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Biochemistry with Foundation Year

Entry requirements


Access to HE Diploma

P:45

Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject considered. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent. Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent. Science at grade C or 4.

UCAS Tariff

64

From A levels to include at least 24 points in any one A level and at least 16 points from a science subject (biology/chemistry/human biology). Or BTEC National qualification in Applied Science. We do not accept general studies. For example: MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science. Pass overall from a T level qualification in either Health -Care Science or Science with D or E from core. A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

4years

Full-time including foundation year | 2024

Other options

5 years | Sandwich including foundation year | 2024

Subject

Biochemistry

**Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.**

**Course Summary**

- Study life at cellular, molecular and chemical levels.

- Combine biological and chemical modules, ranging from Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry to Medical Chemistry and Drug Synthesis.

- Tailor your degree structure to your interests and career ambitions.

- Learn how the latest scientific innovations are being used to have a positive impact on the world.

- Work with our expert staff to complete your own cutting-edge research projects in our award-winning labs using industry standard equipment.

- Take an optional placement year, enabling you to gather priceless hands-on experience in an industrial setting.

Our BSc Biochemistry course provides a theoretical and practical knowledge of biochemistry. As well as the option to take a year-long placement, you can adapt the degree to your career ambitions – choosing a biological or chemical focus. You can also transfer to the MSci route for a specialist year of research-intensive study.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for this course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year.

**How you learn**

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

You’ll be taught by active researchers and scientific experts with a history of working in the pharmaceutical industry. We encourage a hands-on approach, with your learning linked to departmental research themes to make sure you’re learning at the forefront of science.

You’ll also have opportunities to undertake research projects at the end of each year, culminating in a final year 6-week project. This could be a lab-based biochemical or chemistry project, or focus on bioinformatics, big data, computational modelling, systematic reviews, educational development or scientific communication.

You learn through:

- In-person seminars and lectures

- Independent study

- Tutorials and academic adviser sessions

- Practical lab experiences with industry-standard equipment

- Placements and research opportunities

- Real life research projects

- The latest scientific software and data analysis tools

- Problem solving and group activities

**Key themes**

In your first year, you’ll learn fundamental life sciences before moving onto applied modules such as biochemistry and genetics, using the latest technologies including PCR, genome sequencing, and bioinformatics software. You’ll be trained in organic and physical chemistry and analytical techniques.

In your second year, you’ll study molecular and cellular biochemistry – training in the latest analytical and bioanalytical technologies and undertaking a laboratory project. You’ll get to choose a more chemical or biological focus too.

In your third year, you’ll study applied biochemistry and advanced analytical techniques, with elective choices such as advanced therapeutics and personalised medicine, medical chemistry and drug discovery, neuroscience and neurophysiology, and genetics. You’ll also work with staff to complete an independent research project.

**Course support**

Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:

- Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.

- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources to help you to plan and structure your assignments.

**Work placements**

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long placement between your second and third year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

**Year 1 **

**Compulsory modules **

Concepts In Biology And Chemistry

Developing Skills For Science

Foundation Skills For Science

Foundations Of Biology And Chemistry

**Year 2 **

**Compulsory modules **

Biochemistry And Genetics

Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists

Fundamentals Of Life Sciences

Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists

Principles Of Chemical Analysis

**Year 3**

**Compulsory modules**

Applications Of Analytical Science

Applying Professional Skills For Scientists

Developing Professional Skills For Scientists

Molecular And Cellular Biochemistry

**Elective modules **

Immunology And Microbiology

Organic And Biosynthetic Chemistry

**Year 4 **

**Compulsory modules **

Placement Year For Biosciences And Chemistry

**Final year**

**Compulsory modules **

Advanced Analytical Science

Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists

Applied Biochemistry

Research Project

**Elective modules **

Advanced Chemical Synthesis

Advanced Genetics

 Advanced Therapeutics And Personalised Medicine

Applications Of Data Science

Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery

Neurobiology And Neurophysiology

Pharmacology

Assessment methods

Coursework, examinations, and practicals.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£16,655
per year
International
£16,655
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

Extra funding

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

The Uni


Course location:

Sheffield Hallam University

Department:

College of Health Wellbeing and Life Sciences

Read full university profile

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.

88%
Biochemistry

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below 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

Teaching and learning

94%
Staff make the subject interesting
100%
Staff are good at explaining things
100%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
81%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

87%
Library resources
88%
IT resources
88%
Course specific equipment and facilities
81%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

98%
UK students
2%
International students
49%
Male students
51%
Female students
79%
2:1 or above
19%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
C

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.

£22,000
high
Average annual salary
92%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

31%
Science, engineering and production technicians
22%
Natural and social science professionals
8%
Public services and other associate professionals

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.

£19k

£19k

£25k

£25k

£30k

£30k

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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Nearby University
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Same University
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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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:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here