BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at the University of Salford
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Foundation Year at University of Salford covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
About this course
Study the cutting-edge of science as you explore the meeting of biology and chemistry with our RSB-accredited BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Foundation Year degree. Laboratory-based learning. Include a placement. Apply now. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Foundation Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Salford. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Biological Sciences, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Foundation 4 modules
- Data HandlingCore
Module details
Develop skills for the application of statistical and mathematical methods and practise using Information Technology for effective the presentation and communication of data and ideas.
- Professional CommunicationsCore
Module details
This module will provide students with a structured and supportive environment in which to develop their academic practice and professionalism. This will be achieved through a series of lectures and tutor-led seminars that will equip students with the skills required for successful study in Higher Education.
- Biological PrinciplesCore
Module details
Explore the characteristics of plant and animal cells which are the building blocks of all life forms; their interactions with micro and macro environments, and learn about the diversity of animal and plant life in a range of ecosystems.
- Science for HealthCore
Module details
Evaluate a range of environmental and scientific factors that interact to influence health – e.g. pollution, nutrition, drug development and consider examples of environmental interventions and clinical trials.
Year one 6 modules
- Biological ChemistryCore
Module details
This module will help you understand key concepts in biological chemistry, including spectroscopy and spectrometry techniques for identifying small organic molecules; chemical reactivity and molecular interactions; chromatography; and kinetics and thermodynamics.
- GeneticsCore
Module details
Genetics has become a central topic not only in biological science, but also for topics such as data science, art and culture. Genetics is revolutionising all spheres of life at an unprecedented speed. It is central to all areas of biology, from cellular development and reproduction to conservation and biodiversity. In this core module, we will provide you with the framework of this diverse area, covering areas from DNA fingerprinting and DNA/RNA editing, to ethics and conservation biology. We w
- Introduction to Organic ChemistryCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to introduce organic chemistry through structure and mechanism. You will study organic reactions of key functional groups such as alkenes, carbonyl and aromatic compounds.
- Biochemical and Pharmaceutical SkillsCore
Module details
This is a practical laboratory based module aiming to develop practical skills in the areas of biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences and general chemistry. The students will be involved in hands-on laboratory work covering a range of essential techniques used in academia and industry. Students will be given feedback on their work during the classes.
- Introductory BiochemistryCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to introduce principles of biochemistry. You will study biochemical pathways and organelles, relevant to cell biology.
- Cell BiologyCore
Module details
This module provides a broad cell biology knowledge base, building a solid foundation of key scientific content relevant to subsequent modules within several bioscience degrees.
Year two 6 modules
- Clinical and Molecular GeneticsCore
Module details
Clinical and Molecular Genetics will enable students to gain practical skills in molecular biology and bioinformatics, through linked laboratory and computer sessions. The lecture programme is delivered by three academics, each an expert in their specific area of clinical and molecular genetics. Topics covered include, current molecular biology and bioinformatics techniques, the control of bacterial and eukaryotic gene expression and the effect of mutations on gene expression and how this can le
- Fundamentals of BiochemistryCore
Module details
This module comprises a series of laboratory practicals and lectures that focus on teaching core skills in protein biochemistry and key aspects of metabolism.
- Chemical and Biochemical Research SkillsCore
Module details
This module will help you develop your scientific writing and communication skills, and understand key statistical methods that may be applied to the chemical and biochemical sciences.
- Human PhysiologyCore
Module details
Investigate the function of major organ systems and how they regulate homeostasis. Using cutting-edge lab equipment, you will develop practical skills to analyse physiological adaptations as true physiologists do in the world sport and exercise science.
- Genomics and ProteomicsCore
Module details
This module provides an appreciation of topics in biochemistry with an emphasis on genomics, proteomics, structural biology and their application in research and industry.
- Medical BiochemistryCore
Module details
You will be introduced to the concepts of chemical and biochemical testing and their relevance to clinical diagnostics. The module will develop your knowledge and understanding about biochemical changes in disease, and you will learn practical techniques used in clinical chemistry laboratory. This module is a combination of lectures and practical sessions.
Year three 7 modules
- Biochemistry of Drugs and DiseaseCore
Module details
This module will provide a contemporary overview of some important disease processes and associated drug intervention mechanisms.
- Current Topics in BiochemistryCore
Module details
This module comprises a series of lectures based around the latest research developments in biochemistry. There is also a lab practical/mini-project on gene function analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans using the technique of RNA-interference (RNAi).
- Final Year Project and Professional SkillsCore
Module details
This dissertation module allows you to develop independent research skills, including both data collection/generation (for example, via lab-based research or fieldwork) and analysis, while conducting research on a topic in an area relevant to your programme of study. You will also develop your professional skills, with a focus on employability.
- Science and Industry BSc HonsOptional
Module details
This module will help you develop an understanding of the fundamentals of sustainability and greenness, and recovery from a post-pandemic landscape featuring skills sets of biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical, pharmaceutical and personal health care, from the laboratory to gaining understanding of the workings of industry. The material issued as lecture notes and support guides will be all released pre-module and each lecture session will flip learning to workshop through the academic staff and
- Cancer: Bench to BedsideOptional
Module details
Students will learn the critical biological capabilities that enable tumour cancer initiation, maintenance and progression, and how some of these hold promise as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. The module contains an overview of the basic biology of cancer and applicable therapeutic strategies, with attention paid to relevant current technologies and future directions in cancer biology. Lectures will be complemented with tutorials where students will be involved in critical reading of
- BiotechnologyOptional
Module details
This module will help you develop an understanding of molecular techniques underpinning the science associated with the societal grand challenges of feeding the world and antibiotic resistance, and introduce the principles and techniques of genetic modification. On completion you will be able to apply a range of research and presentation techniques to a choice of research projects.
- Clinical ImmunologyOptional
Module details
Immunology is the study of the immune system. It is now a well-developed basic science, which is useful for the diagnosis and management of a great number and variety of human diseases. This module is designed to give an in-depth view of the basic components of the immune system and how these influence human diseases. Research-based discussion will be part of this module in understanding immune mechanisms in defense against human diseases and how these mechanisms can be dysregulated. Understandi
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
This RSB-accredited degree combines laboratory-based learning in biochemistry with biology and chemistry, anchored in practical work from the outset. You'll usually begin with foundations in cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and evolution, alongside practical and data skills. Year 2 typically moves into molecular biology, physiology or microbiology, and research methods conducted in the lab. In your final year, you'll choose specialist options such as biomedical science, molecular biology, ecology and conservation, biotechnology, microbiology, or neuroscience, whilst engaging with current research literature and completing an extended research project. A placement is included as part of the course structure.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking a structured introduction to biochemistry through a foundation year, combined with flexible part-time study. It's designed for students who want to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical research capabilities whilst balancing other commitments. The independent project and professional skills components prepare you for roles requiring scientific expertise and independent thinking.
University & format
The University of Salford is a public university founded in 1896, located in Salford. This BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Foundation Year is delivered part-time and taught in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and its degrees are nationally recognised. It holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, and is.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
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. 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 Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. 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
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Salford →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.
- 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.
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.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Salford
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 Salford University
10 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 University of Salford from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Salford; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 University of Salford’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 University of Salford and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Salford
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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