BSc (Hons) Medical Biochemistry at Swansea University

Programme overview

Medical Biochemistry bridges medicine and science, examining the biochemical function of living organisms, cell function at sub-cellular and molecular levels, and the causes of disease and development of new treatments. It builds knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, genetics and immunology and skills in experimental design.

Faculty: Medical School | Department: Medical School (Biochemistry) | Duration: 3 years full-time (4 years with a Foundation Year, Year Abroad or Year in Industry; 5 years with a Foundation Year plus Year Abroad or Year in Industry) | Intake: September 2026 and September 2027 | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 covers Genetics, Genomics and Evolution, Organic and Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences, Introductory Biochemistry, Human Physiology, Cell Biology and Skills for being a Medical Scientist. Year 2 options include Clinical Biochemistry, Human Immunology, Neuroscience and Neurology and Metabolic Regulation, Enzymology and Endocrinology. Final-year compulsory modules include Membrane Trafficking, Practical Quantitative Research, Nucleic Acids and Human Immunopathology, with a Capstone Project.

Career pathways

Graduates enter the medical and life sciences commercial sector (research, sales and marketing for pharmaceutical companies, laboratory technicians), medical and life science research (technician or PhD student), and regulation (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Food Standards Agency), or teaching after further study. The programme is a Pathway to Medicine and a base for graduate entry into Medicine (MB BCh).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A level typical offer AAB-BCC to include A Level Chemistry. BTEC D*DD with A Level Chemistry grade B, or D*DD to include 4 optional Level 3 modules from Chemistry. UK Access: 27 Distinctions, 15 Merits and 3 Passes, of which 15 credits must be from Chemistry courses. T Levels: Distinction in T Level Science (occupational specialism: laboratory sciences). Mixed qualifications: 104-136 UCAS tariff points, to include 40 in Chemistry. International Baccalaureate: 32 to include 6 at Higher Level Chemistry. English language for international applicants: IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each component. With a Foundation Year (4 years): CCC-CCD to include grade C in A Level Chemistry.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time undergraduate tuition fee for Welsh, English and other UK students. International fee is shown on the course page. Source

International applicants: GBP 23,900 a year (2026/27). Year 1 tuition; international fees rise by 3% for each subsequent year of study Source

Intake: September 2026 and September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time (4 years with a Foundation Year, Year Abroad or Year in Industry; 5 years with a F

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