Biochemistry at Lancaster University

Biochemistry degrees

Watch: Biochemistry at Lancaster

By understanding life at the molecular level you can play a role in addressing global challenges, like developing treatments for disease, improving forensics investigations, or improving crop yields.

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Biochemistry courses

Learn more about our biochemistry degrees from students Rebecca and Eloise, and hear about their experience of studying at Lancaster.

Melissa Knott, BSc Biochemistry

A place for Melissa

I felt like the whole vibe and atmosphere of Lancaster was the best: when I came on the Open Day straight away it was the labs that blew me away, they were so modern.

By choosing biochemistry, it’s allowed me to further learn about the impacts of people’s environments or genetics and how they may get diseases. In the first year, my degree was split between biology and chemistry so you could gauge what you wanted to choose in the second year, and even though I’m not doing straight chemistry, there is still some in the biochemistry modules.

In the practicals, I think the interaction with the lab demonstrators and lecturers is more personal than in a big lecture theatre. You can ask specific questions and see how the theory we’ve been learning applies in the lab, and you have the demonstrators there to help if you get stuck.

Melissa Knott, BSc Biochemistry

How will I learn?

  • Lectures and tutorials

    Lectures introduce the key issues and findings in each topic and are delivered by subject experts, whilst small group tutorials where you will acquire the key skills needed for your degree.

  • Academic support

    You will be assigned an Academic Tutor, who you will meet regularly throughout your degree to discuss your progress, develop your interests and discuss future career options.

  • Labs and workshops

    Put your learning into practice, and become skilled in using equipment and techniques, to give you a solid understanding of the theory covered in lectures.

  • Assessment

    Assessment is an ongoing process and varies across modules. It could include laboratory reports, essays, independent project reports, group presentations, multiple-choice tests and exams.

  • Research with impact

    The academics you’ll learn from are experts in their respective fields. Their research is shaping our understanding of the world and this feeds into our degrees, ensuring your education is informed by cutting-edge thinking.

Your future career

A biochemistry degree spanning the disciplines of biology and chemistry is excellent preparation for further study or a career in academic or commercial research. It will also give you the transferable skills and analytical training to enter diverse non-science fields including management, teaching, marketing and finance.

Examples of the types of careers pursued by our graduates include:

Analytical Chemist Molecular Laboratory Scientist Operations Analyst
Product Delivery Scientist Research and Development Scientist Healthcare Scientist
Biotechnologist Forensic Scientist Medical Chemist
Research Scientist NHS Scientist Nanotechnologist
NHS Manager Finance Manager Accountant

Some roles may require further training.

NHS Scientist Training Programme

Our biochemistry degree is an ideal basis for applying for a highly-sought-after place on the NHS Scientist Training Programme. For more details on specialisms and entry requirements, please visit the NHS website.

Postgraduate study

Many of our students go on to postgraduate study in a field they are passionate about, studying master’s degrees or PhDs in subjects like medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, cancer research, neuroscience, microbiology or immunology.

Careers support

Whatever your career aspirations, we’ll strive to support you and enhance your employability. You’ll receive lifelong support from our careers team, which will help you to make connections with graduate employers and recent alumni.