University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
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Course contact details
Admissions Enquiries
Email:contactus@dundee.ac.uk
Phone:01382 383838
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Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery (with a year in industry)
- BSc (Hons)
- 5 Years
- Sandwich
- 21/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Drug discovery and biological chemistry integrate chemistry, pharmacology and biology and use techniques from molecular and chemical biology to find new treatments for diseases.
At Dundee, our Drug Discovery Unit bridges lab-focused academic research and industry-scale drug development to create new drugs to fight infections and other diseases. Expertise from this fast-moving field has shaped this course.
The degree starts with a broad range of life sciences topics at Levels 1 and 2. You’ll then focus on biological chemistry and drug discovery at Levels 3 and 4, spending a year between these levels of study working in a related industry - for example in a commercial lab.
Your first two years of study will explore core concepts like genetics, cell biology, biological organisation, molecular mechanisms and processes. You will develop practical skills, including laboratory skills, data analysis, and experiment design. This will prepare you for working on projects at Levels 3 and 4.
Our course curriculum is shaped by the work of our world-leading researchers to make sure you’re learning the latest advances, as well as gaining an understanding of the fundamentals of the field.
Throughout your degree, you can pick modules that interest you and possibly transfer on to one of our other courses if you choose the relevant modules.
Laboratory sessions throughout your degree will help you integrate knowledge and practical skills, as well as develop strong transferable skills, both in and out of the lab.
Modules
<a href="https://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/biological-chemistry-drug-discovery-industry/teaching-and-assessment">Modules can be viewed on the course webpage at dundee.ac.uk</a>
Assessment method
<a href="https://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/biological-chemistry-drug-discovery-industry/teaching-and-assessment">Assessment methods can be viewed on the course webpage at dundee.ac.uk</a>
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Royal Society of Biology
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F154
- Institution code:
- D65
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
https://www.dundee.ac.uk/undergraduate/biological-chemistry-drug-discovery-industry/entry-requirements
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - CCC
Including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
A relevant BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with MMM. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C
Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 15 credits P: 15 credits
Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE C/4
Scottish Higher - BBCC
including Higher Biology or Chemistry. Plus National 5 Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at C.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
28 points with 5,5,4 at Higher Level to include Biology or Chemistry. Plus Standard Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at 4.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3
including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Ordinary Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at grade 3
Scottish HNC - Pass
A relevant HNC with B in the Graded Unit and appropriate science units, plus National 5 Maths at C or equivalent
Scottish HND - Pass
A relevant HND with BB in the Graded Units and appropriate science units, plus National 5 Maths at C or equivalent
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
A level - CCD
Including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP
A relevant BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma with MMP. Plus Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at GCSE 4/C
Scottish Higher - BCCC
including Higher Biology or Chemistry. Plus National 5 Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at C.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points
26 points with 5,4,4 at Higher Level to include Biology or Chemistry. Plus Standard Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at 4
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4
including Biology or Chemistry. Plus Ordinary Level Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at grade 3
English language requirements
You can find details of our specific IELTS English language requirements and other accepted English language qualifications on the individual course webpages on the University website.
English language tests should be no more than two years old on the start date of your chosen course. All results will be verified online.
General guidance for our accepted English language qualifications https://www.dundee.ac.uk/guides/english-language-requirements
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.
Achieving a strong set of qualifications is key to earning a place at the University. We understand grades are influenced by things outside your control, such as the impact of deprivation where you live. That’s why each year we look at each student's application in detail including circumstances outside of your control that may have impacted your potential.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for University of Dundee - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| EU | £28200 | Year 1 |
| International | £28200 | Year 1 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
Tuition fees shown for Scottish students are for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year. The fees for 2026/27 have not yet been confirmed and we expect confirmation of these in March 2026.
Please note: From 2026/27, the UK Government has indicated that universities may be permitted to increase tuition fees annually in line with inflation. Any tuition fee increase will follow the process and terms set out in the University’s Student Terms and Conditions www.dundee.ac.uk/corporate-information/student-terms-and-conditions and will be communicated to you in advance.
Tuition fees for International students will increase by no more than either of the below, whichever is higher at September of the relevant academic year:
- a 5% increase on the previous year's tuition fee for year programme of study
- an increase in accordance with the Consumer Prices Index
If you choose to take this course with a year in Industry, the fees for the Year in Industry are,
Scotland : £910
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland : £1,850
International : 20% of the standard annual tuition fee for the academic year you complete your placement.
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