BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Bachelor's degree at the University of Sheffield
BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry at University of Sheffield. Alongside the standard grounding in chemical theory, you'll spend real time on biological and medicinal chemistry topics, the kind of content that speaks directly to drug discovery, healthcare science and pharmaceutical development.
About this course
Prepare for the growing demands of the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical industry with our accredited BSc Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry course. Gain fundamental chemistry knowledge and explore topics in biological and medicinal chemistry. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Sheffield, based in Main Campus. 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, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,500. (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: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. 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 2021-23. Continuation 95% (2021-23; 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.
First year 4 modules
- Fundamentals of Chemistry 1Core40 credits
Module details
This is the first module that you'll take as an undergraduate student. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamental concepts in chemistry and introduce you to the key practical skills that every chemist needs. You'll learn how to apply key concepts and interpret chemical information to solve basic problems through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work. You'll cover topics including an introduction to organic chemistry, how to identify and analyse different chemical
- Fundamentals of Chemistry 2Core40 credits
Module details
This module continues to develop your understanding of the foundations of modern degree-level chemistry and associated laboratory skills. You'll learn about core principles from inorganic, biological, organic and physical chemistry through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work. You'll learn how to apply these core principles to address chemical problems, and understand the behaviour of atomic and molecular systems. You'll continue to advance your knowledge of essential laboratory sk
- Essential Skills for ChemistsCore20 credits
Module details
This module provides first year chemistry students with the broader academic and professional skills required to study chemistry at degree level. The module includes fundamental physics and mathematics, data analysis, computing skills, and searching and using the scientific literature. Students will also undertake a group project on the standards and values expected of a professional chemist. The module has been designed to introduce students to varied methods of learning and teaching used throu
- The chemical world around us: from biological chemistry to sustainabilityCore20 credits
Module details
Chemistry plays a crucial role in the world around us, acting as the backbone of fundamental biological processes and helping to create a sustainable future. This module explores how chemistry explains the principles behind the biology we experience in our day-to-day lives, and the contributions chemists can make to society, with a particular focus on sustainability. You'll learn about the strong link between human activity, the biological world around us and sustainability. You'll also develop
Second year 5 modules
- Chemistry Lab and SkillsCore40 credits
Module details
This module integrates advanced practical work with digital fluency and professional development. You'll refine your technical competence through a diverse range of experimental techniques across inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry. Beyond acquiring data, you'll focus on the critical evaluation of results, learning to draw evidence-based conclusions from your findings. Complementing your laboratory skills, you'll develop an understanding of the growing role of digital chemistry
- Chemical Structure and ReactivityCore20 credits
Module details
This module expands upon fundamental concepts established earlier in this course to investigate the relationship between chemical structure and reactivity. You'll explore the diverse chemistry of main group elements and transition metals, applying concepts of symmetry and bonding to rationalise their behaviour in both molecular and solid-state systems. In parallel, you'll develop strategies to manipulate organic molecules, examining the mechanisms and selectivity that govern the reactions of key
- Measurement and Modelling of Chemical SystemsCore20 credits
Module details
This module builds upon the physical and analytical chemistry foundations established earlier in the course to focus on the quantification and modelling of chemical systems. You'll delve into the principles of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics, applying theoretical models to understand the behaviour of chemical systems. You'll also develop the skills to interpret analytical data, using the principles of separation science and applied spectroscopy to elucidate the structures of both organic an
- Further Core ChemistryCore20 credits
Module details
This module expands upon the core concepts established earlier in the course to provide a deeper insight into how chemists think, moving from observation to design and fundamental explanation. You'll explore the logic of retrosynthetic analysis, learning to deconstruct complex organic targets to devise efficient synthetic strategies. This strategic approach extends to materials science, where you'll be introduced to polymer chemistry and the principles governing macromolecular properties. In par
- Biological ChemistryCore20 credits
Module details
This module explores the fundamental chemical principles that drive complex cellular processes. You'll examine the relationship between the structure, folding and function of essential biological molecules. This will include the mechanisms and kinetics of enzyme catalysis, and the molecular mechanisms involved in DNA replication, transcription and translation. You'll apply computational tools and interpret real-world data from modern spectroscopic and structural biology techniques to visualise a
Third year 5 modules
- Mathematical and Physical Sciences Projects and Professional SkillsCore40 credits
Module details
Through this module you'll hone the skills and knowledge required of a graduate-level professional. You'll undertake extended project work, which will include relating project work to the literature, setting project aims and objectives, planning and carrying out the work, and reporting it using disciplinary conventions. You'll investigate how your academic studies relate to either research, society, or industry. You'll develop an understanding of where your degree could lead you and reflect on y
- Advanced Organic ChemistryCore20 credits
Module details
Building upon core principles established earlier in your degree, this module explores the frontiers of organic chemistry. You will examine the electronic and stereochemical frameworks used to predict reaction outcomes, alongside the physical-organic principles used to investigate reaction mechanisms. By engaging with modern synthetic methodologies, including catalytic transformations and the construction of complex molecular scaffolds, you will learn to devise viable routes for the synthesis of
- Advanced Physical ChemistryCore20 credits
Module details
Building upon core principles established earlier in your degree, this module explores the frontiers of physical chemistry. You will examine the mathematical models that underpin our understanding of matter alongside the advanced techniques used to characterise it. By critically analysing the interplay between measurement and modelling in complex systems, you will gain a deeper appreciation of the laws governing chemical behaviour, equipping you with the quantitative tools necessary to tackle ad
- Advanced Inorganic ChemistryCore20 credits
Module details
Building upon core principles established earlier in your degree, this module explores the frontiers of inorganic chemistry, including the synthesis, properties and characterisation of inorganic compounds and materials. You will examine how fundamental aspects of structure and bonding govern the reactivity of coordination complexes and organometallic compounds as well as their magnetic, optical and catalytic properties. By investigating modern structure determination techniques, you will develop
- Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCore20 credits
Module details
This module explores the multidisciplinary frontier where chemistry meets biology. Medicinal chemistry has fundamentally reshaped global healthcare and extended life expectancy. Modern medicine extends beyond small molecule drugs, embracing chemical biology to develop DNA, RNA and protein-based therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics. You'll investigate the molecular mechanisms of disease and evaluate the chemical tools used to probe complex biological systems. Moving from theory to therapeutic a
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 build your chemistry knowledge steadily while layering in the biological and medicinal specialisms that make this course distinctive. You'll cover core theory in the main branches of chemistry, alongside research & methods work that gets you comfortable in the laboratory and with the way chemists actually generate and interpret evidence. Applied practice runs through the course too, translating theory into hands-on skills. As you progress, you'll choose from specialist options such as those in biological and medicinal chemistry, letting you shape the degree towards the areas of pharmaceutical and healthcare science that interest you most. An independent project gives you the chance to work on a substantial piece of research of your own design, while professional skills teaching supports your development beyond the purely technical, communication, project management, and the habits that employers and further study both value.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about how chemistry underpins medicine and biology, not just interested in reactions and equations for their own sake, but keen to understand how chemical knowledge translates into drugs, treatments and healthcare solutions. You should be comfortable with sustained, detailed scientific study and happy working through problems methodically, whether that's in a lecture theatre or at the bench. If you like the idea of a laboratory environment, enjoy precise, evidence-based thinking, and want your degree to open doors into pharmaceutical or healthcare-related work, this is a natural fit. Most students who join this course arrive having studied A-levels or equivalent, and most enter with a UCAS tariff of around 128–143 points, so you'll be joining a cohort with a broadly similar academic background. Expect a demanding but structured three years, steady building of core knowledge in the earlier stages, with more room to specialise and pursue your own research interests as you progress towards the independent project.
Careers & job market
Graduates of Biological Sciences courses nationally have a reasonably strong record of moving into work or further study: 85% are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 60% of working graduates are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. These are national Graduate Outcomes figures across the field, not specific to this university or guaranteed outcomes for any individual. On earnings, national data shows starting salaries (15 months after graduating) typically ranging from £23,000 to £29,000, dropping to a range of £20,400–£28,800 after three years, before rising to £25,075–£35,400 after five years, again, these are national figures reflecting a spread of outcomes rather than a promise of what any one graduate will earn. The course's accreditation by the Royal Society of Chemistry towards Chartered Chemist status may be relevant if you're aiming for recognised professional standing in the chemistry sector, particularly within pharmaceutical, healthcare or related industries. Nationally, 90% of students on this type of course continue past their first year, which gives some sense of how manageable the transition into higher-level study tends to be.
University & format
The University of Sheffield is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1905. This BSc (Hons) is a full-time, three-year course delivered in English on the university's Main Campus. Teaching quality on the course has been rated Silver in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the university's qualifications carry national recognition, and the course itself holds Royal Society of Chemistry accreditation for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.
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.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Optional 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 | 100% |
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.
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 F112). 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 University of Sheffield →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 | £24,500 | £23,000 – £30,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £27,000 | £21,000 – £34,000 | 90 |
| 5 years after | £36,500 | £28,500 – £48,000 | 105 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. 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. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. 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.
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 30% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Process, plant and machine operativesDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
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: 35; response rate: 65%. 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.
Is 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 £24,500. 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 9.1 out of 10: NSS 87% · in work or study 90% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Sheffield
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 Main Campus
2,964 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 Sheffield from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Sheffield; 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 Sheffield’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 Sheffield and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Sheffield
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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