Course summary

Foundation courses A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. It’s a great option if: You don’t have the grades for a full degree course You have non-traditional qualifications or experience You’re starting university after some time away from education You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study. Life as a foundation year student During a foundation year you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course. As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support. Why choose this course -Explore the fundamental processes of life at a cellular level, from simple existence to the coordination of billions of living cells, finding the answers to everyday questions like ‘Why do we feel ill after getting a Covid jab?’ -Delve into advanced technologies in gene expression, immunology, human genetics, mechanistic toxicology and pharmacokinetics, neuroscience, pharmacology, systems biology and more. -Play a crucial role in the development of new treatments for a range of diseases, including cancer, studying the chemical and physical principles of living things and biological processes. -Learn from research-active biochemists who have expertise in ageing, genetic engineering, immunology, pharmacology, plasticity, sleep, toxicology and more. -Complete an integrated masters and a laboratory-based dissertation, exploring topics like antibody class switching in B cells and neurodegenerative diseases, in preparation for a technical research career in industry or academia. -Study among highly satisfied students, as we have 96% overall satisfaction for biochemistry in the National Student Survey 2022. What you will study Biochemistry is at the heart of life and the explanation of all life processes. Both health and disease and ageing and development are complex biochemical processes. By understanding more about these, we can generate more effective ways to help humanity. During your first two years, you’ll develop a broad understanding of biochemistry, its methodology and some of its most intriguing applications. You’ll get to choose optional modules in bacteriology, biodiversity, neuroscience and virology. In your third year, you’ll select five optional modules, exploring topics such as genetics, immunology, pharmacology, systems biology and toxicology. You’ll also complete a research project, bringing together all the practical, analytical and presentation skills you’ve developed. Previous students have had their work published in top-tier journals, including the European Journal of Neuroscience, the Journal of Virology and Sleep.