Course contact details
University of Oxford
University Offices
Wellington Square
Oxford
OX1 2JD
Course summary
Biochemistry is the use of molecular methods to investigate, explain and manipulate biological processes. The study of life at the molecular level continues to undergo dynamic expansion, leading to ever-increasing insights into topics as various as the origin of life, the nature of disease and the development of individual organisms. Powerful new techniques, such as those of molecular genetics and NMR spectroscopy, enable us to analyse biological phenomena in more and more precise molecular terms. These studies have led to valuable developments in drug design and synthesis, forensic science, environmental monitoring and a whole range of other areas. Furthermore, advances in biochemistry are largely responsible for the breakdown of traditional disciplinary boundaries between cell biology, medicine, physics and chemistry. For more information on this course please visit ox.ac.uk/ugbiochem.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Exeter
- University
- Lady Margaret Hall
- Hertford
- St Anne's
- Christ Church
- St John's
- Pembroke
- Worcester
- St Catherine's
- Merton
- Somerville
- St Peter's
- Magdalen
- St Hugh's
- Brasenose
- Oriel
- Trinity
- St Hilda's
- Lincoln
- Queen's
- Wadham
- Corpus Christi
- New College
- St Edmund Hall
- Open Application
Study options
- Master of Biochemistry • Full-Time • 4 Years
Start dates
Application codes
- Institution code:
- O33
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Oxford has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Application codes
- Institution code:
- O33
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsEntry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelA*AA
Including Chemistry and one other science or Maths, with A* in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or a closely related subject.
Excluding General Studies (if taken)
Excluding General Studies (if taken)
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HigherAAAAB-AAAAA
Supplemented by two or more Advanced Highers.
Access to HE DiplomaDistinction: 45
Some Access courses allow students to take one or two A-levels as part of the course. This option is strongly recommended for students who wish to apply to Oxford, especially for those courses which have specific subject requirements. If you would like to discuss the suitability of your Access course for entry to Oxford University, please contact the subject department that you’d like to apply to for further information. (Contact details are at ox.ac.uk/courses)
Scottish Advanced HigherAA-AAB
Including Chemistry and one other science or Maths.
Conditional offers will usually be for AAB if a student is able to take three Advanced Highers; where this is not possible then a student would be expected to achieve AA in two Advanced Highers, as well as an A grade in an additional Higher course taken in Year 6.
Conditional offers will usually be for AAB if a student is able to take three Advanced Highers; where this is not possible then a student would be expected to achieve AA in two Advanced Highers, as well as an A grade in an additional Higher course taken in Year 6.
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 39
With 7 in HL Chemistry and 6 in two other relevant subjects at HL or SL.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)D*D*D*-DDD
Conditional offers would usually be:
Extended Diploma with D*D*D to DDD, depending on the course.
Diploma with DD plus an A grade at A-level, possibly with one or two * grades, depending on the course.
Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A grades at A-level, possibly with one or two * grades, depending on the course.
Extended Diploma with D*D*D to DDD, depending on the course.
Diploma with DD plus an A grade at A-level, possibly with one or two * grades, depending on the course.
Subsidiary Diploma with D plus two A grades at A-level, possibly with one or two * grades, depending on the course.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)H1H1H2H2H2H2
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - PrincipalD2D3D3
Pre-U subject requirements are the same as those for A-levels.
Candidates are expected to have Chemistry to A-level, Advanced Higher, Higher Level in the IB or any other equivalent, plus another science or Mathematics. Mathematics to A-level or the equivalent is recommended to students in completing the course and, although not required for admission, may make an application more competitive. We expect you to have taken and passed any practical component in your chosen science subjects. Biology beyond GCSE or the equivalent (eg AS-level, Scottish Highers, Standard Level in the IB) can be helpful to students in completing the course, although is not required for admission.
A range of other international qualifications is also acceptable for entry. Please see ox.ac.uk/intquals for further information.
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7.5 | Minimum 7.0 per component |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 110 | Minimum component scores: Listening: 22 Reading: 24 Speaking: 25 Writing: 24 |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Overall score of 191 or above, with at least 185 in each component | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Overall score of 191 or above, with at least 185 in each component |
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
Oxford uses a range of evidence about applicants’ academic performance and potential, including personal statements, references, admissions tests (depending on the chosen course), and interview performance (for those shortlisted).
In some subjects, candidates are required to achieve A or A* grades in certain subjects.
A very small number of students are admitted to Oxford who don’t meet their offer conditions in non-essential subjects, and this is often as a result of exceptional circumstances.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.
Course optionsHistorical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
For details on fee information, please visit ox.ac.uk/funding.
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