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BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Integrated Foundation Year

Develop hands on laboratory skills essential for biochemical research. Investigate the molecular mechanisms of disease and how biological systems respond to drug interactions. Build the knowledge needed to thrive in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and wider life sciences sectors.

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A student in the lab, wearing a white lab coat and goggles while holding up a beaker of liquid
Course codeC702
Duration4 years
Fee (UK)£9,790
LocationOn campus

Course summary

Biochemistry sits at the interface between the life sciences and chemistry, providing a broad education that allows you to explore the molecular mechanisms underpinning life. Our BSc (Hons) Biochemistry course is built upon a strong foundation of core scientific disciplines, including molecular and cellular biology, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, as well as analytical sciences.

As you progress through the course, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how diseases develop at the molecular level and how drugs interact with biological systems, insights that are particularly valuable in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. You'll explore applied areas such as bioinformatics, in silico protein-protein interaction studies, and bioprocessing, all of which are increasingly essential in modern biochemical research and development. A key focus of the course is the development of laboratory skills, with practical sessions embedded across nearly all modules. You’ll be trained to conduct experiments, analyse biochemical data, and interpret scientific results with precision.

Throughout your studies, you'll work on real world case studies with clear industrial relevance, and you'll engage in simulated professional scenarios through our mock pharmaceutical company, Sunderland Therapeutics. Assessments mirror real world tasks and aim to prepare you for a wide range of careers, whether in laboratory based research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or other sectors such as finance, business, and education. The course is also available as a four-year course with a full year spent on placement.

Graduates of this course leave with not only a deep scientific understanding but also highly transferable skills in problem-solving, data analysis, and communication, making them well equipped for diverse roles across the life sciences.

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

Why Sunderland for Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Sciences

Integrated Foundation Year

This course is available with an Integrated Foundation Year, an extra year of your degree. This route offers a supportive way of transitioning into university study. It may be suitable for you if you:

  • Have valuable work or life experience but no formal qualifications
  • Are returning to education after a break
  • Want to change direction or explore a new career path
  • Have just missed the entry requirements for the three-year course.

We’re enhancing our Integrated Foundation Year to give you an even stronger start to your degree. The updated modules will align more with your chosen subject area. This will help you build the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need for your studies. We'll share full details soon and can't wait to tell you more.

Please note, this route isn’t available to international students.

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

You’ll engage in a wide range of learning and teaching methods including laboratory practicals, lectures, workshops, tutorials, group work, and e-learning. Interactive approaches such as problem-based and team-based learning are used to develop both subject knowledge and key transferable skills. Peer assessment and feedback mechanisms are embedded throughout, encouraging critical reflection and the development of communication and collaboration skills valued by employers. Research projects and simulated laboratory activities further enhance scientific understanding and practical competence.

Assessment methods are varied to reflect real-world scientific tasks and include essays, laboratory reports using pharmaceutical proformas, presentations, posters, podcasts, and scientific article writing. You’ll also be assessed through practical competency evaluations, clinical case studies, CPD portfolios, and peer review. For those undertaking the placement route, employer assessments are also an integral part of the evaluation process.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

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See all course tuition fees.

Full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled students may be eligible for financial support. This would cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.

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UK students

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.