Biochemistry with Professional Training Year Cardiff University

Biochemistry is the study of the molecular basis of life. It is a subject that has a rich history of scientific discoveries, from enzymology and metabolic pathways to the discovery of genes and the structure of DNA. Today the subject embraces important new areas, such as genomics and genome editing, synthetic biology and protein engineering.

Through this course, you will learn how biochemistry and biomolecular sciences contribute to advances in all biological disciplines, including medicine and biotechnology. You will receive extensive hands-on training in laboratory techniques, and gain practical experience of widely transferable skills in computing, statistics, data analysis and presentation.

As part of this course you will spend your third year on placement at an academic, clinical or industrial research laboratory, or other approved establishment. This offers a great opportunity to gain first-hand professional research experience, and it has been shown to greatly enhance your subsequent employment prospects.

Many placements are in the UK, but in recent years we have had an increasing number of students taking up placements in international locations, including Southeast Asia, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Australia, Madagascar, and the USA.

Your degree title remains flexible up until your final year, allowing you to either continue with BSc Biochemistry or switch to another of our bioscience courses. Your final degree title will depend on module selection, and your Personal Tutor will guide you through the options available to you. You may also have the option of switching to our MBiochem integrated master's degree, which forms an excellent basis for a future career in scientific research.

Our Biochemistry degree provides an excellent foundation for careers within all areas of biological and molecular sciences, and offers strong training for research scientists. Our graduates have gone on to a range of exciting and fulfilling careers in both scientific and non-scientific related fields, including biotechnology research and development, scientific publishing, pharmaceutical industries, molecular biology, journalism, teaching and veterinary science. Many also choose to further their studies by pursuing a master's degree or PhD.

You may also be interested in the following degree programmes:

MBiochem Biochemistry (integrated master's degree) with Professional Training Year

BSc Biomedical Sciences with Professional Training Year

Bsc Biological Sciences with Professional Training Year (including option for Genetics)

BSc Biochemistry

Entry requirements

A Levels

AAB-ABB. Must include Biology (or Human Biology) or Chemistry. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

English requirements

Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading and 20 for speaking.

At least 62 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits. III: at least a Pass in all components.

Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.