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BSc Biochemistry with Foundation

  • UCAS code
    C701
  • Typical offer
    See entry requirements
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Learn about the molecular foundations of life itself with BSc Biochemistry with Foundation.

Are you keen to take our BSc Biochemistry course but haven’t taken the necessary A level subjects? Our BSc Biochemistry with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

Molecules are at the centre of all life from the smallest virus to the largest animal. Biochemists seek to understand how molecular processes control life at various levels; how do molecules make cells work, how do these cells coordinate in an organ and finally, how do these organs signal and work together for life to function? Biochemistry is at the forefront of understanding how molecules control and affect life, and an appreciation of these concepts allows biochemists to answer life’s fundamental questions and contribute to resolving critical biological problems such as designing drugs to treat cancer or even bacteria that can clean up an oil spill.

Through your lectures at Reading you will explore and discuss these biochemical concepts accumulating in an in-depth understanding of the subject. You will have the opportunity to study your subject in a layered approach where you will focus on the molecular and cellular concepts of biochemistry in Year 1, followed by discussions of the organ and organism effects of these biochemical processes in Year 2. Finally, in Year 3 you will study topics at the forefront of biochemistry from cutting-edge research to human disease and structural biology. During Year 3, you will also take part in an 11-week research project where you will draw on all your skills and knowledge to tackle a biochemical research question.

Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement between your third and final year. Students in previous years have worked on industrial and summer placements at Diamond Light Source (the UK’s national synchrotron), Public Health England, GSK, AstraZeneca and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by external organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Biochemical Society.

Additionally, the University of Reading offers the UROP scheme (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme) that also offers paid studentships at the University. These studentships take place over a period of 6-10 weeks during the summer break. During studentships you will normally work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

Our department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website. 

Overview

Learn about the molecular foundations of life itself with BSc Biochemistry with Foundation.

Are you keen to take our BSc Biochemistry course but haven’t taken the necessary A level subjects? Our BSc Biochemistry with Foundation is a four-year programme that includes a year of foundational study and leads directly into the three-year course.

Molecules are at the centre of all life from the smallest virus to the largest animal. Biochemists seek to understand how molecular processes control life at various levels; how do molecules make cells work, how do these cells coordinate in an organ and finally, how do these organs signal and work together for life to function? Biochemistry is at the forefront of understanding how molecules control and affect life, and an appreciation of these concepts allows biochemists to answer life’s fundamental questions and contribute to resolving critical biological problems such as designing drugs to treat cancer or even bacteria that can clean up an oil spill.

Through your lectures at Reading you will explore and discuss these biochemical concepts accumulating in an in-depth understanding of the subject. You will have the opportunity to study your subject in a layered approach where you will focus on the molecular and cellular concepts of biochemistry in Year 1, followed by discussions of the organ and organism effects of these biochemical processes in Year 2. Finally, in Year 3 you will study topics at the forefront of biochemistry from cutting-edge research to human disease and structural biology. During Year 3, you will also take part in an 11-week research project where you will draw on all your skills and knowledge to tackle a biochemical research question.

Our £60m Health and Life Sciences building is the home of the School of Biological Sciences. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching laboratories, seminar rooms, and plenty of study and social space, including a café. The building also houses the Cole Museum of Zoology. The collection, featuring over 3,500 natural history specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.

Placement

You will have the opportunity to carry out a year-long industrial placement between your third and final year. Students in previous years have worked on industrial and summer placements at Diamond Light Source (the UK’s national synchrotron), Public Health England, GSK, AstraZeneca and Covance. You can also choose to spend a year abroad.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake paid vacation studentships funded by external organisations such as the Wellcome Trust and the Biochemical Society.

Additionally, the University of Reading offers the UROP scheme (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme) that also offers paid studentships at the University. These studentships take place over a period of 6-10 weeks during the summer break. During studentships you will normally work on a set project and benefit from valuable training in techniques, experimental design and the interpretation of data.

Our department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support.

For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website. 

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

  • BBB – for applicants without Biology/Chemistry and one other science
  • CCC – for applicants with Biology/Chemistry and one other science

Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geology, Computer Science.

International Baccalaureate

  • 30 – for applicants without Biology/Chemistry and one other science
  • 24 – for applicants with Biology/Chemistry and one other science

If you would like to receive personalised advice on your eligibility for our Foundation courses, please ask us a question.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Modules are dependent on which subject you choose, but may include:

  • Key Skills for Science Research
  • Foundation: biology
  • Foundation: chemistry
  • Foundation: environment, ecology and sustainability
  • Foundation: mathematics
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Metabolic and Practical Biochemistry
  • Building Blocks of Life
  • Laboratory and Study Skills for Biomedicine
  • Introductory Microbiology
  • Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
  • Key Skills in Biomedicine

    Either
  • Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biologists or
  • Physical Processes for Biologists

Optional modules include:

  • Bacteriology and Virology
  • Pathology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Institution-wide Language Programme
  • Fundamentals of Physics for Medicine
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Pharmocology and Toxicology
  • Key Skills in Biomedicine 2
  • Cells and Immunity
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Protein Structure & Function and Proteomics
  • Physiological Biochemistry
  • Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Optional modules include:

  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Biomedicine
  • Venoms and Poisons
  • The Bacterial Cell
  • Summer Placement in Biochemistry
  • Medicinal Chemistry for Chemists
  • Further Organic Chemistry
  • Practice of Entrepreneurship
  • Application of Physics in Medicine
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*

New international students: £24,500

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

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 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.

Careers

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.

Overall, 93% of graduates from Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on HESA data, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes all Biological Sciences responders).

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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How to apply for 2023 entry

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Related Subjects


  • Biological Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • Biomedical Sciences

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