Course summary

Spend a year on a paid work placement as part of your degree. Test out a career path you're considering between your second and third year and show employers you're ready for the world of work. Investigate biological systems at the molecular level, and the role biochemistry can play in humanity’s future. Learn to apply that knowledge during a placement year in industry, government or the charity sector. Studying biochemistry at the University of Sheffield allows you to investigate the structure and function of biological systems at the molecular level. From your first year you’ll study modules that span the molecular biosciences, with the option to explore additional topics that build on your molecular understanding from across the whole of bioscience. This flexibility allows you to learn how life works in the area that interests you. At Sheffield, you’ll be encouraged to be creative, think independently, and express your ideas. You’ll be in the lab completing practicals across molecular genetics, DNA manipulation and protein structure analysis. You’ll get the chance to use cutting-edge equipment to run your own in-depth research projects in an area such as clinical diagnostics or brewing biotechnology. As you progress through your degree, you’ll learn about the various ways that biochemistry can be applied to major challenges affecting humanity today, from how we sustainably feed a global population, to healthy ageing and how new drugs are designed. Your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals. Your placement year is a great opportunity to test out a career path and work alongside professionals, to acquire skills that will make you a great candidate for future jobs, be research-focussed or move towards business or management. You'll pay reduced fees while you're on placement, and we do everything we can with you and our partners to ensure it’s paid. Our students have found placements at GSK and Pfizer, or in areas like market research, communications or business development. Why study this course?

• 4th in the UK for research quality - the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 rated 98% of research and impact from the School of Biosciences as world-leading or internationally excellent.

• Make the course your own - study the full range of biochemistry or specialise in areas such as biotechnology, molecular genetics, antibiotic resistance or sustainability.

• State-of-the-art facilities - including multi-million pound microscopy equipment, NMR imaging and facilities for genomics, proteomics and metabolomics research.

• Build connections and a career - placement organisations include GSK, Thermofisher, and Labcorp or at government research institutes such as the UK Health Security Agency and the Institute of Cancer Research.