BSc (Hons) Biochemistry Bachelor's degree at UCL
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry at UCL. Biochemistry at UCL sits within a research-intensive environment where teaching is shaped by active scientific enquiry rather than a fixed textbook syllabus.
About this course
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BSc (Hons) Biochemistry is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at UCL, based in London. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 95% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,500. (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)
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 98% (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
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Basics for Molecular BiosciencesCompulsory
- Experimental BiochemistryCompulsory
- Introduction to MicrobiologyCompulsory
- Introduction to GeneticsCompulsory
- Cells and DevelopmentCompulsory
- Chemistry for BiologistsCompulsory
Year 2 20 modules
- Molecular Biology Research Project FoundationsCompulsory
- Metabolism and Its RegulationCompulsory
- Physical Chemistry for Life SciencesCompulsory
- Introduction to Human GeneticsOptional
- Comparative Cell BiologyOptional
- Introduction to Coding for Bioscience Research (Python)Optional
- Commercialisation of Research IdeasOptional
- Evolutionary GeneticsOptional
- ImmunologyOptional
- Clocks, Sleep and Biological TimeOptional
- Regulatory Genomics and EvolutionOptional
- InfectionOptional
- The Biology of DevelopmentOptional
- Practical Experimental EvolutionOptional
- Data Science Methods in BiologyOptional
- Chemistry of Biologically Important MoleculesOptional
- Drugs and the MindOptional
- Plant BiologyOptional
- Computational BiologyOptional
- Eukaryotic Metabolism and RegulationOptional
Year 3 10 modules
- Advanced Investigative Project in Molecular BiosciencesCompulsory
- Specialist Research Project in MetagenomicsCompulsory
- Specialist Research Project in Protein Structure and FunctionCompulsory
- Advanced Molecular Biology of Protein Regulatory NetworksCompulsory
- Molecular Mechanisms of Gene Expression and RegulationCompulsory
- Biology of AgeingOptional
- Mathematical Modelling in BiomedicineOptional
- Immunodeficiency and TherapeuticsOptional
- Dynamic Biological SystemsOptional
- Mitochondrial Biology, Bioenergetics and Metabolism in Human DiseaseOptional
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 degree is structured to take you from foundational science through to independent research practice. You'll build core theory in biochemistry, the molecular machinery of cells, metabolism, genetics and the chemistry underpinning biological systems, before moving into research & methods, where you learn the techniques and analytical approaches biochemists actually use in the lab. Applied practice translates that theory into hands-on scientific work, while specialist options let you shape the later stages of the course around your own interests within the discipline, such as areas of molecular or cellular biochemistry that particularly draw you in. A significant part of the final stages is the independent project, where you design and carry out a substantial piece of research of your own, a chance to work as a scientist rather than simply study one. Running throughout is a strand of professional skills, covering the communication, teamwork and workplace competencies that sit alongside technical knowledge and matter once you're working in a lab, in industry or in further study. Taken together, these strands mean the degree builds steadily in depth and independence across the three years, culminating in work that's genuinely your own.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about how living things work at the molecular level, the kind of person who wants to know not just what happens in a cell but why, and who's happy to sit with a problem until the mechanism makes sense. You should be comfortable with chemistry and biology as intertwined subjects, and be prepared for a degree that rewards precision, patience and careful lab work as much as it rewards big ideas. Most students who take this route to UCL arrive having studied A-levels or equivalent qualifications, with typical UCAS tariffs above 240 points among those accepted, though this reflects the profile of past entrants rather than a fixed requirement. Day to day, expect a mix of lecture-based learning, laboratory sessions and eventually independent research, so you'll want to be someone who can work both within a structured timetable and, later, on your own initiative when designing and running your final project. If you're drawn to the idea of eventually working in research, healthcare science, biotechnology or a related field, and you like the idea of a degree that gradually hands you more responsibility for your own scientific work, this is the kind of course that will feel like a natural fit.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Biological Sciences courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 60% of those working graduates are in highly skilled roles or further study, figures that reflect the broader graduate labour market for this field rather than outcomes specific to UCL. Around 90% of students on Biological Sciences courses nationally continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed, which gives a sense of how sustainable students generally find degrees in this area. On pay, national Graduate Outcomes and LEO data for Biological Sciences show starting salaries (15 months after graduating) ranging from £23,000 to £29,000. Three years on, the range sits at £20,400 to £28,800, and by five years it moves to £25,075 to £35,400. These are national figures across the field, not a promise of what any individual graduate, from UCL or elsewhere, will earn, and they'll vary depending on the sector and role you move into, whether that's laboratory research, biotechnology, healthcare science, further postgraduate study or another path that draws on biochemistry.
University & format
UCL is a higher education college and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, founded in 1826 and based in London, with a total student body of 23,250. The Biochemistry BSc (Hons) is delivered full-time over three years, taught in English, and leads to a nationally recognised UK degree. It's worth checking UCL's own funding pages for details of any bursaries or scholarships that might apply to your circumstances, as these vary and are managed separately from the standard loan system. The university's Russell Group status and Silver TEF 2023 rating for teaching quality are both worth weighing up as you compare where and how you want to study biochemistry.
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.
Year in industry. 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 | 85% |
| a Baccalaureate | 10% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
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 C700). 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
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at UCL →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 | £30,500 | £29,000 – £32,500 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £31,000 | £26,500 – £44,000 | 40 |
| 5 years after | £43,000 | £30,500 – £62,500 | 40 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
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. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. 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.
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
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: 40; response rate: 60%. 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
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,500. 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 8.9 out of 10: NSS 79.4% · in work or study 90% · continued 98%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University College London
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 London
12,829 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 UCL from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by UCL; 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 UCL’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 UCL and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at UCL
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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