Biochemistry and Immunology
Biochemistry and immunology together address some of the most pressing questions in modern biology and medicine. Biochemistry explores how cells work at the molecular level, examining the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates, and tracing the metabolic pathways that sustain life. Immunology asks how the body recognises and responds to pathogens, how immune dysfunction leads to autoimmune disease and allergy, and how vaccines and immunotherapies work.
The two disciplines converge constantly, because immune responses are fundamentally molecular events, and understanding them requires the chemical and cellular knowledge that biochemistry provides.
At the University of Strathclyde you will study this four-year full-time programme, which includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to engage with biochemistry and immunology research or teaching at a partner institution internationally. Strathclyde has a strong research base in the life sciences, and its location in Glasgow, a city with a substantial biomedical and pharmaceutical sector, means that the professional context for your studies is immediate and relevant. The typical entry tariff for this programme is around 200 UCAS points, reflecting the high academic standard expected.
You will develop deep knowledge of cellular and molecular biology, protein biochemistry, immunological mechanisms, laboratory techniques and the translation of biochemical and immunological knowledge into clinical and industrial applications.
Graduates are well placed for careers in pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, clinical immunology, vaccine development, diagnostics and public health. The NHS and private clinical laboratories employ immunologists and biomedical scientists across a range of specialisms. Research roles in academic and industrial settings are well supported by the strong scientific training Strathclyde provides.
Postgraduate study in biochemistry, immunology, molecular medicine, pharmacology or related disciplines is a natural next step, particularly for those interested in research careers or specialist clinical roles.