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We are a leading centre of research and were ranked 8th in the UK for ‘Pre-clinical and Human Biological Sciences’ research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 85 per cent of our research was rated as internationally recognised or higher, and over half rated as internationally excellent or higher.
Sussex was ranked in the top 25 in the UK for biological sciences in The Times Good University Guide 2013 and in the top 30 in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2014.
We attract high-quality scientists to build a reputation for scientific excellence and to provide training for doctoral students in a supportive and collegial atmosphere.
We offer formal taught research and study skills training to all our postgraduates.
Our collaborative links with the Genome Damage and Stability Centre and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School offer exciting opportunities for our taught and research students to experience cutting-edge research projects across many interdisciplinary areas.
Our faculty members research a broad range of subjects, from understanding molecular mechanisms of diseases such as Epstein-Barr virus and Alzheimer’s disease to the use of bacterial toxins as pesticides. Our expertise ranges from structural biology to cell biology and therefore the environment is highly multidisciplinary, providing excellent training for research students.
We have state-of-the-art facilities, enabling protein structure elucidation using x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and biophysics, as well as protein structural analysis using bioinformatics. The Sussex Centre for Advanced Microscopy includes confocal, 2-photon and time-lapse video microscopy, transmission and scanning electron-microscopy, giving high-level imaging of primary and cultured cells.
You will be working in a centre of excellence facilitating the translation of basic scientific discovery into the delivery of novel treatments. The Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre Initiative is jointly funded by Cancer Research UK, the National Institute for Health Research in England and the Health Departments for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sussex is part of the Barts and Brighton Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC). The ECMCs drive the development of new anti-cancer treatments across the UK.
Programmes
- PhD in Biochemistry
- MPhil in Biochemistry
The School of Life Sciences welcomes you to join a vibrant international research community. Research in the School ranges from studies on the most basic chemical building blocks of life to studies on how the brain generates behaviour or how insect societies are organised. We offer PhD/MPhil degrees and welcome projects falling within our research interests.
Student progress and support
Throughout your studies, you are expected to take part in laboratory meetings, journal clubs and to attend a weekly seminar series. All students are encouraged to attend, and present their work at, national and international scientific meetings. You are also encouraged to attend weekly School seminars.
The School offers full support to all research students throughout their research period by monitoring their research progress in the form of annual reviews, informal meetings, mid-year reports (Year 1) and active participation in the Postgraduate Research Colloquium. The aim of the Colloquium is to bring research students and faculty together for a wider discussion of the ongoing research projects within the School. All third-year research students give a talk on their research, and all second-year research students submit a poster depicting the key aims and objectives, methods and findings of their research project.
We aim to ensure that you have the best possible research experience. The relationships between supervisors and research students are often among the most rewarding academic partnerships in the School. We also host a monthly Coffee Morning and a Beer Hour for our students to mingle with their peers and supervisors across various disciplines. We take student feedback very seriously and PhD student representatives form an integral part of our Student Experience Committee.
Supervision
All our research students are assigned at least two supervisors, typically a main supervisor and a co-supervisor. Progress is monitored by informal meetings and annual reports.
Entry requirements
- MPhil in Biochemistry
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UK entrance requirements
A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research.
Overseas entrance requirements
If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Country Overseas qualification Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8 Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+) China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5 France Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13 Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5 Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15 Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105 Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent Malaysia Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1 Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8 Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3 Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70% Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4 Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
Additional admissions information
If you are a non-EEA student you must obtain clearance by the UK Government Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for this degree. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your university application to be considered and processed in time for you to apply for ATAS clearance and your Tier 4 visa.
- PhD in Biochemistry
-
UK entrance requirements
A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in a subject relevant to your chosen area of research.
Overseas entrance requirements
If your country is not listed below, please contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
Country Overseas qualification Australia Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division Brazil Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 8 Canada Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+) China Bachelor degree from a leading university with overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university Cyprus Bachelor degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5 France Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13 Germany Bachelor degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better Ghana Bachelor degree from a public university with second-class upper division Greece Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.5 Hong Kong Bachelor (Honours) degree with second-class upper division India Bachelor degree from a leading institution with overall mark of at least 60% or equivalent Iran Bachelor degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15 Italy Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105 Japan Bachelor degree from a leading university with a minumum average of B+ or equivalent Malaysia Bachelor degree with class 2 division 1 Mexico Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8 Nigeria Bachelor degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 Pakistan Four-year bachelor degree, normally with a GPA of at least 3.3 Russia Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 South Africa Bachelor (Honours) degree or Bachelor degree in Technology with an overall mark of at least 70% Saudi Arabia Bachelor degree with an overall mark of at least 70% or CGPA 3.5/5.0 or equivalent South Korea Bachelor degree from a leading university with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent Spain Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4 Taiwan Bachelor degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university Thailand Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent Turkey Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 depending on your university United Arab Emirates Bachelor degree with CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or equivalent USA Bachelor degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university Vietnam Masters degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or equivalent If you have any questions about your qualifications after consulting our overseas qualifications, contact the University at E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
Additional admissions information
If you are a non-EEA student you must obtain clearance by the UK Government Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for this degree. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your university application to be considered and processed in time for you to apply for ATAS clearance and your Tier 4 visa.
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related subjects
Fees and funding
Fees
- MPhil in Biochemistry
-
Home UK/EU students: £3,9001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,9002
Overseas students: £16,20031 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
- PhD in Biochemistry
-
Home UK/EU students: £3,9001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,9002
Overseas students: £16,20031 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Faculty interests
Dr John Armstrong We study how fission yeast transforms from a single cell to complex pseudo-hyphae, as a model for differentiation and fungal infection.
Professor John Atack I am interested in developing new drugs for treating cancer, neurological diseases and other disorders.
Dr Neil Crickmore We are working to characterise, and exploit, a species of bacterium that can produce toxins capable of killing both insect pests and human cancer cells.
Professor Tony Moore We study the structure, function and inhibition of cyanide-insensitive respiration via the alternative oxidase in plants, fungi and human pathogens.
Professor Simon Morley How do cells know how much and what kinds of protein to make and why do cancer cells often get it so wrong?
Dr Mark Paget Understanding and exploiting stress responses in bacteria for the production of antibiotics and biofuels.
Dr Chris Prodromou My research aims over the past 20 years have been directed towards understanding the molecular details by which Hsp90 brings about the maturation of client proteins.
Professor Louise Serpell We study the outcomes of protein misfolding – leading to toxicity and deposition in disease, or to the formation of very strong, fibrous proteins.
Professor Alison Sinclair Viruses infect cells and redeploy the available resources to turn them into virus replication factories – some can be controlled, others remain deadly parasites.
Dr Michelle West Our research is focused on deciphering the mechanisms involved in B-cell transformation by the cancer-associated herpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus.
Careers and perspectives
Career development is an important part of our PhD training. The development of research and transferable skills is supported by the Sussex Postgraduate Skills Programme, which runs a large number of short skills modules, including interview skills, time management, oral presentations and thesis writing. All postgraduate research students complete a skills assessment and choose a personalised set of modules.
We provide training programmes that will equip you with the knowledge for scientific careers in academia, industry and scientific publishing. A PhD will give you a range of transferable skills that will be valuable in your chosen career. Our PhD graduates have secured posts as science teachers, university lecturers and as researchers within the pharmaceutical industry. Many of our graduates go on to postdoctoral research posts within the UK, as well as in Europe, the USA and Canada.
For more information, visit Careers and alumni.
School and contacts
School of Life Sciences
The School of Life Sciences provides an exciting and attractive environment for learning and research, with a thriving international community of students and academics.
Biochemistry and molecular biology,
School of Life Sciences, Postgraduate Admissions,
John Maynard Smith Building,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
T +44 (0)1273 678057
E lifesci@sussex.ac.uk
School of Life Sciences: Biochemistry and molecular biology
Postgraduate Open Day 2013
4 December 2013, 1pm-4pm
Bramber House, University of Sussex
- talk to academic faculty and current postgraduate students
- subject talks and presentations on postgraduate study, research and funding
- choose from our exciting range of taught Masters and research degrees
- find out how postgraduate study can improve your career prospects
- get details of our excellent funding schemes for taught postgraduate study.
To register your interest in attending, visit Postgraduate Open Day.
Can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day? You might be interested in attending one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions.
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
If you can’t make it to our Postgraduate Open Day, you’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.
Other ways to visit Sussex
We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.
You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.