Medical Biochemistry with a Foundation Year

At the heart of modern medicine, Medical Biochemistry is crucial to the way we understand the causes and effects of disease and how new treatments are developed.

Medical Biochemistry at Swansea University successfully bridges medicine and science, ensuring you develop the core knowledge, practical and employability skills needed to work at the highest levels of science, medicine, pharmaceutical and biomedical science industries.

You will gain fundamental knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and immunology, whilst developing a deep understanding of the biochemical function of living organisms, as you study the chemical processes that occur and study cell function at sub-cellular and molecular levels.

Throughout the programme, you will gain excellent analytical and project management skills as you learn how to design experiments and plan work programmes.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence, and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BSc.

This programme is also available as a 4-year MSci, which is an advanced undergraduate degree, adding a further research-focused year to your degree. Our MSci leads to a master’s level qualification, in addition to your undergraduate degree, giving you expert scientific training and a springboard towards a range of specialist careers.

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, Swansea University’s Medical School is home to state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities.

Your will benefit from access to our cutting-edge facilities, such as:
• HPLC
• Gas Chromatography
• Mass Spectrometry
• DNA and protein analytical equipment
• Computer-based image analysers for molecular or cellular studies
Medical Biochemistry at Swansea is ranked:
• 9th in the UK for Career Prospects (Guardian University Guide 2026)*
• 11th in the UK for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2026)**

As one of our Pathways to Medicine courses, provided you meet the minimum entry requirements for Graduate Entry Medicine, and have successfully completed the pathway, you will be guaranteed an interview for our flagship Medicine (Graduate Entry) MBBCh course.

Assessed under Biomedical Science
*Assessed under Biological Sciences

In Year 0, you will typically study areas including: Foundation Biological Chemistry, Metabolism and Homeostasis, The Human Cell, Foundation Skills Development, Introduction to Molecular Biology, Fundamentals of Microbiology & Disease and Organic Chemistry

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Genetics, Genomics and Evolution, Biochemistry, Organic and Analytical Chemistry: an Introduction for Life Sciences, Human Physiology, Skills for Medical Sciences and Cell Biology.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Metabolic Regulation: Enzymes & Signal Transduction, Techniques in Molecular Biology, Clinical Biochemistry & Physiology, Advanced Metabolism, Skills for Researchers, Biostatistics, Human Immunology, Introduction to Neuroscience, Human and Medical Genetics, Microbial Molecular Genetics.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Membranes and Energy Transduction, Practical Quantitative Research, Nucleic Acids: Components, Metabolism and Modification, Animal Development, Membrane Trafficking, Advanced Biostatistics, Human Immunopathology, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Advanced Research Topics in Biochemistry, Bioinformatics: From Sequence to Function.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, laboratory classes and independent projects

Assessment will take place through a variet of differenr methods including examinations, coursework, laboratory practicals and presentations.

In your final year you will undertake an independent research project, potentially contributing to scientific research at the school, under the guidance of professional research scientists.