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Biochemistry

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B

Chemistry essential, plus at least one other science (usually Biology)

Access to HE Diploma

D:24,M:15

Including Distinctions in ALL Biology and Chemistry modules.

Extended Project: We recognise the EPQ as an excellent indicator of success. If you are predicted a Grade B or above in the EPQ, you will receive an offer with a one grade reduction, to include your EPQ with a grade B.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34

To include Higher Level grades in Chemistry, plus at least one other science (usually Biology)

6 Higher subjects at min. H3 inc. Biology = H2 & Chemistry = H2

Distinction (D) in a relevant BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (6 units) is accepted in place of one A-Level (A2) (other than Chemistry or Biology).

Scottish Advanced Higher at equivalent grade is accepted in place of any A-Level (A2).

Welsh Baccalaureate at equivalent grade is accepted in place of one A-Level (A2) (other than Chemistry or Biology).

UCAS Tariff

136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is crucial to the study and treatment of diseases, the development of pharmaceuticals, and the complex relationships with our environment. The 4 year MSci is an advanced undergraduate degree, adding a further research-focused year to a 3 year BSc (MSci degree programmes of this type are also known as "Integrated Masters" or "Undergraduate Masters" and are financed by undergraduate student loans.).

On this advanced undergraduate degree programme, you will learn about the chemical processes that occur within living organisms and how cells work at the sub-cellular and molecular levels. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the biochemical function of living organisms, from bacteria to plants, animals, and humans.

You will develop excellent project management skills and learn how to design experiments and plan work programmes.
As part of your additional year you will develop an extended, advanced, independent research project. You will also have additional specialist training in a broad range of laboratory techniques during the third year as preparation for this work.

You will benefit from access to the state-of-the-art research facilities at the Medical School, including DNA and protein analytical equipment, computer-based image analysers for molecular or cellular studies, and a powerful supercomputer facility.

Our academic staff are active in a diverse range of biochemistry research fields, offering an unrivalled mix of academic excellence and cutting-edge practice. In addition to your formal studies, we hold regular research talks with Swansea University staff and guest expert speakers from other universities, industry, the NHS and research institutions.

A degree in Biochemistry will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agrochemical and food industries.

We have an outstanding reputation at Swansea and are ranked 3rd in the UK for Biomedical Sciences according to the Guardian University Guide 2023.

Modules

Year 1

• Fundamental Genetics and Evolution
• Chemistry for Biochemists
• Energy and Metabolism: The Reactions of Life
• Microbiology
• Human Physiology
• Organic Chemistry: an Introduction for Life Sciences.
• Chemical Analysis: from Composition to Structure Elucidation; an Introduction for Life Sciences

Year 2

• Metabolic Regulation: Enzymes & Signal Transduction
• Techniques in Molecular Biology
• Clinical Biochemistry & Physiology
• Advanced Metabolism
• Skills for Researchers
• Biostatistics
• Human Immunology
• Introduction to neuroscience
• Human and Medical Genetics
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbial Molecular Genetics

Year 3

• Membranes and Energy Transduction
• Practical Quantitative Research
• Nucleic acids: components, metabolism and modification
• Animal Development
• Membrane Trafficking
• Advanced Biostatistics
• Human Immunopathology
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• Advanced Research Topics in Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics: From Sequence to Function

Year 4
• Science Communication
• Research Innovation and Management
• Advanced Research Project

Assessment methods

Assessment will take place through examinations, coursework, laboratory practicals and presentations. A wide variety of assessment methods is used in addition to the more traditional methods such as: online web assignments, online problem solving, poster production, talks, slide presentations, screencasts, and literature reviews. In your final year you will undertake an independent research project, potentially contributing to scientific research at the school, under the guidance of professional research scientists.

The Uni


Course location:

Singleton Park Campus

Department:

Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science

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.

89%
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

89%
Staff make the subject interesting
92%
Staff are good at explaining things
80%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
72%
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

80%
Library resources
85%
IT resources
90%
Course specific equipment and facilities
59%
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?

91%
UK students
9%
International students
44%
Male students
56%
Female students
88%
2:1 or above
6%
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.

£17,200
low
Average annual salary
95%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

21%
Natural and social science professionals
17%
Other administrative occupations
9%
Sales, marketing and related 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.

£18k

£18k

£23k

£23k

£26k

£26k

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 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

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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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here