BSc (Hons) Biochemistry Bachelor's degree at the University of York
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry at University of York. At York, this Biochemistry degree is framed around a simple but profound idea: understanding how chemical compounds come together to form living organisms, and grasping the fundamental, physical nature of life itself.
About this course
Understand how chemical compounds form living organisms, and grasp the fundamental, physical nature of life itself. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of York. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 80% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £28,000. (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)
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (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.
1 7 modules
- Becoming a Bioscientist: Core SkillsCore
- Molecular Biology and BiochemistryCore
- Fundamentals of Chemistry for BiochemistsCore
- Becoming a Bioscientist: Biochemical SkillsCore
- GeneticsCore
- Cells to OrganismsCore
- Academic integrity moduleCore
Module details
Covers essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard. Defines academic integrity and academic misconduct, explains why and when you should reference source material and other people's work, provides interactive exercises and answers to FAQs and links to useful resources.
2 13 modules
- Becoming a Bioscientist: Experimental Design and CommunicationCore
- Biochemical Reactions and InteractionsCore
- Becoming a Bioscientist: Research in ActionCore
- Chemical and Structural BiologyCore
- Gene Expression in ActionOptional
- Cell BiologyOptional
- Molecular MicrobiologyOptional
- The Immune SystemOptional
- NeuroscienceOptional
- PharmacologyOptional
- Molecular BiotechnologyOptional
- Introduction to BioenterpriseOptional
- Medical GeneticsOptional
3 12 modules
- Research ProjectCore
- Molecular Machinery in ActionOptional
- Advanced Topics in BiotechnologyOptional
- Chemistry and DiseaseOptional
- Molecular RecognitionOptional
- Advanced Topics in Gene ExpressionOptional
- Cancer, Cell and Molecular BiologyOptional
- Pathogens Ageing and Regenerative MedicineOptional
- GenomicsOptional
- Advanced Topics in NeuroscienceOptional
- Haematology and Immunology in Health and DiseaseOptional
- Trends in MicrobiologyOptional
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 structure moves you from grounding to independence. Early study covers core theory, the chemical and biological principles that everything else in biochemistry rests on, including molecular structure, enzymology and cellular processes. Alongside this, you're introduced to research & methods, building the practical laboratory and analytical skills that biochemists rely on day to day. As you progress, applied practice brings theory into contact with real biological problems, while specialist options allow you to steer your study towards areas that interest you most, such as topics within molecular medicine, structural biology, or microbial and plant biochemistry, depending on what's offered in a given year. Professional skills modules run through the degree too, covering the kind of scientific communication, data handling and teamwork expected in research and industry settings. The degree culminates in an independent project, where you take a research question and work through it largely on your own terms, guided by academic staff. This is typically where students find out whether laboratory research, or perhaps a different corner of the discipline entirely, is the direction they want to head in after graduation.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who's genuinely curious about what's happening at the molecular level of life, not just interested in biology in general, but drawn to the question of how chemistry actually builds and sustains living things. If you enjoyed the overlap between biology and chemistry at school or college, and found yourself wanting to go deeper into the "how" rather than just the "what," this is the territory you'll be working in. You should be comfortable with sustained, detail-oriented work: biochemistry rewards patience, precision and a willingness to sit with a problem until it makes sense, whether that's in a lab session, a set of calculations, or interpreting an experimental result that doesn't quite match expectations. Most students accepted onto courses like this have typically come through A-levels or equivalent qualifications, often with a UCAS tariff in the 144–159 point range, though this reflects the profile of recent entrants rather than a fixed requirement. It also suits people who like independence balanced with structure. The degree gradually hands you more responsibility for shaping your own study, culminating in an independent project, so if you're someone who enjoys having ownership over a piece of work, that progression should appeal. A genuine interest in research methodology, rather than just outcomes, will serve you well throughout.
Careers & job market
Biochemistry graduates move into a range of destinations, from laboratory-based research roles to positions in the wider biosciences, healthcare and industry sectors, as well as further postgraduate study. Recognition of the degree by the Royal Society of Biology for associate membership purposes can be a useful stepping stone if you're considering a career path with professional body involvement. Looking at national data for Biological Sciences courses, 85% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 60% of working graduates in highly skilled roles or further study. These figures relate to the field nationally rather than to this course specifically, so they should be read as context rather than a guarantee. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) shows starting salaries between £23,000 and £29,000 at 15 months, £20,400–£28,800 after three years, and £25,075–£35,400 after five years, again, national figures across the field rather than specific to York graduates. Continuation into a second year of study is another useful indicator: nationally, 90% of students in this field continue past their first year, still enrolled or having completed, which speaks to how manageable the transition into this kind of degree tends to be once students are settled.
University & format
The University of York is a public, research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1963 and home to around 17,155 students. It holds a Gold award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and was. This BSc (Hons) Biochemistry (UCAS code C700) is studied full-time over three years, delivered in English at the University of York campus.
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.
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 | 95% |
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
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of York →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 | £28,000 | £24,500 – £30,000 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £29,000 | £25,000 – £31,000 | 40 |
| 5 years after | £37,500 | £31,000 – £46,500 | 50 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; 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: 15; 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 · 45% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Conservation and environment professionalsSOC 2020 215 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,520
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: 25; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Biochemistry worth it?
Generally yes. On its graduates’ median earnings, BSc (Hons) Biochemistry is worth about +£105,630 more over the first ten years of work than going straight to a job, a solid return once you net out the fees.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 12.3. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
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
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. 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
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £28,000. 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 9.2 out of 10: NSS 84.9% · in work or study 95% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of York
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 The University of York
739 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 York from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £32,350 / 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 University of York’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 York and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of York
Common questions
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