MSci (Hons) Biology and Chemistry Integrated Master's degree at Durham University
MSci (Hons) Biology and Chemistry at Durham University. Rather than treating the two sciences as separate strands that happen to share a timetable, the course is designed so that your understanding of biological systems and chemical principles develops in parallel, giving you the grounding to…
About this course
Biology and Chemistry MSci CF12 - Durham University Skip to main content MSci (Hons) Biology and Chemistry Taught by discipline experts this course builds knowledge in core biology and chemistry culminating in an interdisciplinary research project. From the provider’s course page.
MSci (Hons) Biology and Chemistry is an Integrated Master's degree (MSci (Hons)) at Durham University, based in Durham Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Physical sciences graduates from this provider, 88% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 84% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £34,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Biological Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 95; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 88% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 97% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Molecules and CellsCompulsory
Module details
Gives an overview of cells and their molecular components. It explores the structure and functions of proteins and biological membranes; cellular metabolism and energy-generating processes; and communication and signalling between cells.
- GeneticsCompulsory
Module details
Introduces the development of genetics and the processes linking genotype to phenotype in living organisms. It provides an overview of modern technologies for genetic analysis and manipulation.
- Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & EnergeticsCompulsory
Module details
Provides the foundation for your future studies and covers organic, inorganic and physical chemistry including basic laboratory techniques.
- Experimental Chemistry I: Introductory to Laboratory TechniquesCompulsory
- Mathematical Methods for ChemistsCompulsory
Module details
Builds on your pre-university mathematical skills and ensures that you understand the vocabulary and its use in Chemistry.
- Single Mathematics ACompulsory
Module details
Has background mathematical knowledge that is used in the sciences, but is taught by the Maths department.
Year 2 5 modules
- Molecular BiologyCompulsory
Module details
Examines the central role of molecular biology in modern biosciences and methods of gene analysis and gene manipulation. In this module you will cover recombinant DNA techniques, transcription and translation in eukaryotes, principles of gene regulation and bioinformatics.
- MetabolismCompulsory
Module details
Provides a global view of the functioning of the metabolic network in the cell, through an exploration of catalysis and biochemical pathways in depth. This module also explores relationships between protein structure and function.
- Cell SignallingCompulsory
Module details
Looks at the different mechanisms by which cells respond to external stimuli. You will also study the steps of signal transduction mechanisms and comparative aspects of signalling processes in organisms from different kingdoms.
- Principles of Organic Chemistry: Aromaticity & Synthetic StrategyCompulsory
Module details
Explores how the structure of organic molecules affects reactions.
- Practical Chemistry Level 2 – IntegratedCompulsory
Module details
This laboratory based module explores synthesis across the disciplines of inorganic and organic chemistry as well developing an understanding of how measurements are taken (physical and analytical), analysed and interpreted.
Year 3 10 modules
- Cellular BiochemistryCompulsory
Module details
Will look at recombinant protein production and manipulation in industrial, pharmaceutical and research uses. You will also learn about yeast cell biology and about aspects of biochemistry which are relevant to biotechnology, such as microbial transport and roles of metal ions in biological processes.
- Stress and Responses to the EnvironmentCompulsory
Module details
Provide an advanced overview of how selected organisms respond to examples of abiotic and biotic stresses and develops a detailed understanding to detect, respond, and adapt to the stresses.
- Bioactive Chemistry 3Compulsory
Module details
Develops the fundamentals of chemistry through in-depth discussion of selected areas such as Pericyclic transformations in synthetic organic chemistry, Selectivity in organic transformations, Molecular biophysics and Applied spectroscopy.
- Advanced Biological ChemistryCompulsory
Module details
Explores the application of chemical knowledge and analytical methods to biological systems by reviewing recent biochemical literature.
- Contemporary Organic Chemistry: Pericyclic & StereoselectivityCompulsory
Module details
Explores the formation of new C-C and C-X through advanced chemical transformations activated by thermal and photochemical processes. It also explores the control over chirality through the generation of predictive models.
- Biosciences Literature ReviewOptional
- Contemporary Issues in the BiosciencesOptional
- Biology Of DiseaseOptional
- GenomicsOptional
- Science EnterpriseOptional
Year 4 3 modules
- Research ProjectCompulsory
Module details
Introduces research at the biology-chemistry interface and imparts new experimental, analytical, theoretical and problem-solving skills through a project including laboratory work, and the writing of a research report containing work of potentially publishable novelty and quality.
- WorkshopCompulsory
Module details
Develops your knowledge of the advanced practical techniques used to undertake research in biological sciences, including biological, biochemical and molecular biological techniques.
- Frontiers In Molecular AssemblyCompulsory
Module details
Provides an advanced overview of more specialised areas of chemistry, such as classifying drugs according to their site and mode of action.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is structured to take you from foundational knowledge through to independent research, with content organised around core theory, research & methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills. Early years concentrate on building solid grounding in core biology and chemistry, covering the theoretical frameworks that underpin both subjects alongside the practical and analytical methods scientists use to test them. As you progress, teaching moves towards applied practice, giving you the chance to put ideas into practice in laboratory and research settings, before you choose specialist options such as areas that reflect your own developing interests within the two disciplines. The final stages centre on an independent research project, where you draw together biological and chemical knowledge to investigate a question of your own, supported by staff with relevant research expertise. Professional skills are woven throughout, helping you build the habits of scientific communication, data handling and project management that carry into further study or employment. The course carries accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria towards Chartered Chemist (CChem) status, reflecting the chemistry content's alignment with professional standards in that field.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who hasn't wanted to choose between biology and chemistry and would rather understand how the two fields inform one another, whether that's how chemical processes underpin living systems or how biological questions demand chemical tools to answer them. You should be comfortable with sustained study, since the integrated master's runs a year longer than a standard degree and asks for real commitment to both subjects rather than treating one as secondary. It will suit students who enjoy laboratory work and methodical enquiry, and who are motivated by the prospect of designing and carrying out their own research project rather than only following set experiments. A good number of entrants arrive with A-levels or equivalent, and most come in with a UCAS tariff above 240 points, so you're likely to be joining a cohort with a solid academic background in the sciences. If you're the kind of person who likes to keep asking "why" and "how" across disciplinary lines, and who can see themselves still working through a research problem in their fourth year, this course is built with you in mind.
Careers & job market
Graduates from Biological Sciences courses nationally show that, 15 months after graduating, 85% are in work or further study, and of those in work, 60% are in highly skilled roles or further study, figures drawn from Graduate Outcomes data across the field rather than specific to this course. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) for the field show starting salaries of roughly £23,000–£29,000 fifteen months after graduation, with figures of £20,400–£28,800 after three years and £25,075–£35,400 after five years; these are national ranges and give a sense of the spread rather than a guarantee for any individual. The combination of biology and chemistry, together with the accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry, may be relevant for those considering routes towards chartered chemist status or further study in either discipline. Nationally, 90% of students on comparable courses continue past their first year, which is worth bearing in mind as a general indicator of course engagement and progression.
University & format
Durham University is a public, research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1832 and home to around 19,520 students. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality under the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and was. This MSci (Hons) in Biology and Chemistry (UCAS code CF12) is studied full-time over four years at the Durham Campus, taught in English, and leads to an integrated master's award.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 97% |
| Other | 3% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code CF12). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Durham University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Biological Sciences graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £34,000 | £30,000 – £40,000 | 95 |
| 3 years after | £35,000 | £28,000 – £43,000 | 285 |
| 5 years after | £44,000 | £32,000 – £61,500 | 345 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 95; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in biological sciences · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Biological Sciences nationally
National figures for Biological Sciences graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 95; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Biological Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 771 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 21% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 13% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 13% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 205; response rate: 54%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Biological Sciences graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Biological Sciences graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS & hospital labs
- Pharma & biotech
- Universities & institutes
- Public-health bodies
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Biological Sciences graduates.
Head of School, Biological Sciences - Strategic Leadership & GrowthUNIVERSITY OF READINGEducation-Focused Assistant Professor, Biological SciencesUniversity of BirminghamBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambicBiological Structures Data Engineer I/IIIambic Therapeutics, IncCrop Geneticist The James Hutton Institute, Department of Cell & Molecular SciencesEuropean Plant Science OrganisationRegional Lead, Life Sciences FM, UK, Ireland & NordicsJLLIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
88% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £34,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 88% · in work or study 88% · continued 97%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Durham
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Durham Campus
698 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Biological Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Durham University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £34,400 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Durham University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Durham University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Durham University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about MSci (Hons) Biology and Chemistry
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.