Biochemistry (Placement Year) BSc Hons

Biochemistry examines the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular level. It is an exciting and rapidly developing subject and the primary investigative science within biology and medicine.

The BSc Biochemistry (Placement Year) includes core modules in biochemistry and chemistry combined with a solid background in related fields. Lancaster University is ranked fifth in the UK for biological sciences and 12th for chemistry by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

This four-year degree is ideal if you wish to gain work experience as part of your biochemistry degree. It provides you with support to secure a paid placement for twelve months working in the type of organisation that you might aspire to join when you graduate. The placement offers you the opportunity to work as a full time employee of the organisation with the same training and opportunities as other employees, whilst still receiving both academic and pastoral support from Lancaster University.

To prepare students for their work placement year, our Careers and Placements Team will provide advice and guidance on: the skills required to create effective CVs, cover letters and applications; tips and techniques on how to make an impact at interviews and assessment centres; how to create a relevant digital profile; and how to research employers and career sectors of interest. In addition, there is great emphasis placed upon developing self-awareness and on how to present yourself in a professional manner to employers. This optional provision will be delivered via a blend of traditional and digital methods including face-to-face workshops, online webinars, e-courses and 1:1 appointments. 

Although you will be supported by professional careers staff in preparing your industrial placement application, due to the competitive nature of these placements it is possible that not all students will be successful in securing these nationally-advertised opportunities. Students who have not secured an industrial placement will automatically be transferred over to the degree without the placement year - the BSc Biochemistry.

In the first year, you will study core modules such as Protein Biochemistry, Cell Structure and Function, and Genetics – all designed to give you a good overview of key modern biochemical concepts.

In your second year, you’ll focus on a range of biochemistry modules, including Cell Biology and Medical Microbiology, as well as some more practically oriented modules designed to equip you with the laboratory skills and knowledge required by a successful biochemist.

You will spend your third year on an industrial placement, which may be science or non-science based.

Returning to Lancaster University, you will have the flexibility to tailor your fourth year to your biochemical interests and can select from a diverse range of subjects including Cell Signalling, Cancer, Biology of Ageing, and Neurobiology. During your degree, you’ll conduct your own laboratory-based project and benefit from the research experience of our internationally renowned academics.

The facilities for studying biochemistry at Lancaster University are excellent. We have invested over £4 million in new life science teaching laboratories which you will use for practical learning and your dissertation project. Around 50% of the contact time on the degree is used for practical and workshop activities in the laboratory or in PC labs.