Everything you need to know...
International: £13,650 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
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Course summary
- Attain key knowledge and practical experience of molecular, biochemical and analytical science.
- Study in award-winning laboratory facilities.
- Gain real-world experience of biochemistry with year-long or summer placement opportunities.
- Transfer to an MSci degree route for a year of practical research training, and improve the prospects of research-based employment.
- Grow and excel in this rewarding field, and graduate as an employable, experienced biochemist.
- Have the opportunity to work abroad — Erasmus funding is available for European placements.
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, this course provides you with a balanced, well-rounded education and hands-on practical training in biochemistry. You gain a deep understanding of the subject through industry placements and extensive lab work.
Student View
Watch student Lucy Flint talk about what it’s like to study on this course.
How you learn
You'll undertake comprehensive training in the latest biochemical and analytical methods, using industry-standard equipment within our world class teaching laboratories. You gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of biochemistry from a theoretical perspective, and undertake relevant work placements and mini research projects.
The quality of our teaching is evidenced through many course lecturers winning the University's Inspirational Teaching Awards multiple times and three receiving the Vice Chancellor's Inspirational Teaching Awards for their outstanding contributions.
You learn through
- lectures and workshops
- laboratory work
- research projects
- industry placements
- oral presentations
- development of lab posters
There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus programme.
Applied learning
Work placements
You can apply your knowledge and skills in the workplace by applying for a work placement in year three. This is a great opportunity to gain experience and professional skills that can give you a significant advantage at the start of your career. If you are unable to commit to a year, it is also possible to work for a shorter amount of time during a summer placement. These shorter placements can still contribute to your degree.
By securing a placement with one of our industry partners, you ensure that you enter the jobs market with a CV that attracts employer attention. You can apply for placements in companies such as Reckitt Benckiser, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute or in research laboratories, universities and hospitals.
If you are doing your work placement in another European country there may be funding available through the Erasmus programme.
Research projects
Working alongside research active staff you will have the opportunity to combine the skills and knowledge that you have gained during your degree to undertake a final year research project. This is usually completed in our laboratories at the University. It may also be possible to undertake your project at your placement organisation.
Networking opportunities
On top of your industry placement, the course has excellent links to the industry and its alumni, allowing you ample opportunity for networking.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- research and PhD training
- analysis
- the pharmaceutical industry
- biotechnology and analytical science
- university or hospital laboratories
- further study
- teaching
Previous graduates of this course have found jobs as
- senior study scientist in the Biological Immunoassay Department at Huntington Life Science, Cambridge
- graduate scientific role at stem cell production company Future Health
- food biochemist at Marks & Spencer
- analytical scientists at Covance and Reckitt Benkiser
Accreditation
This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers. The accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates from accredited programmes meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills. Graduates from Accredited programmes will receive one year’s free membership of the Royal Society of Biology at Associate level.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- nuclear magnetic resonance spectrophotometer
- state-of-the-art mass spectrometry equipment
- cell culture suites consisting of laminar flow hoods and incubators
- an extensive range of analytical equipment, such as HPLC and GC
- real-time PCR equipment for quantitative analysis of nucleic acids
- high-powered fluorescent and confocal microscopes for cell and tissue analysis
Our cell culture suite won an S-lab award for the best refurbished laboratory in 2011. The S-lab scheme is sponsored by highly regarded scientific organisations including the national HE-STEM programme, the Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 104
From three A levels (including Biology and Chemistry with at least 32 points from one of these subjects) or equivalent BTEC National qualifications in applied science to include suitable biology and chemistry modules. We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types. For example:
- BCC at A Level including Biology and Chemistry.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject(s).
- A combination of qualifications including relevant subject(s), which may include AS levels or EPQ.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Successful completion of our University Preparatory Year, Extended Degree Programme in Biosciences and Chemistry.
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly biology and chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.
You also need to demonstrate an ability to
• study academic subjects at degree level
• debate topics and issues
• draw on conclusions from written material
• study independently as well as a member of a group
• use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
• successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations
These are normally achieved through completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.
* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent
• equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) and explore any issues you may have.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 at the point of enrolment.
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. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
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 can take an optional placement in year three.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Cellular Biology And Biochemistry With Microbiology | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Fundamentals Of Organic Chemistry | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Human Physiology And Anatomy | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Principles Of Chemistry And Analytical Science | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Labs | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 1: Skills | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Analytical And Bioanalytical Science | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Molecular Biology And Biochemistry | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 2 | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Topics In Biochemistry | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Cell Biology | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Organic And Biological Chemistry | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Professional And Scientific Practice 3 | Credits: 20 |
Final year
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Analytical Science | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Applied Biochemistry | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Research Project | Credits: 40 |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Organic Synthesis And Spectroscopy | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Bioethics And Bioinformatics | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Bioethics And Human Genetics | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Bioinformatics And Human Genetics | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Pharmacology | Credits: 20 |
Fees and funding
Home/EU students
Our tuition fee for UK/EU students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2020/21 is £9,250 per year. 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 students starting full-time study in 2020/21 is £13,650 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)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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