Biochemistry BSc (Hons), sandwich with work placement

Discover life at its most fundamental level.

On this BSc (Hons) Biochemistry degree, accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), you’ll learn how biochemists fight disease, edit genomes, understand human and animal development and apply synthetic biology to current problems in biotechnology.

By exploring the latest scientific theory through lab training, you'll gain the skills and expertise to become a professional biochemist and apply for Associate Membership of the RSB on graduation.

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry within living things – everything from humans and animals, to plants and cells. It combines biology, chemistry and molecular analysis to develop new approaches within many scientific fields, including healthcare and medicine, agriculture, biotechnology and the environment. 

This means there is a huge range of sectors you can go into with a biochemistry degree, and there will always be a high demand for your skills.

Once you complete your BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, you’ll be ready for a career in scientific research, forensic science or pharmaceuticals. With specialist modules like Business for Biosciences and Mechanisms of Development, you’ll have many opportunities to discover your niche.

In the UK, you could earn an average of £24 000 as a newly-graduated biochemist and an average of up to £50 000 with more experience.

What I loved the most about this course was being able to work among senior scientists and assist in investigations addressing global issues and human diseases.

Rebecca Cimaroli, BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

What can you do with a biochemistry degree?

There are many career paths a BSc (Hons) Biochemistry degree can lead you to.

Previous students have gone on to do valuable work in fields such as:

• industrial research
• academic research leading to a PhD
• biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
• science teaching
• the health service
• scientific writing and the media

Graduates have gone on to work in roles including:

• research scientist
• sequencing and validation scientist
• research and development leadership programme scientist
• pharmaceutical data analyst
• site intelligence specialist
• phlebotomist

Graduate destinations

Organisations our graduates have gone on to work in include:

• Pall Europe
• Oxford Nanopore Technologies
• MedPharm
• Celgene

Placement year (optional)

After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.

You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, or you could go independent by setting up and running your own business with other students. 

Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.

Summer research placement

You'll also have the opportunity to apply to a study exchange scheme, which involves a summer research placement at a European university.

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.

There is a lot of practical work which helps me to learn, as you can put into practice what you have learnt in your lectures and see it first hand.

Georgina Dawes, BSc (Hons) Biochemistry