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

Unlock the secrets of life

Biochemistry unites biology and chemistry to understand the cellular, molecular and chemical interactions within living systems.

This knowledge of living organisms will provide you with a deep understanding of how life works. Indeed, biochemists have been at the forefront of making breakthrough discoveries across medicine, agriculture and biotechnology that have changed our world.

This four-year Biochemistry BSc (Study Abroad) is taught by experts from our Biomedical and Life Sciences and Chemistry departments.

You will delve into biochemistry in the context of health and disease and study topics in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics, which are at the heart of modern medical and health research. You will also study fundamental themes in chemistry.

You will be taught by our academics whose vast biochemistry research experience includes the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of various cancers; the biochemistry of organisms that thrive in extreme environments; and biomedical imaging agents to probe drug activity in cells.

This research-led biochemistry degree is an ideal basis for a host of careers across the biomedical, research, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors, offering you the scientific knowledge, practical lab skills and career-ready mindset to succeed.

By spending your third year abroad, you will have an opportunity to explore new and different perspectives on your course, while gaining experience of what it is like to live and study in a different country. During your year abroad you are only required to pay 15% of the standard tuition fees.

And, because you will build your skills and competence in experimental design, data recording, analysis and presentation, effective project management, teamwork and communication, you will have the highly transferable skills valued by employers both within the sciences and in broader fields such as marketing, finance and management.

Your journey through biochemistry

Our academics have carefully designed this course to provide you with a structured, progressive training in biochemistry.

In Year 1, you will study a range of core topics designed to provide you with a broad overview of biology and chemistry, including molecules of life, cell biology and organic chemistry that will build on your pre-university knowledge.

In Year 2, you may choose to continue to study chemistry options or complement y our biochemistry studies by focussing on bioscience-related topics, such as pharmacology or drug design and development.

You will spend Year 3 with one of our trusted overseas partner universities, immersing yourself in a different culture, meeting new people with diverse perspectives and developing a confident and well-rounded outlook for your final year back in Lancaster. By studying abroad you will be able to experience living in another country and exploring different and diverse sides of your degree subject.

In Year 4, you will have greater choice in the modules you study and may explore themes such as molecular medicine or cell signalling.

You will also put your learning into practice with your own independent research project. This is your opportunity to make a unique contribution to increasing scientific knowledge in an area of biochemistry that fascinates you.

A hands-on degree

Our state-of-the-art life science teaching laboratories will be at the heart of your degree. They are where you will put the knowledge you have acquired from lectures and tutorials into practice and get to know your course-mates and academics.

You will gain hands-on experience (depending upon your specialisation) of using equipment and facilities such as:

our bioimaging facility

protein purification and characterisation facilities

cell sorters

confocal microscopes

flow cytometers

PCR thermocyclers

cell culture facilities

In addition to laboratory practical classes and workshops, you will learn through lectures, workshops, tutorials, laboratory reports, essays and case studies, presentations, tests and exams. You will also benefit from digital resources through our online learning environment which will support your independent learning.

Altogether your classroom learning and practical experience means you will graduate well-prepared for a successful career as a biochemist or in other scientific and non-scientific fields.

Your department

Biomedical and Life Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medicine

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Key facts

Reasons to choose Lancaster for your biochemistry degree

Combined knowledge

Bridges biology and chemistry to tackle disease and beyond

Taught by experts

Uniquely taught by both chemistry and life sciences experts

Flexible

A flexible degree allowing you to explore related subjects such as pharmacology and neuroscience

State-of-the-art labs

Gain hands-on experience in our outstanding biosciences labs

Careers opportunities

Opens up roles in pharma R&D, diagnostics, biotechnology, academia and the NHS Scientist Training Programmes

Welcome to Biochemistry at Lancaster University

Biochemistry is an exciting and rapidly developing subject and the primary investigative science within biology and medicine. You will examine the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular and cellular level, studying core modules in biochemistry and chemistry.

Expand your horizons with a year abroad

Our four-year study abroad degree is an amazing opportunity to broaden your academic horizons, whilst experiencing a different culture and society.

You’ll spend your third year studying at one of our trusted international partner universities.

Living in another country and studying your subjects from a different perspective offers considerable benefit both in terms of your understanding of the subject and your preparation for life after university.

If you apply for a study abroad programme, we will also consider you for the standard degree programme.

If, during your first or second year, you decide you no longer wish to study abroad, you can simply switch to the standard degree programme. Destinations are given as a guide only as the availability of places at overseas partners may vary from year to year.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credits to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if suitable modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster.

Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.

Find out more about spending a year abroad

A degree in biochemistry will unlock a host of careers in biomedicine, research, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

Many biochemistry graduates work in scientific research and development in pharmaceutical and bioscience companies and institutes. Others go on to careers in diagnostics, molecular biology or food biotechnology.

You may consider roles such as:

Analytical Chemist

Biotechnologist

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Scientist

Forensic Scientist

Medicinal Chemist

Nanotechnologist

Research Scientist

Scientific Laboratory Technician

You may also consider the following careers after further training

Pharmacologist

Physician Associate

NHS Scientist

A degree in biochemistry provides a good foundation if you aspire to further postgraduate study and a career in research, or a graduate-entry degree in medicine.

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

Your transferable skills and analytical training will open up potential careers in other fields such as management, teaching, marketing and finance and studying abroad will help you stand out in a competitive employment world by evidencing your independence and global outlook.

Altogether, you will graduate with a scientific understanding of biochemistry, as well as the mindset, confidence and workplace experience to excel in the competitive world of employment.

Graduate destinations

Our recent biochemistry graduates have gone on to exciting roles which include:

Analytical Technician

Molecular Laboratory Scientist

Operations Analyst

Product Delivery Scientist

Research and Development Scientist

Science Technician

Healthcare Scientist

You can also apply for a paid summer internship in our department, helping you to gain additional research experience. Past interns have worked on research topics including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer biology, immunology, microbiology and tropical infectious diseases.

Employability at Lancaster: preparing you for the world of work

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also committed to ensuring that you graduate with relevant life and work-based skills.

Because professional skills are embedded throughout our curriculum, you will develop wider expertise valued by employers including communication, teamworking and negotiation skills, project management and problem-solving skills, ethical and environmental awareness.

We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

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A levels

AAB. This should include Biology and Chemistry.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 36 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 9 Level 3 credits at Merit, but you would need to meet the subject requirements.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD, considered alongside A level Chemistry grade B, and to include sufficient Biology content. We require Distinctions in the majority of relevant science units.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade AB plus BTEC at D. This would need to include A level Chemistry, and either A level Biology, or sufficient Biology content in the BTEC(s).

International Baccalaureate

35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects including 6 in HL Biology and 6 in HL Chemistry

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Not accepted

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 5/B, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.

Help from our Admissions team

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.

We also have more details on our website about:

Other qualifications we accept

International qualifications

How to apply and what happens afterwards

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with Lancaster University International Study Centre, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the Lancaster University International Study Centre for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Where the course offers optional modules, they may not all be available every year.

core modules accordion

Fundamentals of Chemistry A

This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of atoms and molecules, providing a base understanding from which to build your breadth and depth of knowledge. Through a series of interconnected topics, you will revisit many previously encountered chemistry concepts in a more rigorous and comprehensive manner, serving as a bridge to university-level chemistry. This will ensure you are exposed early on to fundamental chemistry concepts, irrespective of the curriculum you studied prior.

The initial focus will be on building a picture of how electrons behave in atoms and molecular bonds, before covering basic principles of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Key topics in this module include:

Structure, bonding, and chemical periodicity

Spectroscopy and proof of structure

Thermodynamics of ideal systems

Introduction to organic structure and mechanism

Genetics and Biotechnology

Explore the fascinating world of genetics and biotechnology, from the fundamentals of inheritance to cutting-edge genomics. You’ll examine Mendelian genetics and the molecular basis of inheritance through learning how DNA is replicated and how genes are transcribed and translated. You’ll examine the human genome, genome sequencing and be introduced to the role of bioinformatics in understanding genetic data. You’ll also discover how DNA damage can lead to genetic mutations that can in turn lead to heritable and non-heritable diseases and explore genetic testing techniques used today.

The module also introduces other key molecular biotechnologies, including microbial, plant and animal technologies, and how they are transforming research, healthcare, and industry. By the end of the module, you’ll have a strong foundation in genetics and biotechnology, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed for further study in biomedical and life sciences.

Introduction to Biosciences

This module introduces you to the essential skills required to support your studies in the biosciences. You will learn how to design and undertake safe, ethical, hypothesis-driven experiments, and gain hands-on experience of essential laboratory skills and equipment. This is complemented with training in carrying out scientific calculations and the use of computational tools to effectively analyse and present diverse types of data.

Finally, this module prepares you to communicate your research to a scientific audience through effective presentation of results and developing a scientific writing style that summarises and critically evaluates your results in the context of current scientific literature. By the end of the module, you will be able to conduct ethical research, analyse data and present your findings clearly and accurately.

Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity

This module will introduce you to the incredible world of microbiology. You’ll learn how some microbes are harmful, but others have important roles in the environment, in our bodies and are even exploited in the food industry.

Through hands-on practical sessions and workshops, you’ll learn how to identify microbes and understand the dynamics of microbial growth. You will also learn about how the human host responds to exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. We will explore the intricate relationship between pathogens and human health and explore how pathogens cause disease.

The biology of infecting organisms and the host’s immune response will both be examined as these are vital components in understanding the outcome of different types of infection. Selected infections from viruses to multi-cellular worms will be studied in detail and used as paradigms to illustrate principles of host/pathogen interaction.

Molecules to Cells

Cells are the basic building blocks of life. In this module you will be introduced to how cells use biological molecules to perform specific functions. All cellular life, from single celled bacteria and yeast to complex multicellular organisms, including plants and humans, synthesise simple organic molecules such as sugars, lipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids.

You will learn how organisms are able to synthesise these molecules to build complex biomolecules to store energy and genetic information. In addition, you will gain knowledge about the function of specific cell types, and intracellular organelles that perform essential processes within cells. You will learn how cells use defined programmes to precisely copy the genome to next generation cells. You will learn how defects in this process can promote cancer.

Optional

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Foundations of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Science

Pharmacology is a cornerstone of modern medicine. It provides the basis for the discovery, development, and use of drugs for the management and treatment of human health and disease. In this module you will learn about the key concepts and principles that underpin the science of pharmacology.

We will consider how drugs interact with targets in the body, to cause their physiological effects, and how our bodies interact with these drugs. We will also explore how these are impacted by factors like age, sex, and ethnicity. We’ll then explore drug discovery and development, including the stages involved in taking a new drug from initial concept through to clinical use.

Finally, we’ll consider the wider social context of pharmacology. We'll look at how risk and benefit are balanced when using drugs to treat or prevent disease and discuss drugs of abuse and their mechanisms.

Fundamentals of Chemistry B

Further explore key chemistry principles and gain a broad overview of future areas of chemistry that will be taught throughout your degree. Explore key concepts of reactivity and mechanism, building a more complete model of the world of atoms and molecules.

Chemical equilibria and kinetics

Main group chemistry

Transition metal coordination chemistry

Reaction mechanisms and reactivity in organic chemistry

Biochemistry of Cellular Metabolism

In this module you’ll explore the molecular principles that govern cellular function and metabolism. You’ll study the structure and function of key biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, with an emphasis on their roles in metabolic pathways and other essential cellular mechanisms.

Topics include enzyme kinetics, metabolic regulation, and the biochemical basis of energy transfer within the cell. The module will provide you with the molecular underpinnings of human health and highlight how disruptions in biochemical pathways contribute to disease development. Laboratory sessions will let you gain a more in-depth and practical understanding of the topics covered. By the end of the module, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of key cellular biochemical processes relevant to molecular medicine and biotechnology.

Life Cycle of Proteins

In this module you will develop your understanding of the key stages in the life cycle of proteins, from their synthesis to their breakdown. You will explore amino acid biosynthesis, protein translation by ribosomes, the intracellular trafficking of proteins, and the post-translational modifications that influence protein function. Protein degradation pathways, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system, will be considered.

The importance of regulation of protein homeostasis in health and disease will also be discussed. The module will integrate experimental approaches and techniques used to study proteins and provide you with new insights into their applications.

Microbiology and Immunology

This module explores the positive and negative roles of microbes with regards to human health. You will learn how our indigenous microbes help with numerous physiological functions, protect us from invasion by pathogens and how they are tolerated by our immune system.

We will take a detailed look at the pathogenic mechanisms of a range of microbes and what makes some more virulent than others. You will learn about our natural defence, the innate and adaptive immune system and how its various components (organs, cells, and messengers) collectively function to fight off infections.

We will also examine human interventions to control infections, i.e., prevention (e.g. disinfectants, vaccination) and therapy (anti-microbial compounds) and the challenges associated with each.

Cell and Developmental Biology

In this module you’ll explore the intricate processes through which cells respond to environmental and developmental signals. You’ll study the cellular signalling pathways, gene expression regulation, and the molecular mechanisms that guide processes such as growth, differentiation, migration, and survival.

The contribution of stem cells to these processes and how tightly regulated mechanisms shape tissues and organs will also be examined. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the dynamic interplay between cells and their surroundings, and how disruptions in these mechanisms contribute to developmental disorders and disease.

Drug Design and Development

This module takes you through the process of drug development - from initial discovery to market. We'll cover target identification and validation followed by hit identification and lead discovery. You’ll learn about different approaches for finding new drugs: from high throughput screening of compound libraries to focused screens, virtual screens and structure-based drug design.

You’ll gain insight into challenges in assessing the efficacy and safety of new drugs, including the testing strategies and legal requirements involved. We will explore how preclinical models are used to test pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters and how this helps determine factors like drug formulation and dosing schedule. You’ll learn about the role of clinical trials in determining drug safety and efficacy, considering trial design and the importance of post-approval surveillance. The module will also provide contextual information on how preclinical and clinical trials fit into the international medicines regulatory process and its requirements.

Fundamentals of Neuroscience

In this module you'll gain a detailed understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system. You will learn how the diverse cell types of the nervous system work together to allow it to perform its various complex functions.

We will cover aspects from the microscopic scale, such as the molecular inner workings of single neurons and synapses, up to the large-scale complexity of how brain areas work together to process information and produce behaviour. How these processes are impacted in a variety of neurological disorders will also be considered. You will also gain new insight into the range of experimental approaches and techniques that have been used to reveal fundamental aspects of how the nervous system works. This module provides a firm foundation for your future studies in neuroscience.

Molecular Genetics

In this module you will gain a deep understanding of the molecular processes that underpin the normal function of genes and genomes, with a focus on eukaryotes, and how these processes can become disrupted in disease.

We'll discuss DNA replication and the importance of faithful transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next. We will also consider the molecular mechanisms used by cells to ensure the information encoded in the genome is transcribed and translated appropriately to produce proteins. You'll gain insight into the crucial role epigenetics plays in genome function through its regulation of gene expression and learn about how mutations arise in genomes and their effects on human health. We'll also cover the experimental techniques used for genome manipulation and analysis - foundational methods to much of modern biology.

Organic Chemistry

Develop further knowledge and expertise in organic chemical synthesis, focusing on mechanistic and structural chemistry and expanding on the approaches we can use to rationalise and predict the behaviour, structure and reactions of organic molecules. You will also cover basic organometallic chemistry and the application of organometallics to organic synthesis. You will further your theoretical knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry, expanding on the approaches used to rationalise and predict molecular structure and functional group reactivity.

Retrosynthetic analysis

Aromatic chemistry

Alkene and alkyne chemistry

Enol and enolate chemistry

Conformational analysis

Organometallic chemistry in synthesis

These approaches combine to develop an enhanced picture of the properties and reactivity of chemical systems, and the standard routes to synthesising a variety of different chemical compounds. Practical application of these techniques is explored in practical and skills modules.

Pharmacology

This module will equip you with an in-depth understanding of critical concepts in the science of pharmacology through exploration of real-world examples. You will gain deeper insight into how pharmacodynamic parameters determine how drugs are administered and their effects on the body.

In addition to looking at how drugs affect the body, we'll also discuss how the body affects drugs - exploring in detail the pharmacokinetic parameters of absorption, distribution metabolism and excretion (ADME). You'll learn how drug formulation and delivery route can alter ADME characteristics, enabling a drug's effects to be fine-tuned to achieve the required clinical outcome. We will cover adverse effects of some drugs and how these can be mitigated. You'll also find out how individual and population genetics can affect drug responses and learn what this means for drug discovery and personalised medicine.

Principles of Chemical Structure Determination

Develop your knowledge and expertise in the characterisation of chemical systems. By integrating models of structure, bonding, motion and reactivity with spectroscopic and analytical techniques that can directly probe and interrogate chemical systems, you will develop an enhanced view of their properties, structure and behaviour.

Analytical chemistry

Symmetry and group theory

Organic spectroscopy

Inorganic spectroscopy

Macromolecules

Transition metal molecular orbital theory

Application of these techniques is explored in practical and skills modules.

Study Abroad

Study at one of our approved international partner universities in your year abroad. This will help you to develop your global outlook, expand your professional network, and gain cultural and personal skills. It is also an opportunity to gain a different perspective on your major subject through studying the subject in another country.

You will choose specialist modules relating to your degree and also have the opportunity to study modules from other subjects offered by the host university.

Places at overseas partners vary each year and have previously included universities in Australia, the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and Asia.

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a technical field that uses software applications to analyse many kinds of information relevant to biochemistry and other branches of biology. These include databases of biological sequences, structures, networks, and functional annotations.

In this module you’ll learn how to apply various important software tools to investigate a protein. Specifically, you will learn how to visualise and manipulate protein structures, how to detect evolutionary pressures in gene sequences and how to track their history using phylogenetics. The scientific computing skills you will acquire are also a valuable transferrable skill for other disciplines.

Biosciences Research Project

The research project provides you with first-hand experience of research and the opportunity to be immersed in an area of work of current interest in biomedical and life sciences. Your research project is underpinned by training in research methods to support you in planning, conducting, and reporting on an open-ended investigation.

Throughout your project, you’ll receive one-to-one support from a member of academic staff with expertise in your specific area of study. Projects cover a wide variety of topics and may be carried out in a variety of ways. They involve a significant amount of original work and analysis, so you gain experience in a range of skills, including experimental design and testing of hypotheses. The project also helps you to develop graduate attributes relevant to employment, including time management, communication skills, and independent working. The results of your research are reported in a written dissertation and an oral presentation.

Global Health Challenges

Whilst scientific advances have led to tremendous improvements in human health over the past century, significant challenges remain. These include, problems associated with an ageing population and an increase in non-communicable diseases, new and re-emerging infectious diseases, the impact of environmental factors and social determinants on health, as well as continued disparity in access to healthcare provision across different population groups.

In this module you will study challenges of global significance that will provide you with a real-world perspective on human health and the multi-disciplinary and collaborative approaches required to tackle challenges on a national and international scale. You will consider how technological advancements, such as the use of artificial intelligence, could positively transform healthcare, but also ethical concerns that may be raised by the implementation of new technologies.

Advanced Drug Design and Development

This module will provide an in-depth exploration of novel pharmacological approaches that are revolutionising the treatment of many conditions. You will be introduced to new concepts in the design and use of small molecules to treat disease. For example, we will look at how PROTACs and molecular glues can be used to degrade target proteins rather than inhibit them. We will also discuss recently emerging therapeutic avenues such as biologics, nanotechnology, cell and gene therapy, immunological therapies, and other medicine modalities. You'll understand how these approaches work and the benefits they offer in treating and preventing disease.

Advanced Neuroscience - Circuits and Systems

In this module you will learn how brain circuits are set up and how they work to process information and produce behaviour. This module will give you a deep and broad understanding of nervous system function, from the mechanisms involved in the development of the nervous system, to how it is set up to process sensory information.

You will learn about the neural control of complex behaviours, learning and memory and higher order cognitive processes. You’ll also learn about the valuable role that experiments conducted in a diverse range of model organisms has played in elucidating the developmental pathways, molecular mechanisms and neural circuits underlying behaviours. Practical exercises will enable you to further develop your skills in experimental design and data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as you learn about how nervous system function can be manipulated by genetic approaches and measured by behavioural analysis.

Biology of Ageing

Ageing is perhaps the most multidisciplinary area of study and certainly one of the remaining great mysteries in biology. Although we have known for decades why we age, our understanding of the biological mechanisms of ageing remains incomplete.

In this module you will learn about current evolutionary and mechanistic thinking on ageing. We will cover how the advent of modern molecular biology tools has empowered experimentalists to put theories to the test, unravelling context-specific and conserved mechanisms of ageing, to paint a complex, but hopeful picture of human ageing. You'll journey through the intricate, sometimes shocking, history of biogerontology, from early rate of living and molecular damage theories to more recent theories involving genetic programs, inflammation, and epigenetic clocks. You will gain insight into how ageing rate may be modulated through genetics, lifestyle and pharmacology.

Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

This module will examine the fundamental genetic causes of cancer, before discovering how modern genomics is transforming our understanding and treatment of this disease. You’ll explore the genetic and environmental factors that drive cancer, including inherited predisposition syndromes and lifestyle risks.

You’ll learn about cancer prevention strategies, screening techniques and diagnostic methods used in clinical practice. You will also explore the latest advances in cancer treatment, from targeted therapies to immunotherapy and the challenges of turning scientific discoveries into real-world treatments. You’ll engage with current research, gaining insights into the future of cancer care and study a range of common and rarer cancers. This will help your understanding of how research is shaping personalised medicine. By the end of the module, you’ll have a strong understanding of the causes, prevention, and latest advancements in the treatment of cancer, equipping you with the knowledge and skills for careers in research, biomedicine, biotechnology, and healthcare.

Cell Signalling in Health and Disease

In this module you will examine the role of cell signalling in maintaining health and the results of its dysfunction in disease. You will cover key signalling pathways and second messenger systems and their roles in cellular communication.

Emphasis is placed on experimental techniques used to study signalling pathways and their potential as therapeutic targets. Through case studies, research literature and experimental approaches you will develop a critical understanding of signalling mechanisms in both normal physiology and disease states.

Ethics in Biomedicine

Advances in biomedicine raise complex ethical challenges that shape research, policy, and healthcare. In this module you will explore key ethical principles, examining how cultural, social, and political factors influence biomedical debates.

This module will equip you with the critical thinking skills to navigate dilemmas across public health, genetics, regenerative medicine, and clinical trials. Through interactive seminars and workshops, you'll engage with real-world ethical controversies, enhancing your ability to assess biomedical advancements and their societal impact. Key topics include the development of ethical principles in biomedicine, ethical considerations in human and animal research, and emerging challenges in biomedicine. This module develops ethical literacy, professional awareness and analytical skills to support a career in biomedicine.

Medical Genetics and Clinical Immunology

In this module you will deepen your knowledge of clinical genetics and immunology. The genetic bases for diseases will be covered, along with the role of the clinical geneticist, the variety of diagnostic approaches and the future of genetics in medicine.

Examining immune function and immunopathologies, you'll consider clinical conditions such as autoimmunity, allergy and immunodeficiencies and how immunological techniques facilitate diagnosis and treatment. You will examine genetic and environmental causes of immune dysfunction and learn how this knowledge can be harnessed clinically in the context of transplantation and genetic disease.

Medicinal and Biological Applications of Organic Chemistry

This optional module covers topics informed by current research, providing significant depth in a specialised area of chemistry.

This module focuses on advanced topics in organic chemistry and will be of particular interest to you if you would like to focus on pharmaceutical, medicinal, and advanced mechanistic chemistry.

Chemical biology and biomolecular chemistry

Medicinal chemistry and drug design

Advanced asymmetric synthesis and catalysis

Strategies in Chemical Synthesis

Build upon topics learned in earlier years, covering the synthesis and structure of both organic molecules, the application of transition metal complexes to the catalysis of organic transformations, and further developing your knowledge and expertise in advanced synthetic chemistry.

Retrosynthesis and selective synthetic strategies

Asymmetric synthesis

Mechanistic and physical organic chemistry

Reactive intermediates and photochemical methods

Transition metal and organometallic chemistry

Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting at the beginning of each academic year.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2027/28 are:

International

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Additional costs

Additional costs for this course

It is recommended, but not compulsory, that students join the Biochemical Society. The cost for this will be approximately £20.

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2026 or 2027, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

Study abroad courses

In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. visa or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.

Placement and industry year courses

In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.

What is my fee status?

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.

Fees in subsequent years

Home fees are subject to annual review, and are liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. International fees (including EU) are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.

Fees for study abroad and work placements

We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee

International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will also be charged in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard international tuition fee during the Study Abroad year

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard international tuition fee during the Placement year

Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.

Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Fee status:

Any fee status

Home students

International students

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Biosciences at Lancaster

Find out more about the Biosciences at Lancaster University.

Just like you

Once upon a time our academics were just like you. Read their stories here.

Rebecca's year in industry

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. My role was lab-based, requiring me to conduct research and develop new experimental protocols.

As part of my placement, I had the opportunity to learn new techniques, such as protein crystallography and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). I was also able to experience familiar skills, such as protein expression and purification, in the context of a biotechnology company.

I now understand the collaborative, fast-paced nature of the sector, and I loved it! I managed to speak to many researchers and learnt about their career pathways and decided that my next step will be further study through a PhD.

Rebecca, third-year student

Biochemistry (Placement Year) BSc

Similar courses

BSc Hons : C700

MSci Hons : C706

Biochemistry (Placement Year)

BSc Hons : C707

Biochemistry (with a Foundation Year)

BSc Hons : C70F

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.

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