Biochemistry BSc (Hons) or MSci (Hons) – 2020 entry
Why choose this course
Surrey is one of the UK's leading universities for biological sciences with our courses ranked 8th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020. We were also ranked 4th for overall student satisfaction in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biophysics in the National Student Survey 2018.
The School of Biosciences and Medicine is home to a vibrant research community and an innovative teaching and learning environment, with students also having access to our multi-million pound Innovation for Health learning laboratories.
Find out more about the reasons to study BSc/MSci Biochemistry at Surrey.
What you will study
Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental processes of life at the cellular level. It deals with fascinating subjects such as metabolism, molecular biology, neuroscience, pharmacology and sleep.
As a BSc or MSci Biochemistry student, you’ll gain extensive practical skills in our internationally-renowned, research-oriented environment that will prepare you to work at the forefront of developments in this exciting field.
This course will give you a sound and broad background in biochemistry, providing opportunities to familiarise yourself with contemporary biochemical methodology and sample some of its most intriguing applications.
Course facts
| Qualification | Course length | Foundation year | Professional Training | Start date | UCAS | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | 36 months | Oct 2020 | C700 | View KIS data set | ||
| BSc (Hons) | 48 months | Oct 2020 | C702 | View KIS data set | ||
| MSci (Hons) | 48 months | Oct 2020 | C703 | View KIS data set | ||
| MSci (Hons) | 60 months | Oct 2020 | C704 | View KIS data set | ||
| BSc (Hons) | 48 months | Oct 2020 | C705 | View KIS data set | ||
| BSc (Hons) | 60 months | Oct 2020 | C706 | View KIS data set |
Professional Training placements
A Professional Training placement provides you with the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, equipping you to be adaptable, resilient, globally minded, confident, entrepreneurial and digitally savvy in the workplace. These qualities are widely recognised by employers and many of our students are offered employment on graduation by their placement provider.
The Professional Training placement year gives our students an insight into their subject and career potential, and early access to professional experience. It can be invaluable in developing work-based skills and helping them secure a graduate career.
Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices.
Biochemistry placements
The majority of our students choose to take a Professional Training placement to gain vital work experience and develop professional skills required by employers.
Most of our Professional Training placements are salaried roles, with opportunities in the UK including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and research institutes.
Recent placements have included roles at international institutions like Cornell University, Washington State University, Harvard Medical School (USA), the University of Turku (Finland) and several other European universities.
Our experienced Professional Training tutors will help you choose and apply to a selection of excellent placements in industry, hospitals and academia.
Find out more from Biochemistry students on placement in America.
Applying for placements
Professional Training placements are usually applied for and secured via our online placement opportunities platform called Surrey Pathfinder, within which students can select and apply for placement vacancies. Placement providers use their own recruitment and selection procedures and the majority of students will secure their placement in this way. However, support is also provided to students wishing to source their own placement, subject to university requirements being met.
Students are generally not placed by the University, however they are given thorough support and guidance alongside access to the vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.
Professional recognition
BSc (Hons) - Royal Society of Biology
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
Accreditations
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Our biochemistry graduates are found in academic and industrial research laboratories around the world. You’ll also find them in cities, schools, hospitals, cockpits, submarines and boardrooms.
The majority of our students gain immediate employment after they graduate, but further study comes a close second. This includes taught masters courses, PhD studentships and fast-track medical courses.
Our recent biochemistry graduates have gone on to roles such as:
- Medical Laboratory Assistant, Royal Surrey County Hospital
- Clinical Trial Associate, Inventiv Health
- Customer Services Analyst, Sanosi
- Pharmacy Assistant, North Hampshire Hospital
- Clinical Data Manager, Institute of Cancer Research
- Clinical Research Associate, Novartis
- Quality Engineer, The Body Shop International plc.
Study and work abroad
We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad. In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV. View our study and work abroad exchange information to find out more and see where you can go.
Please note: the status of the Erasmus+ scheme is dependent on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
Our international exchange programme offers you the opportunity to study abroad at a partner university for either one semester or a full academic year as part of your course. For biosciences students, this might be at one of our partner institutions in the US (for example Texas or Florida) or in Singapore.
The exchange programme enables you to study and live in another country, earning credits that contribute towards your Surrey degree, without paying extra tuition fees.
It gives you the chance to broaden your horizons, meet other students from around the world and experience student life in some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Studying abroad also enables you to become more independent, teaching you how to adapt and adjust to the culture and climate of another country.
In addition, or alternatively, you may choose to spend your Professional Training placement working in another country. Students have travelled to the US, Canada, Australia and many European countries, typically working in a research laboratory at a partner institution.
Recent placements have included roles at international institutions like Cornell University, Washington State University, Harvard Medical School (US), the University of Turku (Finland) and several other European universities.
If you work in another part of Europe in a foreign university laboratory you may be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant, as well as your full student loan if taking an unpaid research placement in an overseas university.
This is an excellent opportunity not only to gain valuable work experience but also to improve or learn another language.
Foundation year
The Biochemistry BSc with foundation has an additional year of study designed to support your transition on to latter years of the course. You will study full-time for one year at foundation level, and after successfully completing it you will be ready to move on to the next three years of the course.
This qualification is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
Please note: If there is an optional Professional Training placement as part of your course, you can view the full module listing for this on the relevant programme specification below:
Year 1
Year 2
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
1 from 2 listed optional modules
Year 3
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
5 from the 8 listed optional modules.
Students must take either BMS3092 or BMS3093 or both in addition to the compulsory modules.
Year 1
Year 2
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
1 from 2 listed optional modules
Year 3
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
5 from the 8 listed optional modules.
Students must take either BMS3092 or BMS3093 or both in addition to the compulsory modules.
Year 4
Timetables
Timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the course administrators. View our Timetabling Policy (PDF).
Teaching
We offer a modular course based on a structured programme of advanced study. During your first year, a significant part of teaching time is spent in laboratory practicals, preparing you for your final-year scientific research project, which is usually conducted in one of our research laboratories.
Each week, you’ll have an average of 20 hours of contact time (lectures, practicals and tutorials) and you’ll also be expected to carry out private study such as laboratory write-ups, essays and other coursework.
Watch a video of a biochemistry laboratory session.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the School of Biosciences and Medicine.
Research students will sometimes help to deliver your modules. These students will be researching in a similar subject to the module, and will have undertaken training prior to being invited to teach. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Programme leader
TRINDER S Dr (Biosc & Med)
Personal tutor
All taught students are assigned a personal tutor before beginning a programme of study. Personal tutors offer support and advice to students in the areas of:
- Academic progress
- Pastoral/welfare issues
- Personal/professional development and employability.
Assessment
Modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports. Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Learning and disability support
We have two services, Academic Skills and Development and the Disability and Neurodiversity Service which can help develop your learning.
Academic Skills and Development
Academic Skills and Development is a learning space in the Library where our learning development team is based. It comprises dedicated Student Learning Advisers and Information Skills Librarians who can help you develop your academic and research skills, including writing, presenting, revision and critical thinking.
Find out more about the study support available.
Disability and Neurodiversity Service
The University’s Disability and Neurodiversity Service supports students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning differences (such as dyslexia and dyspraxia) and other neurodiverse conditions (including autism spectrum and attention deficit disorder).
If you tell us about any conditions and register with us, we can give you appropriate support during your studies.
We can arrange exam and learning support adjustments, give advice on applications for the Disabled Students' Allowance, and test you for dyslexia and dyspraxia. We can also offer regular study skills and mentoring support.
Find out more about the support available or contact the team directly for further information.
English language support
Our English Language Support Programme (ELSP) provides tailored English language support during your studies. It is particularly valuable to students who speak English as a second or additional language, but native speakers are also welcome.
What qualifications do you need?
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here. The University of Surrey is also an IELTS test centre.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you may be invited to an Applicant Day. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Recognition of prior learning
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If this applies to you, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience, or to join the start of a course without the formal entry requirements. This means that you may be exempt from certain elements of study in the course for which you have applied and be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information. Please email Admissions with any queries.
Fees
| Qualification | Start date | Course length | Professional Training | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees | Professional Training fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Oct 2020 | 36 months | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | Not applicable | |
| BSc (Hons) | Oct 2020 | 48 months | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | |
| MSci (Hons) | Oct 2020 | 48 months | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | Not applicable | |
| MSci (Hons) | Oct 2020 | 60 months | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | |
| BSc (Hons) | Oct 2020 | 48 months | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | Not applicable | |
| BSc (Hons) | Oct 2020 | 60 months | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Additional costs
There are associated costs with this programme:
- Safety equipment and/or uniform: £20 - The equipment pack includes a laboratory coat, laboratory glasses, laboratory book, pen and padlock. Students are responsible for the costs associated with maintaining/washing/replacing any equipment.
Grand total: £20
How to apply
Learn how to apply for an undergraduate course, see details about the UCAS application process and determine the steps you need to take if you receive an offer to study.
Admissions information
Our undergraduate admissions policy provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students.
Our students
Our graduates
Student
Rowan Softley
Rowan Softley, Biochemistry graduate, talks about his placement at Lund University in Sweden and how this led to a joint research publication in the Journal Science Advances.
Find out more
Graduate
Jane M Bainbridge
"I do believe work experience is invaluable - I learnt about work and life and it was helpful to know in which direction I didn't want to go."
Find out more
Discover
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Placement location
As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement which would require attendance off campus, depending on where you secure your placement.
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
- Email: admissions@surrey.ac.uk
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH