To view programme information choose from the list on the left
Essentials
What A levels/IB scores do I need?
(For other qualifications information, refer to Applicants from outside the UK)
Typical A level offer range: ABB-BBB
A levels (or equivalent) must include Chemistry and one other science subject
Typical IB diploma offer range: 32-34 points including Higher Levels in Chemistry and another science
What else do I need?
GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and English
Special entrance requirements apply to Biosciences (with a Foundation Year). Refer to the programme description for details
What qualities should I bring?
Intellectual curiosity; an interest in using practical work to solve biological and biochemical problems; problemsolving skills; enthusiasm
Fees
Refer to information on fees
What scholarships are there?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a number of scholarships worth up to £1,000 per year for students who obtain AAA at A level, or £500 per year for students who obtain AAB and who firmly accept our offer
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall and not less than 6.0 in both the Listening and Writing sections. For alternative English language requirements, refer to English language requirements
Foundation year for UK and EU students
Refer to Biosciences (with a Foundation Year)
Foundation year for non-EU students
If your qualifications (including English language) do not yet meet our entry requirements for admission direct to the first year of these degree programmes, we offer an international foundation year entry route. Refer to Foundation programmes and courses for details
How do I find out more?
For more information, contact the subject coordinator:
E ug.admissions@
biochemistry.sussex.ac.uk
T +44 (0)1273 678297
F +44 (0)1273 877586
School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex,
Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK
Biochemistry website
When can I visit?
We welcome visitors to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Please contact the admissions tutor at the above address to arrange a date and time
Our open day dates for 2009 are 13 June and 10 October. We also run regular campus tours.
Please book online on the visitors web page or call 01273 876787
Why biochemistry?
Biochemistry seeks to understand and explain living systems at the molecular level. It is a scientific discipline that finds applications across the biomedical and biological sciences and underpins the biotechnology revolution. Its rapid rate of development is amazing, making it an exciting and challenging subject to study.
Biochemists try to answer questions that are fundamental to life. What are the molecules that constitute living organisms? How are they made and how is their synthesis regulated? How are they organised into cells and how do cells assemble to create whole organisms? What is the molecular basis of such processes as genetic inheritance, evolution, the immunological recognition of invading micro-organisms and the astonishing powers of the mammalian brain? What goes wrong to cause human diseases such as cancer, strokes, heart attacks and mental illness? How can such errors be corrected?
This knowledge finds practical application in medicine, agriculture, brewing and biotechnology. Biochemists devise new ways of diagnosing and treating human, animal and plant diseases; identify new targets for the pharmaceutical industry; and design new biotechnological treatments and processes. A degree in biochemistry is one of the best preparations for a scientific career in these fields.
Why biochemistry at Sussex?
- Sussex is ranked among the top 10 universities in the UK to study biochemistry: 7th for Biosciences in The Guardian University Guide (2010).
- Biochemistry at Sussex was rated 3rd among university biochemistry departments for the second year running in the 2007 National Student Survey (NSS).
- Rated 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 recognised internationally or higher, and over half rated as internationally excellent or higher.
- You are taught by active researchers using state-of- the-art equipment, and have the opportunity to undertake an independent project in one of our research teams in your final year.
- The Biochemistry degree offers a range of options with a strong strand of chemistry, enabling you to pursue the subject in different ways according to your particular interests and preferences.
- The optional sandwich year provides you with a year’s experience of working in industry, equipping you with a wide range of transferable and laboratory skills, enhancing your employability.
- The flexible structure of the degree programme makes it possible to transfer between Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics and Molecular Medicine in the first year.
What sort of career could I have?
- higher degrees with a view to either entering research in biochemistry and biomedical sciences or posts in the other professions allied to medicine
- research assistant in industry, hospitals, university and government research laboratories
- scientific administration or management posts in the NHS, or the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries
- graduate entry into medicine
- teaching
- journalism and publishing
- sales and financial services.
How will I learn?
Courses are taught by a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Assignments for tutorials include essays, data handling, computer-based studies and preparation of short talks. Developing your laboratory skills is a key objective of the first two years of the degree programme. There are weekly research seminars, where staff or visiting scientists explain recent developments in a specific field. In the final year you join one of our research teams to carry out an individual research project.
Courses are assessed by a mixture of coursework, dissertations and annual exams. If your programme includes a sandwich year, this also contributes to the overall assessment of your degree.
What will I achieve?
- The knowledge, professional expertise and laboratory skills needed to develop real insight into the phenomenal progress of biological and biomedical sciences.
- First-hand experience of research.
- An understanding of how to learn: especially important in fields such as this, where progress is so rapid.
- Skills in communication, teamwork, numeracy and information technology.
Kemi’s perspective
‘Studying biochemistry at Sussex has been an exciting as well as challenging experience for me. I chose biochemistry because I’m very much interested in the molecular basis of life.
‘There’s a wide variety of courses on offer such as Cell Regulation and Cancer, which I found particularly interesting as it deals with the signalling pathways involved in the formation of cancer. Other courses deal with diseases and the roles of the immune system.
‘I’ve really enjoyed working in the lab doing my final-year project as I have gained a lot of new scientific skills, which have helped improve my employment prospects. Also, it’s been very useful having such encouraging tutors and supervisors who are always willing to help out to ensure that I’ve got the best out of my degree.’