On this course, you’ll follow the same programme as our BSc Biochemistry students, but you will spend your third year working in industry – perhaps in a pharmaceutical company, or a biotechnology or research institute laboratory. Here you’ll gain experience and insight that’s highly valued by future employers, putting you one step ahead of other graduates. Our biochemistry degrees are taught jointly by the Schools of Biological Sciences and Chemistry. This dual approach means that in all elements of the course you benefit from subject-specific experts who inform our undergraduate teaching.  Both Schools have research environments recognized to be internationally excellent and with researchers generating outputs of international standing. 

Our research makes use of a wide array of facilities such as multi-photon and laser scanning confocal microscopes for the study of cells and tissues at the molecular level, high-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers and X-ray diffractometers for the study of molecular structure, mass spectrometers, liquid and gas chromatography systems, and fluorescence and electron microscopes.   

You will benefit from our enviable position as an integral partner of the Norwich Research Park, which is also home to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and independent, world-renowned research institutes such as the John Innes Centre (research in plant and microbial sciences), the Sainsbury Laboratory (plant-microbe interactions), the Earlham Institute (computational biosciences and biotechnology) and the Quadram Institute (gut health, microbiology and food science).  

ACCREDITATION

This course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. Advanced accreditation recognises academic excellence in the biosciences, and highlights degrees that educate the research and development leaders and innovators of the future. The advanced accreditation criteria require evidence that graduates meet defined sets of learning outcomes, including substantial research experience.  

The current accreditation is for a five-year period, from 2019 to 2024. We expect to apply for renewal at the end of this period.  

PLACEMENT YEAR AND STUDY ABROAD

On this course you will spend your third year working  on a placement that is relevant to your interests, gaining experience and skills that are highly valued by future employers. You will be expected to seek your own work placement, and in the first two weeks of your second year you will be asked to write a CV and apply to a range of companies. Not only will this ensure that you work within your preferred field, it will also provide you with the essential job-hunting skills you will require after graduation. We will, of course, offer our guidance and support whilst you are identifying and negotiating placement opportunities.  

During this placement year you’ll be supported by an workplace supervisor and a mentor from the university. You and your supervisor will feed back during the placement to ensure that it is progressing well, and your UEA mentor will visit you during the year.  

Please note that we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers.  If you are unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year you will have the option to apply to transfer onto the equivalent degree programme without a placement year.

AFTER THE COURSE

Your biochemistry degree could lead to a broad range of employment and postgraduate opportunities. You may go on to work in biotechnology, medicinal chemistry, clinical biochemistry, forensic science, the brewing and food industries, medical biochemistry, science patenting or teaching.  

Alternatively, you might choose to progress to a higher degree. A number of our graduates have gone on to doctoral study and then have taken up posts in university, medical or industrial research laboratories. We work with UEA’s Careers Service to offer you support at every stage of your course, from choosing a career through to applying for graduate jobs and further study.  

CAREER DESTINATIONS

Examples of careers that you could enter include:  

• Medical or industrial research 

• Biotechnology 

• Medicinal chemistry 

• Clinical biochemistry 

• Science patenting 

• Brewing and food industries