2024 entry
MSci Biochemistry (C701)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAA
A-level contextual offer: ABB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£31,300 per year, international students
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Biochemists study the molecular basis of life. This underpins our fundamental understanding of human health and disease and also supports applied science like drug discovery, diagnostics and biotechnology. Our Biochemistry course immerses you in ground-breaking research and gives you the opportunity to develop high-level analytical and problem-solving skills that prepare you for a diverse range of careers.
The centrepiece of the MSci Biochemistry course is an extended research project that allows you to develop in-depth expertise in your area of specialism and acquire the skills required to embark on a research career. The MSci covers all the major aspects of biochemistry with an emphasis on cutting-edge research.
The first two years of the MSci are identical to the BSc. You can tailor the course to suit your interests across all years by combining your study of biochemistry with a choice of optional units.
In the first year these units currently include anatomy, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology and physiology. Your second year combines biochemistry and molecular genetics with a choice of units covering topics such as neurophysiology, infection and immunity, mathematics and languages.
In your third year you will learn about a range of advanced topics in biochemistry and cell biology and participate in a laboratory-based research training unit where you will develop the skills needed to define and solve research problems.
This prepares you for a research-intensive fourth year, where you will spend up to 16 weeks on an individual research project under the supervision of one of our research group leaders.
You will learn about the context in which scientific research is undertaken through the Science and Society unit and complete your studies by choosing two advanced units which could include Synthetic Biology, Cell Biology of Development and Disease, and Protein Assemblies and Molecular Machines.
We focus on the development of your practical and research skills throughout the first two years. We also offer summer studentships and subject-specific employability and enterprise sessions. Recent graduate destinations from our biochemistry courses include higher degrees such as a PhD, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies, research institutes, the NHS, graduate medicine, teaching, forensics, the civil service, medical publishing, finance, business consultancy, patent law, science communications and more.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
AAA including Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
A-level contextual offer
ABB including A in Chemistry and B in another core science/mathematics subject
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
BTEC
DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 6 at Higher Level in another core science/mathematics subject
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and 5 at Higher level in a core science/mathematics subject
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
European Baccalaureate
85% overall, with 8.5 in Chemistry and another core science/mathematics subject
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AA in Chemistry and another science/mathematics subject, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Chemistry units and at least 12 credits (including 9 at Distinction) from units in another science
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Further Mathematics, Human Biology, Mathematics and Physics.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile E qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: