Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the chemistry of living systems, the science that explains how molecules work together to sustain life at every level, from the replication of DNA to the regulation of metabolism and the immune response. It is a discipline with profound implications for medicine, drug discovery, biotechnology, and our understanding of fundamental biology, and it is one of the most rigorous and intellectually demanding of the life sciences.

At the University of Sussex, this four-year full-time programme gives you a genuinely hands-on education: from the first year you will be in the laboratory developing practical skills, recording, analysing, and interpreting data from experiments. You will learn about current theories in the field and how to communicate complex scientific topics clearly and precisely, both in writing and in discussion with colleagues. The programme includes a foundation year element, providing an accessible entry route for students who have the motivation and aptitude for biochemistry but need to build their scientific foundations before entering the main degree content.

An industrial placement year is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to work in a research, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environment before your final year. This experience provides a professional track record, real scientific context for your academic learning, and often leads directly to employment after graduation.

The typical entry tariff is 136 UCAS points. Graduates from biochemistry programmes with placement experience are well positioned for careers in pharmaceutical research, biotechnology, medical research, clinical science, diagnostics, and scientific consultancy. Many also progress to postgraduate study, including research degrees, medicine, dentistry, and professional qualifications in areas such as clinical biochemistry.