University of Essex

BSc Biochemistry

University of Essex

Course overview

Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the fundamental chemical processes within living organisms. Biochemistry considers molecular-level processes across a range of disciplines, including genetics, microbiology, forensics, and medicine. Because of this breadth, biochemistry is hugely important, and advances in this field over the past 100 years have been staggering. 

The BSc Biochemistry at the University of Essex specialises in structure-function relationships of biomolecules, which offer insight into the interactions that occur in the complex cellular pathways that control vision and cell death. In their large and friendly School of Life Sciences, students learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical lab sessions, allowing them to ask questions and develop skills by doing experiments at the laboratory bench.

Students gain a solid grounding across a range of related topics, with the chance to contribute to real-world research projects in their final year of study.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements:

  • UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points

  • A level - BBB

  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

  • Access to HE Diploma - D: 6 credits M: 39 credits

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 - 30 points

  • T Level - D.

English Language Requirements:

  • Applicants who don't have English as their first language will be required to have an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component,  or equivalent.

Scholarships

  • Essex Preparation Programme Bursary

    £250 cash bursary.

    Up to £250

  • Hong Kong Undergraduate Scholarship

    The awards offered are a discount of £5,000 per year for a maximum of three years of full-time undergraduate study, up to a maximum of £15,000.

    Up to £15,000

  • International Baccalaureate Excellence Scholarship

    If you're starting at Essex in 2026-27 and achieve academic excellence in your International Baccalaureate, we will offer you a scholarship of £2,000 for your first year of study.

    Up to £2,000

  • Performance Sports Scholarships and Bursaries

    Tier 1 - Tuition fee discount up to 100%, Tier 2 - Cash bursary (of varying amounts), Tier 3 - Access to the above performance package benefits, with a value of up to £1,500.

  • The Always Essex Staff Discount Scholarship

    33% discount of the first-year tuition fee (first two years for part-time study).

  • The International Undergraduate Scholarship

    The award is offered as a £5,000 discount on your tuition fees for the first year of study in 2026-27 only.

    Up to £5,000

  • The Undergraduate Premium Pathway Scholarship

    You may be eligible for a tuition fee discount of £5,000, for each year of study at Essex up to a maximum of 3 years.

    Up to £5,000

Career opportunities

The BSc Biochemistry from the University of Essex allows graduates to pursue career roles such as:

  • Biochemist

  • Biomedical Scientist

  • Laboratory Technician

  • Metrologist

  • Chemical Engineer

Cost of study

The tuition fee for the BSc Biochemistry in the University of Essex is  £24,360 per year for international students. (Fees will increase for each academic year of study).

Admission

To apply for the course, applicants can apply directly to the university through its online application portal or through UCAS. For personalised help with your application, please speak to one of our trained counsellors.

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