MSci Biochemistry with Professional Placement

The Biochemistry with Professional Placement MSci course offers the opportunity to combine an academic degree course with a full year of professional training in a non-University setting.

Advances in the biosciences are having a profound impact on our daily lives, from human health to conservation, making it a hugely rewarding area to study and work in. As a scientific discipline, biochemistry sits at the interface between biology, chemistry, pharmacology and medicine, and this unique position opens up a stunning variety of career paths.

Studying at Birmingham means you'll benefit from high-technology facilities and teaching from world-renowned experts in their field. You will be able to tailor your course to match your own interests and goals. The course builds on the content and structure of the corresponding 3-year BSc Biochemistry course, but it includes the placement between second and final year. The central element of the placement year is a research or development project at the industry partner.

The Professional Placement year is intercalated between the second and final years of the course and encompasses a defined project agreed between the employer, the University and yourself. The placement year will allow you not just to gain professional experience, but also to start building a network of professional contacts. Finally, it will give a fresh perspective for the final year of the course.

Specialist Degree Labels

Across all of our Biochemistry programmes you are able to reflect on the modules you have taken and add a specific pathway (if you meet the requirements) at the start of the final year of your degree programme. These labels enable you to showcase a particular area of interest and skills that may act as a springboard to the next stage of your career. The following labels may be added to our Biochemistry degree programmes:

• Microbiology and Infection
• Genetics

Read more about our Biochemistry Specialist Degree Labels

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Advanced Degree accreditation highlights the degrees that have the potential to educate the life science leaders and innovators of the future.

The flexible Biochemistry with Professional Placement MSci degree at Birmingham offers specialisms in areas such as medical biochemistry and genetics and is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. UCAS code C702

We will consider students who have taken GCE A Level examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB) for entrance to onto our undergraduate programmes. Holders of the Thanawiyah are not normally eligible for direct entry onto our undergraduate courses without the completion of a suitable foundation programme, such as one of our foundation pathways.

English Language

You will need to demonstrate a certain level of English language, either through an English test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, or we may be able to accept your previous or alternative qualifications as evidence. Please view the entry requirements for specific programme requirements, and details on our presessional English language courses.

Number of A levels required:

3

Typical offer:

AAA

Required subjects and grades:

A level Chemistry and a second science°. Minimum of five GCSEs to include Mathematics, English and double award science at grade 4/C

°Subjects accepted as 'second science': Biology, Human Biology, Mathematics (or Further Mathematics, or Statistics), Physics.

Specified subjects excluded for entry: General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, Applied Science, Communication and Culture, Critical Studies, Global Perspectives, Science in Society and World Development.

The typical offer for the Professional Placement course is higher than that for the corresponding three year BSc degree course. However, all candidates who firmly accept the offer as their first choice will be automatically offered a place on the corresponding three year course should they miss the higher, but meet the standard offer.

BTEC National Extended Diploma D*D*D* in Applied Science

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma D*D* in Applied Science and A Level grade A in Chemistry

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate D* in Applied Science, Applied Human Biology, or Applied Psychology and 2 A Levels at grades AA, with the A in A Level Chemistry.

Or

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate D* in any subject and 2 A Levels with grades AA, to include Chemistry and a second science subject.

Access to HE (Science) with sufficient Biology and Chemistry content is considered. Contact Admissions Team for details.

Other qualifications are considered – learn more about entry requirements

Applicants who take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for the programme, plus an alternative offer, which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ.

International Students

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 6,6,6 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. Higher level subjects need to include the required subjects as defined for the A-level qualification.

Standard English language requirements apply
Learn more about international entry requirements

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.