If you want to enjoy a practical study of one of the fastest-growing and most fascinating areas of human knowledge, then our Biochemistry course is for you.

You’ll be taught by - and also get the chance to assist - brilliant scientists who are involved in groundbreaking research and new discoveries.

Increasingly, biochemists and biotechnologists are playing a crucial role in genetic engineering and molecular bioengineering, as well as other areas of physiology and medicine.

For instance, antibiotics remain one of the UK's main exports and their production by fermenting micro-organisms in the pharmaceutical industry has revolutionised healthcare.

We want to give you a comprehensive understanding of the theory and application of biotechnology and biochemistry in areas of medicine and industry.

So you can be part of this invigorating exploration, studying subjects that are playing a key role in improving manufacturing processes, in fighting disease and improving our lives.

This course comes with the option of a year-long industry placement between years two and three. If you choose this option, you’ll spend your third year working in a hospital or research centre, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for a BSc degree, you have the option of taking an extended four-year version of this course. You’ll take a Bioscience foundation year which will prepare you for the BSc degree.

Your first year will be a general introductory to the subject, focusing on the three core areas of chemistry, cell biology and biochemistry.

In year two, you’ll study core modules such as Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics, at the end of which there could be the option of a year-long work placement in a laboratory away from the University. Taking this option could improve your chances of finding the right job after you graduate.

A large part of your final year will be taken up on an independent research project as well as looking at advances in biotechnology and biochemistry and the analysis of the human genome.

You’ll find working on your own project rewarding and enjoyable while it will also develop both your laboratory skills and your ability to collect and collate new data.

We like to keep the learning varied and interactive at the University of East London, so you’ll be encouraged to participate in a wide range of subjects, including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory practicals and web-learning.

You’ll be taught, often in small groups, by renowned lecturers who are involved with research that is making a difference. For instance, Dr David Guiliano is a molecular biologist who works in the new and exciting field of molecular vaccines, while Course Leader Dr David Bringloe’s research speciality is the production of therapeutic proteins in plant cell cultures.
You’ll get the chance to help with our academics’ research as well as pursuing areas of your own interest, especially with your own final-year research project.

Within the Biosciences field we have ten teaching laboratories, six dedicated research labs and a large variety of specialist equipment at our base in Stratford. You’ll spend many hours there, doing practical work and learning about the latest techniques.

If you opt for the year-long work placement, UEL has an excellent track record in placing our students at leading hospitals and research centres. Competitive scholarships are also available to help with summer work placements and internships.

Each year you will spend up to 240 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.

The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: 175 Hours – Taught Sessions, 70 Hours – Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 2: 165 Hours – Taught Sessions, 75 Hours – Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 3: 160 Hours – Taught Sessions, 80 Hours – Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning

Whilst we encourage students to undertake placements during their study. Capacity may vary year-to-year and placements may not be available to all students. This means students may have to go through a competitive process to secure their chosen placement.

Who will teach on this course

David Bringloe

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

You’ll be gaining a broad and varied grounding in biotechnology and biochemistry during your time with us, which means you’ll find a range of career possibilities opening up to you after graduating.

You could go into laboratory-based work in a hospital or research institute, or work at an industrial or pharmaceutical lab.

You might find you’re well suited for a role as a research and development consultant, or use your knowledge to teach the next generation. If you follow this route, the University of East London is renowned for the quality of its postgraduate teacher-training courses.

Alternatively, you may wish to continue studying biotechnology or biochemistry at postgraduate level or study a related discipline such as nursing, physiotherapy, dentistry, medicine or pharmacy.

Some of Course Leader Dr David Bringloe’s students have achieved great success. For example, Marta Futema went straight into cancer research at University College London (UCL) because her work at UEL was so outstanding.

Others went on to Oxford University and Royal Holloway while two of our most recent graduates have landed scholarships for Biotechnology master’s degrees at UCL.

No doors are closed with this degree. One of our graduates decided he wanted to forge a career in the corporate world of pharmaceuticals. He was head-hunted for a job with leading biopharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, before retraining as a doctor at a medical school.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.