BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with a Placement Year

Course Overview

Immerse yourself in the wonder of biological organisms and processes at the molecular level. Explore all aspects of life from molecules to cells, tissues and organisms, right up to populations and ecosystems. Learn from leading research scientists who are specialists in their fields of study.

Our biochemistry degrees at UEA are taught jointly by the Schools of Biological Sciences and Chemistry. This dual approach means that in all elements of the course you benefit from subject-specific experts who inform our undergraduate teaching. Both Schools have research environments recognized to be internationally excellent and with researchers generating outputs of international standing.

During your time at UEA, you’ll have the chance to study a range of fascinating subjects, progressing from the basics of biochemistry to higher-level research areas such as protein engineering and cancer biology. You’ll not only learn how to perform ground-breaking and highly specialised research, but also how to interpret and communicate these findings to the wider scientific community. Additionally, this course will give you the opportunity to gain experience outside of the classroom by spending your third year on a work placement. During this year, you’ll gain experience and insight that’s highly valued by future employers, putting you one step ahead of other graduates.

You’ll benefit from our enviable position as an integral partner of the Norwich Research Park, which houses the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as well as independent, world-renowned research institutes such as the John Innes Centre (research in plant and microbial sciences), the Sainsbury Laboratory (plant-microbe interactions), the Earlham Institute (computational biosciences and biotechnology) and the Quadram Institute (gut health, microbiology and food science). 

As a biochemist, you’ll have the potential to make an impact on many areas of contemporary science, including health, nutrition, clean energy and tackling pollution. Biochemists are frequent winners of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry and Michael Houghton, an alumnus of the UEA School of Biological Sciences and Biochemistry PhD, won the Nobel prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2020.

This course is open to

UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.

We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.

You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.

English and Mathematics

All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.

We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.

Typical International Entry Requirements

A levels

AAB including Chemistry.

Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.

International Baccalaureate

33 points overall with HL 5 in Chemistry.

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.

INTO UEA

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

• IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components).

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

  If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

Recent Study

We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.

Employability

Your biochemistry degree will give you a broad range of employment and postgraduate opportunities. You may go on to work in biotechnology, medicinal chemistry, clinical biochemistry, forensic science, the brewing and food industries, medical biochemistry, science patenting or teaching. 

Alternatively, you might choose to progress to a higher degree. Our graduates have progressed to a range of specialists taught Master’s degrees including Dietetics or Molecular Medicine. Some students opt for graduate entry medicine. A significant number of our graduates have gone on to doctoral study, after which they take up posts in university, medical or industrial research laboratories.  

Examples of careers that you could enter include: 

• Medical or industrial research
• Biotechnology
• Medicinal chemistry
• Clinical biochemistry
• Health professions (e.g. physician associate, dietitian)
• Brewing and food industries

Discover more on our Careers webpages.