Medical Biochemistry with Industrial Experience: The University of Manchester

Course description

These degree courses include a year spent in a professional setting. This setting is usually an industrial or international research organisation, undertaking pure or applied research and development.

These programmes are aimed towards biochemists that are considering a career in research into the biochemical basis of disease and therapeutic medicine. This area is very promising in terms of career development, because many pharmaceutical and health care companies require well-trained medical biochemists.

The Medical Biochemistry degree course will address the functioning of normal and diseased organisms from a biochemical point of view. Courses will provide you with a fundamental grounding in the principles of biochemistry, such as protein structure and function. As you progress there will be optional courses that show you how biochemistry allows us to understand and treat diseases. Possible subject areas include the molecular biology of cancer, cell cycle control and genetic diseases.

The third year of this four year programme is the placement year, during which students complete a research project in an institution in the UK or abroad. The University assists students in finding placements and currently has established links with approximately three hundred institutions. Medical Biochemistry students have recently had placements with organisations including GlaxoSmithKline, the Medical Research Council and the Mayo Clinic, USA.

Career opportunities

Medical Biochemistry graduates from the University of Manchester go into a variety of careers. About half stay in the life sciences and related disciplines, choosing either to study further research or taught courses such as a Masters or PhD, which could lead onto a career in bioscience, or medicine/dentistry degrees. A significant number go on to complete a science teaching qualification, such as a secondary science PGCE. Graduates from 'with industrial/professional experience' programmes are extremely desirable to employers who require significant relevant work experience.

Those that choose a career outside of the life sciences are highly sought after by large multinationals. Graduate programmes in accountancy, finance, law, marketing and publishing are particularly popular choices for graduates from the Faculty who do not wish to stay in science.

Entry requirements

• English language: Either GCSE grade C, IELTS 6.5 (with not less than 6.5 in any component) or an equivalent qualification.
• A level: Grades AAB-BBB. This should include:
  • Chemistry and
  • 1 of Biology, Physics, Maths, Geography, Psychology, Environmental Studies or PE.
• AS level: 2 AS levels are acceptable in place of the third non-science A-level.
• Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.
• GCSE: Minimum grade C in English Language and Mathematics.
• Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification.
• International Baccalaureate: 35-32 points overall including 5 or 6 points in Chemistry and one other science at Higher level.