Biochemistry (BSc)
- Subject area: Biochemistry
- UCAS code: C700
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Research-led teaching
Experience engaging teaching that is driven by our research expertise. You’ll also have access to an exciting range of training opportunities in research laboratories within the School of Biosciences.
Real-world context
Biochemistry plays a fundamental role in everyday life, affecting different aspects of society. From nature, retail, food, cosmetics, and healthcare, the impact of biochemistry is everywhere.
Great career prospects
Over 94% of our graduates from the School of Biosciences are in employment, further study or other activities 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes).
Biochemistry explores the molecular basis of life. It has a rich history of scientific discoveries — from enzymology and metabolic pathways to the discovery of genes and the structure of DNA, there is so much to uncover through Biochemistry.
When you join us, you’ll learn how biochemistry and biomolecular sciences contribute to advances in medicine and biotechnology, synthetic biology and protein engineering, molecular biology, bioinformatics, genome mapping and genetics. Supported by the very latest research and discoveries, our teaching allows you to explore how biochemical processes can help us to understand and solve real-world problems. You will learn from experts in synthetic biology and protein engineering, molecular biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, genome mapping and genetics.
Our passion for science is embedded throughout this programme, from your lectures and workshops to your practical sessions, where you’ll put theory into practice. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in all aspects of both classroom and modern laboratory teaching and receive support to develop your laboratory techniques. Through a hands-on curriculum, which blends research and insights from industry, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need in preparation for a successful career.
You can also tailor some aspects of your degree to suit your interests, combining core biochemistry modules with other modules of your choice. In your final year of study, you’ll have the chance to investigate a topic that you want to explore in more depth, supervised by supportive researchers who are experts in their field. This enables you to focus on innovative solutions to current day issues.
Our mission is to provide you with the skills you need to embark on a career of your choice. You will graduate with valuable transferable skills in computing, statistics, data analysis, and presenting your work, preparing you for a successful future.

Subject area: Biochemistry
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
AAB-BBB. Must include Biology or Chemistry. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. Must include grade 6 in HL Biology or Chemistry.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
- GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to lab facilities including chemicals
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
Qualifications from outside the UK
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
There are no additional costs associated with studying on our course.
Course specific equipment
No specific equipment is required. We will provide IT facilities (in a communal space), laboratories equipped with specialist equipment, and all specialist software required for the course.
You are advised to have a personal laptop computer or equivalent.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
On our course, you’ll gain an excellent foundation for your future within all areas of biochemistry and molecular sciences. You’ll be prepared for a career in a science-related field, such as biotechnology research and development, medical or scientific publishing, pharmaceutical industries, and molecular biology, amongst many others.
You’ll also develop transferable skills that are attractive to a wide range of employers across the private, public and voluntary sectors. These skills will present the opportunity to explore careers outside of science, if you wish to do so.
A Biochemistry qualification can also act as a stepping stone to further training across a broad range of professional areas.
Placements
While our programme does not include any formal work placements, we strongly encourage students to undertake informal work placements during the summer vacations to enhance employability. The University’s Student Futures team may be able to support you with sourcing summer work placement opportunities.
Next steps
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How to apply
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.