Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,250 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
International/EU: £16,655 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
4/5 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
A045
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When do I start?
September 2024
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Study life at cellular, molecular and chemical levels.
- Combine biological and chemical modules, ranging from Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry to Medical Chemistry and Drug Synthesis.
- Tailor your degree structure to your interests and career ambitions.
- Learn how the latest scientific innovations are being used to have a positive impact on the world.
- Work with our expert staff to complete your own cutting-edge research projects in our award-winning labs using industry standard equipment.
- Take an optional placement year, enabling you to gather priceless hands-on experience in an industrial setting.
Our BSc Biochemistry course provides a theoretical and practical knowledge of biochemistry. As well as the option to take a year-long placement, you can adapt the degree to your career ambitions – choosing a biological or chemical focus. You can also transfer to the MSci route for a specialist year of research-intensive study.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Student's success story
Katie chose to study BSc Biochemistry as a career move from working as an art & design technician and volunteering as a community first responder for South Yorkshire ambulance service and has now completed her placement year in a lab at Technostics in Hull.
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
You’ll be taught by active researchers and scientific experts with a history of working in the pharmaceutical industry. We encourage a hands-on approach, with your learning linked to departmental research themes to make sure you’re learning at the forefront of science.
You’ll also have opportunities to undertake research projects at the end of each year, culminating in a final year 6-week project. This could be a lab-based biochemical or chemistry project, or focus on bioinformatics, big data, computational modelling, systematic reviews, educational development or scientific communication.
You learn through:
- In-person seminars and lectures
- Independent study
- Tutorials and academic adviser sessions
- Practical lab experiences with industry-standard equipment
- Placements and research opportunities
- Real life research projects
- The latest scientific software and data analysis tools
- Problem solving and group activities
Key themes
In your first year, you’ll learn fundamental life sciences before moving onto applied modules such as biochemistry and genetics, using the latest technologies including PCR, genome sequencing, and bioinformatics software. You’ll be trained in organic and physical chemistry and analytical techniques.
In your second year, you’ll study molecular and cellular biochemistry – training in the latest analytical and bioanalytical technologies and undertaking a laboratory project. You’ll get to choose a more chemical or biological focus too.
In your third year, you’ll study applied biochemistry and advanced analytical techniques, with elective choices such as advanced therapeutics and personalised medicine, medical chemistry and drug discovery, neuroscience and neurophysiology, and genetics. You’ll also work with staff to complete an independent research project.
Course support
Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:
- Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources to help you to plan and structure your assignments.
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long placement between your second and third year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Previous students have completed placements for companies and organisations such as Ricketts and Benkiser, Labcorp, Marks and Spencer Food, the Wellcome Sanger Institute Cambridge, and a variety of pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies.
Research projects
Throughout your degree, you’ll undertake a series of research projects in which you’ll be given a question and hypothesis to test, putting the practical skills you’ve developed throughout the year into practice within mini projects. This will help you build confidence in the laboratory, as you work towards becoming a more autonomous scientist.
You’ll then complete your own independent research project in your final year. You’ll select a topic from your preferred discipline, and you’ll work alongside a research-active member of staff.
Previous students have completed research in areas such as cancer cell biology, organic synthesis of new drugs, understanding the mechanism of disease progression, as well as bioinformatics and data analysis projects.
Live projects
You could also return to your placement host and undertake a real-world research project in their labs. In recent years, our students have undertaken research at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITRANS), Technostics Hull, Reckitt Benckiser Hull and the University of Sheffield Medical School.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Medical research
- Clinical science
- Analytical science
- Scientific sales and marketing
- Pharmaceutical research and development
- The biotechnology industry
- Scientific communication or journalism
- Doctoral Research
- Academia
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- Biological Immunoassay Department at Huntingdon Life Science, Cambridge
- Marks and Spencer Foods
- Biocorp
- Reckitt Benckiser
- Labcorp
Many graduates also go on to complete further study, including PhDs at the best research institutions in the World.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreLearn more about your department
Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour
Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.
Equipment and facilities
You’ll have access to a wide variety of collaborative and independent learning spaces – including our cell culture facilities, which won an S-lab award for the best refurbished laboratory. The S-lab scheme is sponsored by highly-regarded organisations including HE-STEM, the Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
On this course you work with:
- Our specialist laboratories using industry-standard scientific equipment and software.
- The latest molecular molecule tools such as RTqPCR, genome sequencing, cellular transfection, plus data analysis and bioinformatics software.
- Analytical tools such as HPLC, mass spectrometry, NMR and gas chromatography equipment.
- Digital resources to help with drug design and synthesis, bioinformatics and practical lab preparation, as well as full lab simulations.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 64
From A levels to include at least 24 points in any one A level and at least 16 points from a science subject (biology/chemistry/human biology). Or BTEC National qualification in Applied Science. We do not accept general studies. For example:
- MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science.
- Pass overall from a T level qualification in either Health -Care Science or Science with D or E from core.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject considered. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent.
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.
If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Concepts In Biology And Chemistry
Developing Skills For Science
Foundation Skills For Science
Foundations Of Biology And Chemistry
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Biochemistry And Genetics
Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists
Fundamentals Of Life Sciences
Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists
Principles Of Chemical Analysis
Year 3
Compulsory modules
Applications Of Analytical Science
Applying Professional Skills For Scientists
Developing Professional Skills For Scientists
Molecular And Cellular Biochemistry
Elective modules
Immunology And Microbiology
Organic And Biosynthetic Chemistry
Year 4
Compulsory modules
Placement Year For Biosciences And Chemistry
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advanced Analytical Science
Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists
Applied Biochemistry
Research Project
Elective modules
Advanced Chemical Synthesis
Advanced Genetics
Advanced Therapeutics And Personalised Medicine
Applications Of Data Science
Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery
Neurobiology And Neurophysiology
Pharmacology
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Biosciences and chemistry courses (PDF, 427.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
