Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)
UCAS Code: C700
Master of Biochemistry - MBiochem
Entry requirements
A level
Including Chemistry and one other science or Maths, with A* in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or a closely related subject. Excluding General Studies (if taken)
Access to HE Diploma
Some Access courses allow students to take one or two A-levels as part of the course. This option is strongly recommended for students who wish to apply to Oxford, especially for those courses which have specific subject requirements. If you would like to discuss the suitability of your Access course for entry to Oxford University, please contact the subject department that you’d like to apply to for further information. (Contact details are at ox.ac.uk/courses)
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Pre-U subject requirements are the same as those for A-levels.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
With 7 in HL Chemistry and 6 in two other relevant subjects at HL or SL.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Conditional offers would usually be: Extended Diploma with D*D*D to DDD, depending on the course. Diploma with DD plus an A grade at A-level, possibly with one or two * grades, depending on the course. Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A grades at A-level, possibly with one or two * grades, depending on the course.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Including Chemistry and one other science or Maths. Conditional offers will usually be for AAB if a student is able to take three Advanced Highers; where this is not possible then a student would be expected to achieve AA in two Advanced Highers, as well as an A grade in an additional Higher course taken in Year 6.
Scottish Higher
A,A,A,A,B-A,A,A,A,A
Supplemented by two or more Advanced Highers.
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About this course
The Biochemistry Department in Oxford is one of the largest in Europe, and is subdivided into research areas: Cell Biology, Development and Genetics; Chromosomal and RNA Biology; Infection and Disease Processes; Microbiology and Systems Biology; and Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics. The department is extremely active in research, with about 300 postgraduate students and research staff. The breadth and excellence of these activities are reflected in the scope of the undergraduate course and underpin the teaching. The department has superb research and teaching facilities and excellent IT resources together with access to a wide range of online and hard-copy journals.
An important aspect of the Oxford Biochemistry course is its fourth-year project, lasting 18 full-time weeks, which allows you to explore in detail both laboratory-based research and specific recent advances in biochemistry. You choose the project yourself. Under the supervision of a group leader, you will design your own experiments and will learn to plan research programmes and present your results and ideas – orally and in written form – to other workers in the field. The experience gained is much valued by employers. The project also gives you the opportunity to reflect on your aptitude and enthusiasm for a research career. For more information on this course please visit ox.ac.uk/ugbiochem.
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Biochemistry

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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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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.
Top job areas of graduates
What do graduate employment figures really tell you?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.
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