MSci Biology and Chemistry
About this course
MSci (Hons) in Biology and Chemistry, a Natural Sciences degree that spans molecular and cellular biology alongside organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Core topics include mathematical modelling, laboratory techniques and research methods. A common first year allows transfer onto the BSc Biology and Chemistry, MChem, BSc Chemistry or MSci/BSc Natural Sciences degrees at the end of that year. The first year covers the foundations through Molecules and Cells, Genetics, Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & Energetics and Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics, with a mathematics choice between Mathematical Methods for Chemists and Single Mathematics A. Year 2 advances to Molecular Biology, Metabolism and Cell Signalling alongside Principles of Organic Chemistry: Aromaticity & Synthetic strategy, Practical Synthetic Chemistry Level 2 and Chemical Principles of Biological Systems. Year 3 is compulsory at this level, taking in Cellular Biochemistry, Stress and Responses to the Environment, Contemporary Organic Chemistry: Pericyclic and stereoselectivity, Practical Synthetic Chemistry - Level 3 and Advanced Organic Chemistry. Optional modules in this stage have spanned Biosciences Literature Review, Contemporary Issues in the Biosciences, Biology Of Disease, Genomics and Science Enterprise. The final year centres on the Research Project at the biology-chemistry interface, supported by Workshop on advanced biological laboratory techniques and Frontiers In Molecular Assembly, which covers specialised chemistry including drug classification by site and mode of action.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA including A*A in Mathematics and Chemistry in any order. IB: 37 points overall including 76 in Maths Analysis & Approaches and Chemistry in any order and 6 in one other Higher Level subject.
See the highest paying Physics & Chemistry degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 88 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 210 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 4%
What graduates do next
Based on about 81 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 20%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 11%
- Information Technology Professionals: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 78%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 71%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 48%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 345 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 9%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 31%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 295 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Molecules and Cells
- Genetics
- Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & Energetics
- Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics
- Choose one of the following two modules:
- EITHER Mathematical Methods for Chemists
- OR Single Mathematics A
- Molecular Biology
- Metabolism
- Cell Signalling
- Principles of Organic Chemistry: Aromaticity & Synthetic strategy
- Practical Synthetic Chemistry Level 2
- Chemical Principles of Biological Systems
- Cellular Biochemistry
- Stress and Responses to the Environment
- Contemporary Organic Chemistry: Pericyclic and stereoselectivity
- Practical Synthetic Chemistry - Level 3
- Advanced Organic Chemistry
- Example optional modules
- Research Project (80 credits in total)
- Workshop
- Frontiers In Molecular Assembly
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Biology and Chemistry at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £34,000 after 15 months, £35,000 after 3 years, £44,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £61,500.
What do graduates of MSci Biology and Chemistry at Durham University do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Biology and Chemistry at Durham University?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Biology and Chemistry at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 37 points in the IB. The average entrant had 196 UCAS points.
Is MSci Biology and Chemistry at Durham University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Does MSci Biology and Chemistry at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on MSci Biology and Chemistry at Durham University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 4% left higher education.