Course contact details
University of Leeds
Email:study@leeds.ac.uk
University of Leeds
Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 9JT
Course summary
Many devastating diseases, such as cancer, are caused by just a few atoms being out of place inside your cells. Biochemistry aims to understand how living things work at the atomic level. This knowledge drives the most exciting developments in biomedical research, from the development of new drugs to treat neurodegenerative disorders to cancer therapies and coronavirus vaccines.
How are genes encoded in DNA and how do cells use this information to produce proteins? How do proteins fold into 3D structures? How does protein misfolding cause devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s? How do mutations cause inherited disorders and cancer? How do viruses infect and replicate inside cells? On this course, taught by leading research experts, you’ll explore these questions and many others. You’ll understand the molecular basis of health and disease and how biochemists lead the way in therapeutic development.
Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary subject at the boundary between biology and the physical sciences. As such, you’ll gain a unique knowledge base and skill set from your degree. This will make you highly sought after by a wide range of top employers within the biological/biomedical research sector and beyond.
This 3-year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training, subject to suitable academic performance and availability. You would study advanced research topics and undertake your own extended research project.
Why study at Leeds
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Study with one of the largest centres for biological sciences research in the UK, with access to cutting- edge facilities, industry links and specialist research opportunities.
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Flexible options to transfer onto other suitable and related degrees at the end of year 1, as many programmes within our School share a common first year.
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Put theory into practice by undertaking fieldwork activities within the UK, Spain and South Africa. You’ll advance your research skills and gain hands-on experience highly valued by employers in industry or in postgraduate education.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 4 Years
Start dates
Application codes
- Institution code:
- L23
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Leeds 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:
- L23
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsEntry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelAAB
BSc: AAB
Including chemistry and another science subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded.
We accept the following:
• Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.
When an applicant is taking any of the following:
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ)
Core Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
AS Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
It will be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be a 1 grade drop from the standard offer. For example an A in one of the above qualifications with ABB at A-level (BSc applicants).
GCSE: Grade 6 (B) or above at GCSE maths and Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE English. The Faculty of Biological Sciences will accept Level 2 Functional Skills as equivalent to C/4 in GCSE English.
Including chemistry and another science subject. Critical thinking and general studies excluded.
We accept the following:
• Science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.
When an applicant is taking any of the following:
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ)
Core Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
AS Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
It will be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be a 1 grade drop from the standard offer. For example an A in one of the above qualifications with ABB at A-level (BSc applicants).
GCSE: Grade 6 (B) or above at GCSE maths and Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE English. The Faculty of Biological Sciences will accept Level 2 Functional Skills as equivalent to C/4 in GCSE English.
T LevelNot accepted
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish Higher
Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AB in 2 Advanced Highers including chemistry and another science. General studies and critical thinking excluded.
We accept the following science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.
Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.
We accept the following science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.
Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.
Access to HE Diploma
Overall pass with 60 credits and a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, with distinctions in at least 30 graded level 3 graded at D39M6P0 including biology and chemistry units (15 units in each), and a merit in all the remaining graded credits.
We accept Access courses in Applied Science. We will also consider (depending on subject content:)
• biochemical sciences
• biological and environmental science
• biological and health science
• biological sciences
• biosciences
• combined sciences
• environmental science
• life and biological science
• life science
• medical and health science professions
• natural sciences
• physical & natural sciences.
We accept Access courses in Applied Science. We will also consider (depending on subject content:)
• biochemical sciences
• biological and environmental science
• biological and health science
• biological sciences
• biosciences
• combined sciences
• environmental science
• life and biological science
• life science
• medical and health science professions
• natural sciences
• physical & natural sciences.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Advanced Higher: 5 x Highers AABBB, with AB in 2 Advanced Highers including chemistry and another science. General studies and critical thinking excluded.
We accept the following science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.
Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.
We accept the following science subjects: biology, human biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics.
Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.
Extended Project
Applicants offering an EPQ or IPQ qualification will receive a standard offer, as shown above, plus an alternative offer. The alternative offer would be ABB plus grade A in EPQ / IPQ. Subject-specific requirements are still valid.
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 31
31 overall with 6,6,5 at higher level including Chemistry and another science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DDM
BTEC Extended Diploma entry requirements: DDM plus A/B in A-level Chemistry. The preferred BTEC qualification subject is Applied Science (other subjects may be accepted).
BTEC diploma entry requirements: DD plus A/B in A-level Chemistry. The preferred BTEC qualification subject is Applied Science (other subjects may be accepted).
Applicants with BTEC Extended Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must normally have at least 2 A-levels and at least one of these should be Chemistry (plus another science or science-related subject depending on the BTEC subject).
BTEC diploma entry requirements: DD plus A/B in A-level Chemistry. The preferred BTEC qualification subject is Applied Science (other subjects may be accepted).
Applicants with BTEC Extended Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must normally have at least 2 A-levels and at least one of these should be Chemistry (plus another science or science-related subject depending on the BTEC subject).
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)H2H2H2H2H3H3
H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including H2 chemistry and another science at higher level.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)Not accepted
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - PrincipalD3D3M1
D3/D3/M1 including chemistry plus one other science subject. Global Perspectives excluded.
When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives.
When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives.
For the most up-to-date information on entry requirements please visit www.leeds.ac.uk/courses
Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Successful completion of Year 1 of a relevant degree course with an overall score of at least 65% in addition to the standard year 1 entry requirements below
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. . For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
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.
If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.
If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.
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 further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees
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