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Medical Biochemistry

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

All living things function and operate as a result of chemical processes. Medical Biochemistry at Royal Holloway, University of London helps to provide an understanding of these essential chemical processes, exploring the molecular basis of disease.

Pursue your passion for Medical Biochemistry at Royal Holloway and work towards joining the ranks of scientists striving to develop new methods of disease prevention and treatment.

You’ll study in our state-of-the-art School of Biological Sciences, featuring cutting-edge technology including mass spectrometry, bioinformatics and gene and protein sequencing equipment.

The flexible degree programme lets you tailor your learning in years 2 and 3, selecting from a variety of optional courses ranging from Microbiology to Pharmacology and Toxicology and Biology of Parasitic Diseases to Molecular and Medical Microbiology.

Learn how to make clinical diagnoses of diseases in a course taught by health professionals from local hospitals, and become a part of our renowned research culture in your year 3 lab-based independent research project. Many of our former students have contributed to published scientific papers.

The skills and experience you’ll gain as a Medical Biochemistry student will make you a highly attractive candidate to employers in a variety of sectors. You’ll gain laboratory experience across all three years and receive a grounding in physiology, genetics and microbiology as well as biochemistry for medicine. Our alumni have gone on to careers in fields including forensic medicine, biotechnology and medical research.

Gain Laboratory experience across all three years of study

Learn how to make clinical diagnosis of diseases from health professionals from local hospitals

Understand the importance of biochemistry in medicine

Develop your knowledge of fundamental biochemistry, physiology, cell biology and genetics

Join a close-knit and supportive learning community with a high staff-to-student ratio.

Modules

Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/biological-sciences/medical-biochemistry.aspx

Assessment method

Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Royal Society of Biology

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 22/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
C741
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 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:
C741
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff

Not accepted

A level

BBB - BBC
Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants. Required subjects: Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics. A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma

D: 24 credits M: 21 credits
Pass Access to Science HE Diploma with at least 24 level 3 credits at Distinction, including all Biology and Chemistry units at Distinction and the remaining level 3 credits at Merit. Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education.

Scottish Higher

BBBBB
Subjects to include Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DM
Distinction, Merit in Applied Science and grade B in A-level Chemistry or A-level Biology. A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D
Plus grades BB in A-level Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics. A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.

Scottish Advanced Higher

BBB - BBC
Subjects to include Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

30 points
5,5,5 at Higher Level including Higher Level Biology and a Higher Level in either Chemistry, Maths or Physics, with a minimum of 32 points overall.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
Subjects to include Biology plus another science from either Chemistry, Maths or Physics.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.

T Level

M
T-Level should be in a Science Pathway with Merit achieved overall, Merit in the occupation specialism and B in the Core Component.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on study@royalholloway.ac.uk to discuss your situation

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.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website

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 enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£28900Year 1
International£28900Year 1
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1

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

The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £9,535.

This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.

These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.

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