BSc Biochemistry (C700)

2024 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

Biochemists study the molecular basis of life. This underpins our fundamental understanding of human health and disease and also supports applied science such as drug discovery, diagnostics and biotechnology. Our Biochemistry course immerses you in ground-breaking research and gives you the opportunity to develop high-level analytical and problem-solving skills that prepare you for a diverse range of careers.

You can tailor the course to suit your interests across all years by combining your study of core biochemistry units with a choice of optional units. In the first year these currently include anatomy, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology.

Your second year combines biochemistry and molecular genetics with a choice of units such as neurophysiology, infection and immunity, mathematics, and languages.

In the final year you will select from a choice of advanced topics in biochemistry, such as synthetic biology, neurobiochemistry and cancer.

Your third-year research project will be affiliated with the work of our internationally-renowned scientists and will allow you to gain a deeper understanding by focusing on one particular aspect of biochemistry. These exciting projects include topics like the design of man-made proteins, discovering new drugs from the ocean floor, or understanding mechanisms of wound-healing.

We focus on the development of your practical and research skills throughout the first two years. We also offer summer studentships and subject-specific employability and enterprise sessions. Recent graduate destinations from our biochemistry programmes include higher degrees such as MSc or PhD, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies, research institutes, the NHS, graduate medicine, teaching, forensics, the civil service, medical publishing, finance, business consultancy, patent law, science communications and more.

This course is available for intercalation.

Course structure

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA including Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject. Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
ABB including A in Chemistry and B in another core science/mathematics subject. Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five required Chemistry units

Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 6 at Higher Level in another core science/mathematics subject. Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 5 at Higher Level in another core science/mathematics subject. Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics

Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer
85% overall, with 8.5 in Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject. Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
Advanced Higher: AA in Chemistry and another science/mathematics subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAB. Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Chemistry units and at least 12 credits (including 9 at Distinction) from units in another science. Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics

More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Search international qualifications
More about UK qualifications.