2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
BSc Biochemistry (C700)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAA
A-level contextual offer: ABB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Intercalation
Current medical, dental or veterinary science students can apply for entry onto the third year of this course.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£29,000 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
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 catalogueEntry 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.
A-level standard offer
AAA including Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
A-level contextual offer
ABB including A in Chemistry and B in another core science/mathematics subject
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
BTEC
DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five required Chemistry units
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
International Baccalaureate Diploma
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
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
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
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
European Baccalaureate
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
Scottish Qualifications Authority
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
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
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
Welsh Baccalaureate
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
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
Cambridge Pre-U
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.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile E qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: