Biochemistry and Genetics
Entry requirements
A level
including Chemistry and at least one other science subject at A level. A pass is required in science practical tests, if assessed separately (waived for 2021/22 application cycle). Acceptable second science subjects are biology, maths, further maths or physics. Maths and further maths are acceptable as second and third science subjects. Applicants must also meet the GCSE requirements to be considered.
Access to HE Diploma
To include 15 distinctions from chemistry modules and 15 distinctions from biology, physics, maths modules
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English language at grade 4 (C) or above and GCSE Maths at grade 6 (B) are required
Applications are assessed on an individual basis
Applications are assessed on an individual basis
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
including 5/6 in chemistry and another science, in any order, at Higher Level. Acceptable second science subjects are biology, maths, further maths or physics. Maths and further maths are acceptable as second and third science subjects. Grade 4 in maths at standard level and either grade 4 in English A at standard level or grade 5 English B at standard level.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD in Applied Science plus one A-Level in either chemistry, biology, physics, maths, further maths at grade A
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Grade D plus A-level grades AB including chemistry and one from biology, physics, maths, further maths
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD in Applied Science
Scottish Advanced Higher
including Chemistry and a second science. Offers made in conjunction with Scottish Highers grades of AABBB. Acceptable second science subjects are biology, maths, further maths or physics. Maths and further maths are acceptable as second and third science subjects.
Scottish Higher
in combination with grades AA in the Advanced Scottish Highers, including Chemistry and a second science. Acceptable second science subjects are biology, maths, further maths or physics. Maths and further maths are acceptable as second and third science subjects.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
in combination with 2 science A-levels at AA, to include Chemistry. Acceptable second science subjects are biology, maths, further maths or physics. Maths and further maths are acceptable as second and third science subjects.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This course provides a thorough, modern training in both biochemistry and genetics, emphasising common areas such as molecular biology, genetic engineering and biotechnology.
You'll gain expertise in core practices such as handling DNA and proteins and manipulating genes and genomes. These skills are highly sought after in the medicinal, pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and biotechnology industries.
Teaching takes place predominately in the Medical School and will include lectures, small-group workshops, practical sessions and seminars - providing a well-rounded and dynamic learning experience.
Many of the teaching staff are actively involved in real-world research and have a strong insight into the skills which are required for a successful career in this field.
The integrated masters (MSci) version of this course provides you with additional research experience, preparing you for your future career or further postgraduate study.
Modules
There are a range of optional modules to choose from in every year of the course. You will study these alongside core modules.
During the first year, you'll be introduced to the fundamental aspects of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as core skills in biochemistry.
In the second year, your studies continue to go into greater depth. You'll cover structures, functions and analysis of proteins and genes, as well as the genetic basis of disease, cell-to-cell signalling and metabolic regulation.
You'll undertake a research project in year three, exploring an area of biochemistry that suits your personal interests in the field. This project may be lab, bioinformatics, or literature-based. There's also a large selection of optional modules to expand your learning.
If you choose to study the integrated masters (MSci), you’ll complete a year-long research project in your fourth year. This could be lab- or literature-based.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University Park Campus
School of Biosciences
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?
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.
Genetics
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)
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.
Genetics
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
Only a few hundred people take genetics courses every year and graduates from these courses are amongst the most likely to go on to do a doctorate when they graduate, as that's the level of qualification you need to go into a career in research in this important and fast-moving field. Lab jobs were the most popular outcome for genetics graduates, but whilst other science and technical occupations were also common, you could also find genetics graduates in a range of other roles, particularly business and finance.
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.
Genetics
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£21k
£25k
£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.
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.
£21k
£25k
£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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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
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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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