The unique aspect of Biochemistry at the University of Surrey was the chance to get a taste of real life by doing a professional placement.
The diversity of the programme enabled me to gain insight into different scientific fields such as pharmacology, molecular biology and genetics.
As a result of this, I was able to decide where in this vast field my specific interests lie.
Surrey is one of the UK's leading universities for Biological Sciences, with our programmes ranked sixth in the Complete University Guide 2018 and in the top ten in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017 and the Guardian University Guide 2017.
The School of Biosciences and Medicine is home to a vibrant research community and an innovative teaching and learning environment.
Biochemistry is the study of the fundamental processes of life at the cellular level that deals with fascinating subjects such as metabolism, molecular biology, neuroscience, pharmacology and sleep.
As a Biochemistry degree student, you will gain extensive practical skills in our internationally renowned, research-oriented environment so that you are prepared to work at the forefront of developments in this exciting field.
This programme will give you a very sound and broad background in biochemistry. You will have opportunities to familiarise yourself with state-of-the-art biochemical methodology and sample some of its most intriguing applications.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specification documents which include further details such as the learning outcomes. Please be aware that these specifications are applicable to the current academic year.
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Many of our students opt to do a Professional Training placement. These normally begin at the end of the second academic year and finish in time for you to begin the third year of study.
Professional Training placements offer students the opportunity to gain access to the world of work, including meeting employers, developing job search skills and acquiring the employability skills that employers look for. Find out more about Professional Training placements.
These additional costs are accurate as of May 2017 and apply to the 2017 year of entry. Costs for 2018 entry will be published in September 2017.
There are associated costs with this programme:
Grand total: £20
We offer a modular degree based on a structured programme of advanced study. During your first year, a significant part of teaching time is spent in laboratory practicals, whereas in your final year you will be performing your own scientific research project, usually in one of our research laboratories.
On average you will have approximately 20 hours of contact time each week (lectures, practicals and tutorials) and you will also be expected to undertake private study such as laboratory write-ups, essays and other coursework.
Watch a video of a Biochemistry laboratory session.
Discover more about our academic staff in the Faculty of Health and Medical Science.
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.
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 programme structure section for more information.
Our teaching laboratories have recently been refurbished to provide you with state-of-the-art learning environments. You will spend a significant proportion of your time within them during your first and second years.
In your final year, you will spend 25 per cent of your time on your research project. This research will be carried out in one of our 4*-rated research groups.
Several million pounds has been spent on refurbishing and equipping these laboratories.
You are allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and advise on your option choices and future career, helping you to get the most out of your time at Surrey.
You will also be paired with a student from the year of study above you, so that you can benefit from their recent experience on the programme.
As a Biochemistry student at Surrey, you will be treated as an individual. You will feel welcome from your very first day, and our low student-to-tutor ratio ensures that you will get to know your personal tutor and other academic staff members well during your years with us.
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. To check where you can go, visit our Global Exchanges pages.
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 degree.
For Biosciences students, this might be possible for one or two semesters during your second year at one of our partner institutions in the USA (for example Texas or Florida) or in Singapore.
The exchange programme enables you to study and live in another country, and earn credits that contribute towards your Surrey degree, without paying additional 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 wish to consider spending your Professional Training year working in another country. Students have travelled to the USA, Canada, Australia and many European countries, and typically work in a research laboratory at a partner institution.
If you work in another part of Europe in a foreign university laboratory you will be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant, as well as your full student loan if undertaking an unpaid research placement.
This is an excellent opportunity not only to acquire valuable work experience but also improve or learn another language.
We are very proud of our track record for graduate employability. One of the main reasons for our graduate employability success is our Professional Training placement programme which is one of the largest in the World, with over 2,300 partner organisations in the UK and overseas. To find out more visit our Careers and Professional Training pages.
The majority of our students choose to undertake 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 taken place at international institutions including 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 apply to, and choose between, a selection of excellent placements in industry, hospitals and academia.
Watch a video featuring Biochemistry students on placement in America.
Our Biochemistry graduates are found in academic and industrial research laboratories throughout the world. You will also find them in the city, in schools, hospitals, cockpits, submarines and boardrooms.
The majority of our graduates go immediately into the job market, but further study comes a close second. This includes taught Masters programmes, PhD studentships and fast-track medical degree programmes.
Our recent Biochemistry graduates have gone on to roles such as:
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
| Qualification | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | 3 years | C700 | View KIS data set | |
| BSc (Hons) | 4 years | C702 | View KIS data set |
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate programmes.
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.
There are additional costs associated with this programme – view the additional costs section for full details.
Programmes marked with a tick in the table above include a Professional Training placement.
A reduced fee is charged for Professional Training placements.
Fees will not have to be paid up front for those eligible students who decide to take up the Government's loan for higher education fees. The Professional Training placement is a key factor in the high employability rates achieved by students with Surrey degrees.
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
Experienced staff in our International Student Office are available to help from the moment you consider studying at the University. We offer professional advice on immigration, visa issues, entry qualifications, pre-departure information, employment regulations and international student welfare.
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Find out how to write a personal statement that will help your application stand out.
Our Animal Science programmes are ranked second in the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.
Final-year students gave Surrey an overall satisfaction rating of 90 per cent in the 2016 National Student Survey.
Alec graduated from Surrey with a BSc in Microbiology in 1987 and works as Head of Quality, Safety and Supplier Performance at Sainsbury’s.
Sanjana explains why she loves Surrey’s vibrant student community and how her Professional Training placement year helped shape her career ambitions.
"Surrey’s facilities are fantastic. You name it, and it’s on campus. All the lecturers are expert in their fields, and I have had one-to-one sessions when I’ve struggled with specific topics."
"During my placement, I learnt a wide range of techniques which I’m finding really handy in the final year."
"I’ve developed a huge range of skills while on placement. I’ve also gained a good understanding of the challenges of working within the food industry, and learnt about the vast array of opportunities there are out there for nutritionists."
"My three placements were really enjoyable and allowed me to put the knowledge I gained from lectures into practice."
"The skills I learnt during my placement year were invaluable when it came to writing my final-year dissertation."
"The laboratories are excellent and you’re able to work with a range of media, from bacterial cultures to live tissues."
Take our sleep quiz to discover whether your sleep preferences mean you’re a morning or an evening person – or somewhere in between.
"I've met so many different people."
"I met lots of people through clubs and societies – they really make your university experience."
"I would encourage everyone to undertake a Professional Training placement year. Not only does it help you to figure out what you want to do after your degree, but you also gain so much knowledge and life experience."
Our groundbreaking sleep studies are published in high impact academic journals, and our academics frequently appear on television and feature in national and international newspapers.
Heather Lapp, Senior Research Associate at T2 Biosystems
Dr Christopher Johnson: Consultant, Business Mentor & Coach at Meritas; Non-Executive Director of Mundesley Hospital
Gertrude Martindale, BSc Biomedical Sciences, class of 2008Gertrude Martindale, Senior Biomedical Scientist at the NHS
Jane graduated with a BSc Biochemistry and MSc Toxicology in 1986. She is now Vice president at Celgene Corporation, a global biopharmaceutical company, in New Jersey, USA.
Matshediso Zachariah, completed the MSc Clinical Biochemistry programme at Surrey - now called MSc Health and Clinical Sciences.
Sanjeeva graduated with a PG Certificate in Nutritional Medicine in 2012. He works as a consultant community physician and in January 2013 was appointed as the National Programme Manager in charge of the family planning programme in Sri Lanka
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