Extended Diplomas: Applied Science, including completion of three out of four of the following units: Applications of Organic Chemistry, Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Industrial Chemical Analysis, Practical Chemical Analysis.
T Level
Distinction in any of the following T levels: Science, with specialism in Laboratory Sciences
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Understand how life and the systems within it exist at a molecular level to make exciting advances in medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Our accredited Biochemistry BSc delivers the subject-specific, research and laboratory skills for you to choose a pathway through the biosciences with confidence.
**Why choose this course?**
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
- Focus on the application of biochemistry to human health and disease
- Britain's best University, as ranked by students (No.1 in the UK, Student Crowd University Awards, 2022)
- Develop your practical skills in our state-of-the-art Laboratories
From unlocking the secrets of the human body to the individually tailored molecular therapies of the future, biochemistry is the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level. This is the foundation for understanding all biological processes, including the development and progression of diverse pathologies, across species. It has become the foundation for understanding all biological processes and can provide explanations for the causes of many diseases in humans, animals and plants. Our Biochemistry BSc focuses on the application of biochemistry to human health and disease. The programme develops across five core themes: macromolecular structure-function, metabolism and its control, genetics, cell biology and the applications of chemistry in the study of these.
In the final year you will undertake an independent experimental research project, which could include lab-based research projects, systematic reviews, bioinformatics, pedagogic research, or outreach work, or based on research carried out on placement. During the project you will develop higher-level research skills in the acquisition and analysis of data, and in evaluating outcomes in context to a wide body of supporting literature. In addition to your research project you will also under take a number of core modules in areas including medical glycobiology and biotechnology, whilst selecting from a range of optional modules, depending on your personal interests. This may include modules focusing on parasitology, cancer biology, and structural biology.
**About Keele**
Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.
We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.
Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.
Modules
For a list of indicative modules please visit the course page on the Keele University website.
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Around 2,500 graduates got degrees in this demanding but valuable subject last year. Graduates who want a career in research usually take postgraduate qualifications - over a third of graduates in the subject took this option - but those who want to start work when they graduate have a lot to choose from. Laboratory work and other jobs in the biosciences are popular, as well as in education, but many biochemistry graduates find their way into the finance industry and as a consequence, graduates from these disciplines are particularly likely to get jobs in London and the South East.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£20k
£23k
£27k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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