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Biochemistry

Entry requirements


A level

B,B,C-B,B,B

Including 2 Science A levels including C grade or above in Chemistry (acceptable Science A levels are Human Biology, Biology, Psychology, Geography, Maths, Physics, ICT and Sports Studies).

Access to Science Diploma with a merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3, 12 of which must be in Chemistry titled modules with a minimum of merit grade.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language 4/C Maths 4/C Double Science 4/C

IB offer 120-128 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at H4 or above to include chemistry and one other Science (with the remaining points to come from a combination of HL, SL and Core)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM-DDM

BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science with a minimum DMM profile to include a minimum of 4 chemistry-titled units at merit or above.

UCAS Tariff

112-120

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental processes of life in a chemical context. Biochemists seek to answer questions about life events, health and disease, the natural environment, materials and compounds using scientific techniques developed in chemistry and biology. From an initial grounding in chemistry, genetics, cell biology, microbiology and human physiology, you will progress to an understanding of the complex biochemical processes that form the basis of the latest discoveries in the biosciences.

One of the main advantages of all our Biosciences degree programmes is that you will be given a sound foundation in all the major aspects of biological theory, techniques and practice. To enable this you will have the use of the excellent facilities, in our new science building, for chemical and biomedical analyses, such as our stem cell facilities which have the capacity to grow new human cells. In addition, once you graduate you will be eligible for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry. All biological graduates are eligible for graduate membership of the Institute of Biology.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,250
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

University of Hertfordshire

Department:

Biosciences

Read full university profile

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.

69%
Biochemistry

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.

Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry

Teaching and learning

69%
Staff make the subject interesting
92%
Staff are good at explaining things
77%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
77%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

85%
Library resources
92%
IT resources
85%
Course specific equipment and facilities
69%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

78%
UK students
22%
International students
44%
Male students
56%
Female students
83%
2:1 or above
21%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
C

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.

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.

£19,000
med
Average annual salary
88%
low
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

19%
Natural and social science professionals
19%
Science, engineering and production technicians
14%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

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.

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.

£22k

£22k

£25k

£25k

£30k

£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.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth
Biochemistry
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 120-128

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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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here