Full Time: 3 Years | You have the option to include a placement year
Learn about the molecular basis of life, and gain valuable laboratory and research skills.
Get involved in world-class research and gain hands-on experience through the strong practical element of this course.
You will learn how chemicals combine to create living organisms, and how all lifeforms function. The University of Reading specialises in the biochemistry of disease, and you will discover how it affects the body at a molecular level, as well as the details of how drugs and other treatments work. You will also have the chance to carry out a year-long industrial placement or a paid vacation studentship in order to gain valuable work and research experience.
Through practical work you will learn a wide range of scientific techniques, including DNA manipulation, isolation of biomolecules and live cell microscopy. During your final year you will have the chance to spend 11 weeks working in a lab on a biochemical research project. Past projects have included coronary heart disease, computer analysis of gene clusters, and the structure of transmembrane proteins.
Additionally, you will have the chance to develop your skills through our optional biomedical field courses. These normally last around two weeks and take place in locations such as Florida, Iceland and Colombia.
Placement
You will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement between your second and final year. Students in previous years have worked at Diamond Light Source (the UK’s national synchrotron), Public Health England, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically carrying out research in an academic laboratory.
You will have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Biochemical Society. These can take place over six weeks during the summer break, or be carried out part-time over a longer period. During studentships you will normally work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.
Additionally, you can choose to take a placement module.
Our department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.
Quick look entry requirements A Level ABB-BBB | IB 30-32 pts overall
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £9250* per year
New international students: £19330 per year
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional Costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
What career can you have?
What career can you have?
This course will prepare you for a range of science-related careers, including research, laboratory work, science sales and management, science communication and patenting.
Recent employers include the Medical Research Council, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Boots, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the University itself.