Biochemistry BSc (Hons)

Solve some of the most interesting and important health problems in the world today. Contribute to healthcare at both ends of the spectrum, from diagnosis and disease profiling to drug discovery and development. Enhance your employability and gain real-world experience with an optional placement.

Apply through Clearing

Overview

While biomedical scientists work on diagnosis and disease profiling and biopharmaceutical scientists work on drug discovery and development, biochemistry sits directly in between these disciplines and contributes to healthcare in both areas.

You will examine the origin of life, the study of disease and the complex chemistry and developmental biology of whole organisms. Study areas including biological chemistry, cell biology, clinical chemistry and molecular biology.

Why us?

This unique course makes extensive use of the new advanced technology in The John Dawson Sciences Complex
The University has over 100 years of expertise in teaching biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences
Industry-standard equipment and training in the use of advanced analytical equipment allow detailed insight into the natural world through laboratory sessions
Industry-focused curriculum is enriched by industry expert input through external lectures, visits, and mentoring

Teaching staff are research-active and have close links to industry and research institutes working in molecular sciences
Available as four-year sandwich course, where you will undertake a one-year industrial placement

Course structure

Our teaching methods address different learning styles and provide a diverse learning experience. The course integrates traditional lecture and laboratory-based learning with active, experiential and enquiry-based learning.

You will be taught via laboratory practical work, tutorials, lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning. We also encourage you to develop independent study skills.

This course shares a common first year with BSc (Hons) Biopharmaceutical Science and BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry, which allows you to easily change course at the end of the first year should one of these routes appeal to you.

Modules

Year 1 (national level 4):

Introduction to Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (20 credits)
Introduction to Cell Biology and Biochemistry (20 credits)
Introduction to Analytical Science (20 credits)
Introduction to Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Regulation (20 credits)
Practical and Research Skills in Biopharmaceutical Science (40 credits)

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Organic Chemistry (20 credits)
Genetics and Biotechnology (20 credits)
Further Analytical Chemistry (20 credits)
Further Research and Practical Skills in Biopharmaceutical Science (40 credits)
Cellular and Clinical Biochemistry (20 credits)

For Biochemistry (sandwich)

Industrial placement (120 credits)

Final year (national level 6)

Research Project (40 credits)
Advanced Chemistry (20 credits)
Advanced Biotechnology and Biochemistry (20 credits)
Cancer Targets and Therapeutics (20 credits)
Advanced Biochemistry (20 credits)

Facilities

This course is based in The John Dawson Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which boasts excellent laboratories and cutting-edge equipment thanks to multi-million pound investments.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade: SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and: Sat score of 1100/1600 from SATs AP (Grades 3+ in at least 2 subjects) ACT (score of 26+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

A Levels must include Chemistry at grade C. Please note we do not accept General Studies AS or A Level. We accept T Level Science only.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you in studying with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
£16,500 if you are an international student

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Biochemists are employed in an increasingly wide range of roles in biological, environmental and clinical fields, with employment opportunities stretching from healthcare through forensic science to the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Companies that have employed our graduates include pharmaceutical multinationals such as GSK, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Placements

The employability of Sunderland graduates reflects our mix of academic rigour and practical skills. To enhance this mix, we encourage you to apply to undertake a one-year placement between your second and final year.

Placements provide an invaluable opportunity to put your learning into practice and understand the context for your new knowledge. As part of the course you will also make several industry visits.

Research-active staff

You’ll be taught by passionate academic staff with a broad range of relevant research interests including:

Analysis and modelling of biostatistical and protein interaction data sets
Generation of recombinant proteins and biological therapeutics
Formulation of therapeutic proteins and gene products
Development of computational tools for automating the routine decision process within standard drug discovery pipelines

Transferable skills

This course gives you the opportunity to develop skills which you can use in a range of employment situations including:

Academic study skills such as avoiding plagiarism, time management, reading, note taking, referencing, revision analysis, and scientific writing.
Practical skills such as laboratory competency, experimental skills and techniques.
Transferable skills such as numeracy, analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, self-management and organisation, application of IT, consideration of ethical and safety requirements, critical thinking, personal development planning and reflection.

Meet the students

The people are friendly, but what I like the most is that it is pretty calm here.

Angelin Gayatri

Related courses

BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing.

Page last updated: 04 July 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.