Biochemistry (Placement Year)

BSc Hons

  • UCAS code C707
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

Overview

Biochemistry examines the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular level. It is an exciting and rapidly developing subject and the primary investigative science within biology and medicine.

The BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) includes core modules in biochemistry and chemistry combined with a solid background in related fields. You can choose a pathway within the degree that will allow you to focus on biochemistry, or with specialisation in genetics or biomedicine. This four-year degree is ideal if you wish to gain work experience as part of your biochemistry degree. It provides you with support to secure a paid placement for twelve months working in the type of organisation that you might aspire to join when you graduate. The placement offers you the opportunity to work as a full time employee of the organisation with the same training and opportunities as other employees, whilst still receiving both academic and pastoral support from Lancaster University.

To prepare students for their work placement year, our Careers and Placements Team will provide advice and guidance on: the skills required to create effective CVs, cover letters and applications; tips and techniques on how to make an impact at interviews and assessment centres; how to create a relevant digital profile; and how to research employers and career sectors of interest. In addition, there is great emphasis placed upon developing self-awareness and on how to present yourself in a professional manner to employers. This optional provision will be delivered via a blend of traditional and digital methods including face-to-face workshops, online webinars, e-courses and 1:1 appointments.

Although you will be supported by professional careers staff in preparing your industrial placement application, due to the competitive nature of these placements it is possible that not all students will be successful in securing these nationally-advertised opportunities. Students who have not secured an industrial placement will automatically be transferred over to the degree without the placement year - the BSc Biochemistry.

In the first year, you will study a range of core modules designed to provide you with a broad overview of biology and chemistry and a good foundation in key modern biochemical concepts. You will take three additional modules in your chosen pathway to maintain a focus on biochemistry and chemistry or have specialisation in either genetics or biomedicine.

In your second year, you will focus on a range of biochemistry modules, as well as some more practically oriented modules designed to equip you with the laboratory skills and knowledge required by a successful biochemist.

Following your placement year, you will return to Lancaster University, with your final year building on your chosen pathway and may include options such as Innovation in the Biosciences (biochemistry or genetics pathways) and Neurobiology (biochemistry or biomedicine pathways).

During your degree, you’ll conduct your own laboratory-based project and benefit from the research experience of our internationally renowned academics.

The facilities for studying biochemistry at Lancaster University are excellent. We have invested over £4 million in new life science teaching laboratories which you will use for practical learning and your dissertation project. Around 50% of the contact time on the degree is used for practical and workshop activities in the laboratory or in PC labs.

Careers

Lancaster University is ranked number one in the UK for graduate prospects in Biomedical Sciences (Guardian University Guide 2023), and number 11 in Biological Sciences (The Times Good University Guide 2023). We embed employability in our curriculum to prepare our students for the world of work and postgraduate study.

After studying biochemistry at Lancaster University, you can look forward to a promising career in areas such as academic, industrial and medical research, pharmaceuticals, the food industry and forensic science. 90% of Lancaster’s biochemistry graduates are in work or further study six months after graduating.

During your degree you will gain practical skills such as laboratory competence and experimental design; numerical skills such as statistical analysis and data recording and presentation; and interpersonal skills such as team working, communication and negotiation. The transferable skills and analytical training you will gain during your degree will allow you to enter science or diverse fields such as management, marketing and finance. You will also study an employability skills module to help you manage your professional development and prepare for the job market.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level AAB

Required Subjects A level Chemistry and one other science subject from Biology, Mathematics or Physics

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 5, English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including 6 in HL Chemistry and 6 in one further HL science subjects from Biology, Mathematics or Physics

BTEC Considered alongside A level Chemistry

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £29,820

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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