Biological Sciences at UEA
Find out more about studying Biological Sciences at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBSc (Hons) Biochemistry with a Foundation Year
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- 8C70
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Start Dates
Other Start Dates
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Why you should choose us
17th
UEA is ranked 17th overall for research quality in Biological Science
The Times Higher Education REF 2021 Analysis100%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
Begin your journey into the science of life with the Biochemistry foundation year degree at UEA. Designed for students who want to study biochemistry but need extra preparation, this course gives you the skills and knowledge to progress to a full degree. After successfully completing your foundation year, you’ll move on to a BSc Biochemistry or a related course, with options for study abroad or a placement year depending on your chosen path.
Taught by experts from the Schools of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, you’ll study alongside students from across the Faculty of Science. Your academic adviser will support you throughout the year to help you confidently progress onto your chosen degree.
You’ll explore life at the molecular level – from atoms and molecules to cells and organisms – and learn about the chemical and biological processes that shape life on Earth. A third of your foundation year will focus on chemistry, covering topics such as atomic structure, organic chemistry, and analytical techniques. The remaining two-thirds will include biology, skills for scientists, and either maths or physics, depending on your background and future goals.
UEA’s strong research environment, including partnerships with the Norwich Research Park, means you’ll be learning in a place where groundbreaking science is happening every day. Throughout the course, you’ll engage with real-world scientific topics like ageing, infectious diseases, and biotechnology. You’ll develop essential academic and research skills, such as critical thinking and evaluating scientific evidence, and have opportunities to attend guest lectures by leading scientists.
This course is the perfect starting point if you’re excited by science and want to build a strong foundation for a future in biochemistry.
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Accreditations
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Study and Modules
Structure
In the Biochemistry with a Foundation Year, you’ll study the core subjects fundamental to the science of life. Jointly taught across the Schools of Chemistry and Biology, one third of your foundation year programme will be spent studying chemistry, taking you from the structure of the atom to the foundations of organic chemistry and the basics for the chemistry of life. You’ll learn how to characterise and analyse chemical compounds and their mixtures, essential skills for your degree in biochemistry.
The remaining two-thirds of your foundation year will be comprised of biology, skills for scientists, mathematics or physics. The exact makeup of subjects will be based on your previous studies and your intended future course.
Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, you’ll progress on to one of the main degree programmes within the School of Biological Sciences.
For the years of study beyond the foundation year, please see the full BSc Biochemistry course.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Taught by leading academics from across our Faculty of Science, this course will develop your academic skills through a combination of lectures, workshops and laboratory-based practicals.
The lectures will provide you with the fundamentals of scientific knowledge, which you’ll develop further through other taught and practical sessions, as well as our complementary online learning resources.
Small group sessions will enable you to further develop your analytical and critical thinking skills, giving you opportunities to put the topics in context and bring science to life.
Independent study
The foundation year programme provides a balance between independent thinking and taught study skills. It'll help you become a self-motivated learner, an expert researcher and an analytical thinker.
Along with formal taught sessions, you’ll undertake research, written assignments, practical work and group tasks. You’ll have access to our state-of-the-art library, and you’ll be given guidance and constructive feedback, to help you improve and develop your skills.
Assessment
Each module will be assessed through a combination of coursework and formal tests throughout the academic year. Feedback will be offered after each assessment, allowing you to improve your work by targeting specific areas.
Employability
After the Course
Once you successfully finish your foundation year, you’ll go straight onto one of the main degree programmes within the School of Biological Sciences.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Biosciences and biotechnology
- Science media and publishing
- Healthcare
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK fee-paying students. Choose UK above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
CCC.
Contextual offer: CDD.
Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMM.
Contextual offer: MMP.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
28 points overall.
Irish Leaving Certificate
6 subjects at H4.
Scottish Highers
BBCCC.
Scottish Advanced Highers
DDD.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Progression from a Foundation Year may also be dependent on meeting the prerequisite module requirements of the course you wish to progress to. Please note subsequent changes to study or course can affect your tuition fee liability and the amount you are required to pay.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs. There are compulsory textbooks for some of the modules on this course, and there will be costs associated with these.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: