BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year)
About this course
BSc Hons in Biochemistry (Placement Year), a biochemistry degree exploring the cellular, molecular and chemical interactions within living systems. Core topics include Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Psychological Assessment, Clinical Skills, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Human Behaviour, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. This four-year degree includes a professional placement year spent in a graduate-level role, as well as an independent research project in the final year. The first year covers foundational concepts through compulsory modules such as Fundamentals of Chemistry A, Genetics and Biotechnology, Introduction to Biosciences, Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity, and Molecules to Cells, alongside optional choices like Foundations of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science and Fundamentals of Chemistry B. The second year advances into molecular principles with core studies in Biochemistry of Cellular Metabolism, Life Cycle of Proteins, and Microbiology and Immunology, supported by optional modules including Cell and Developmental Biology, Drug Design and Development, Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Molecular Genetics, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Principles of Chemical Structure Determination. The third year consists of a professional placement module. The final year concludes with core learning in Bioinformatics, Biosciences Research Project, and Global Health Challenges, alongside optional modules such as Advanced Drug Design and Development, Advanced Neuroscience - Circuits and Systems, Biology of Ageing, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Cell Signalling in Health and Disease, Ethics in Biomedicine, Medical Genetics and Clinical Immunology, Medicinal and Biological Applications of Organic Chemistry, and Strategies in Chemical Synthesis.
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: AAB. This should include Biology and Chemistry. IB: 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in HL Chemistry
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 90%: 28 offers from 31 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 92%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 14 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Further study: 35%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 35%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 47%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 13%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Fundamentals of Chemistry A
- Genetics and Biotechnology
- Introduction to Biosciences
- Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity
- Molecules to Cells
- Foundations of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science
- Fundamentals of Chemistry B
- Biochemistry of Cellular Metabolism
- Life Cycle of Proteins
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Cell and Developmental Biology
- Drug Design and Development
- Fundamentals of Neuroscience
- Molecular Genetics
- Organic Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Principles of Chemical Structure Determination
- Placement
- Bioinformatics
- Biosciences Research Project
- Global Health Challenges
- Advanced Drug Design and Development
- Advanced Neuroscience - Circuits and Systems
- Biology of Ageing
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
- Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
- Ethics in Biomedicine
- Medical Genetics and Clinical Immunology
- Medicinal and Biological Applications of Organic Chemistry
- Strategies in Chemical Synthesis
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £40,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry.
What do graduates of BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) at Lancaster University do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 35 points in the IB. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
90% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 28 offers from 31 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.