Aston University, Birmingham has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Our Biochemistry course is focused on preparing you for a future career that makes a big difference. Studying at Aston gives you unrivalled hands-on experience, world-class facilities and specialist teaching. In addition, your integrated placement year will give you the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice. You can undertake placements in hospital, industrial or research laboratories, as well as non-laboratory settings. As a biochemist, you’ll help to comprehend and resolve biological problems through the use of molecular expertise and processes. You will help to lead the way in developing new thinking, techniques and technology in the fields of:
- medicine
- pharmaceutics
- biotechnology
- agriculture
- nutrition
- Design your own practical experiments including producing and testing antibiotics.
- Research how cells communicate as part of our cell membrane research group.
- Take part in a Dragons Den style pitch for new innovations in biotechnology, aimed at solving current industrial problems.
Modules
Year 1 Develop a thorough understanding of the processes that underpin key areas of biochemistry such as how biomolecules assemble into complex structures, how genetic material is stored and inherited and fundamental microbiological concepts. Core modules: Biomolecules, Cells to Systems, Microbiology and Genetics, and Molecular Metabolism. Year 2 Study topics such as how changes at the molecular level lead to disease, the role that cell signalling plays in life processes and learn how to apply fundamental biochemical concepts to experimental and real-world problems. Core modules: Cell Membranes, Mechanisms of Pathology, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and Protein Structure and Function. Placement year Gain valuable career boosting experience by setting your studies in a real-world context of a working environment alongside professionals. Final year Undertake a substantial original research project, choose from a range of advanced modules, and further develop your professional skills ready for your first career step post graduation. Core modules: Research Project Preparation, Research Project, and Professional Skills for Biochemists. In addition, you will complete three of the following four options; Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Industrial Biotechnology and/or Advanced Cell Membranes. For more information, please visit our website.
Assessment method
Through a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, you will gain key laboratory, analytical, computational and communication skills needed by the modern biochemist. We maximise the time you spend doing hands-on practical work in the lab using specially designed online activities both before and after the lab sessions. Each year of study is worth 120 credits, with each credit equivalent to 10 learning hours. The learning hours may include but are not limited to; lectures, seminars, tutorials, lab sessions, practicals, online activity, reading, other independent study, reflecting on assignment feedback, field trips and work placements. You will be assessed throughout the course with wide range of assessments linked to learning outcomes, such as: examinations (unseen essay, short answer or multiple-choice questions), essays, presentations, laboratory reports, project work and computer-based assessment.
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- C700
- Institution code:
- A80
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Please contact the University directly for further information on overseas scholarships.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D*D* - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF) - DD
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 31 points
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - Not accepted
Whilst the grades listed here are our entry requirements, we understand that predicted grades are only an estimate. We will therefore consider applicants with predicted grades that fall below these entry requirements if the application is of a high standard (however, initial offers will not be lower than stated above). The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this course for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire with the relevant admissions teams prior to application whether or not their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor. Offerholders Visit Days Once you have received an offer, you will be invited to an Offerholders Visit Day to discover more about the course and Aston University.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £20700 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
The placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students.
For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies.
For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies
**The latest information relating to EU students and tuition fees for 2024 can be found on the UCAS website at: https://www.ucas.com/finance/finance-international-and-eu-students.
***The United Kingdom government has confirmed that European Union (EU), other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals commencing academic courses in England from August 2021 will no longer be eligible for home fee status.
^^Tuition fees for students are reviewed annually and may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering the Programme. Any such increase shall always be in accordance with the law.
Provider information
Aston University, Birmingham
Aston Triangle
Birmingham
B4 7ET