Biochemistry (Study Abroad) Lancaster University

With a degree in biochemistry, you’ll study small things that make a big impact.

Unlock the secrets of life

Biochemistry unites biology and chemistry to understand the cellular, molecular and chemical interactions within living systems.

This knowledge of living organisms will provide you with a deep understanding of how life works. Indeed, biochemists have been at the forefront of making breakthrough discoveries across medicine, agriculture and biotechnology that have changed our world.

This four-year Biochemistry BSc (Study Abroad) is taught by experts from our Biomedical and Life Sciences and Chemistry departments.

You will delve into biochemistry in the context of health and disease and study topics in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics, which are at the heart of modern medical and health research. You will also study fundamental themes in chemistry.

You will be taught by our academics whose vast biochemistry research experience includes the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of various cancers; the biochemistry of organisms that thrive in extreme environments; and biomedical imaging agents to probe drug activity in cells.

This research-led biochemistry degree is an ideal basis for a host of careers across the biomedical, research, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed.

By spending your third year abroad, you will have an opportunity to explore new and different perspectives on your course, while gaining experience of what it is like to live and study in a different country. During your year abroad you are only required to pay 15% of the standard tuition fees.

And, because you will build your skills and competence in experimental design, data recording, analysis and presentation, effective project management, teamwork and communication, you will have the highly transferable skills valued by employers both within the sciences and in broader fields such as marketing, finance and management.

Your journey through biochemistry

Our academics have designed this course to provide you with a structured, progressive training in biochemistry.

• In Year 1, you will study a range of core topics designed to provide you with a broad overview of biology and chemistry, including molecules of life, cell biology and organic chemistry that will build on your pre-university knowledge.

• In Year 2, you may choose to continue to study chemistry options or complement y our biochemistry studies by focussing on bioscience-related topics, such as pharmacology or drug design and development.

• You will spend Year 3 with one of our trusted overseas partner universities, immersing yourself in a different culture, meeting new people with diverse perspectives and developing a confident and well-rounded outlook for your final year back in Lancaster. By studying abroad you will be able to experience living in another country and exploring different and diverse sides of your degree subject.

• In Year 4, you will have greater choice in the modules you study and may explore themes such as molecular medicine or cell signalling.

You will also put your learning into practice with your own independent research project. This is your opportunity to make a unique contribution to increasing scientific knowledge in an area of biochemistry that fascinates you.

A hands-on degree

Our state-of-the-art life science teaching laboratories will be at the heart of your degree. They are where you will put the knowledge you have acquired from lectures and tutorials into practice and get to know your course-mates and academics.

You will gain hands-on experience (depending upon your specialisation) of using equipment and facilities such as:

• our bioimaging facility

• protein purification and characterisation facilities

• cell sorters

• confocal microscopes

• flow cytometers

• PCR thermocyclers

• cell culture facilities

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

AAB. This should include Biology and Chemistry.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 36 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 9 Level 3 credits at Merit, but you would need to meet the subject requirements.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD, considered alongside A level Chemistry grade B, and to include sufficient Biology content. We require Distinctions in the majority of relevant science units.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AB plus BTEC at D. This would need to include A level Chemistry, and either A level Biology, or sufficient Biology content in the BTEC(s).

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in HL Chemistry

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Not accepted

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 5/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.