Five reasons to study biochemistry at Surrey

On our BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) Biochemistry courses, you’ll get to select modules tailored to your interests, access state-of-the-art facilities, gain industry experience, have the option to study for an integrated masters and enhance your employability.

Surrey has been named as ‘University of the Year for Graduate Employment’ in the Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2022.

1. Select modules tailored to your interests

During your first two years on our BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) Biochemistry courses, you’ll develop an understanding of the fundamental processes of life at a cellular and molecular level, whilst choosing optional modules in bacteriology, biodiversity, neuroscience and virology. In your third year, you’ll select five optional modules exploring topics such as genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, systems biology and toxicology. These will allow you to specialise and delve deeper into your areas of interest.

Studying biochemistry has allowed me to develop a way of viewing the world around me that no other subject could replicate. On my course, I really enjoy the choice of modules that are available, especially as you progress into the third year because the course structure allows you to format your degree pathway in a way that complements your interests. Rui Miguel Abrantes da Silva, Biochemistry BSc

2. Access state-of-the-art facilities

As a biochemistry student at Surrey, you’ll benefit from hands-on learning in our £12.5 million Innovation for Health Learning Laboratory. The laboratory is fitted with the latest industry equipment, and TV screens are used to show you how to conduct experiments and follow scientific protocols. In your final year, you’ll also get access to our dissertation research project laboratory.

Laboratory-based practical work will form an integral part of your course and you’ll get to conduct your first experiment during your second week. Your time in our facilities will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with biochemical methodology and develop the practical laboratory experience that’s essential in a research career and valued by a wide range of employers.

3. Gain industry experience

Our Professional Training placements give you the opportunity to gain real industry experience. You can choose to work for a range of employers, including pharmaceutical organisations, food suppliers, hospitals and biotechnology companies, to practise and enhance your skills.

We have an extensive number of partner institutions that offer placements exclusively to Surrey students, giving you access to research laboratories across the world.

I completed a professional training placement at the Clemson Center for Human Genetics in Greenwood, South Carolina. There are too many highlights to count, but one of the standouts was the connections I was able to make - I got to meet some of the most amazing people. Ugonna Emmanuel Ihearahu, Biochemistry BSc

4. Choose to study for an integrated masters

With this course, you have the option to complete an integrated masters which incorporates an additional research-focused year of study, covering advanced techniques in biochemistry, scientific communication and a laboratory-based dissertation. This will prepare you for a technical research career in industry or academia, with many using this as a gateway to PhD study.

An integrated masters is also cheaper than a separate postgraduate degree, and your tuition can be covered by your student finance loan. This additional year is open to UK, EU and international students.

5. Enhance your employability

We'll prepare you for a wide range of careers, 93% of our biosciences and medicine graduates go on to full-time employment or further study.* Our alumni can be found in academic and industrial research laboratories around the world, with recent graduates working for the Institute of Cancer Research and The Body Shop International plc.

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) Biochemistry course

* Graduate Outcomes 2021 (PDF)