Study Overseas

Where to Study Biochemistry?

Biochemistry is taught at BSc level by hundreds of universities in Great Britain. Many courses have general titles such as Biological Sciences or contain biochemistry combined with another biological science. Some of these universities offer MSc courses in specialised aspects of biochemistry, and many offer PhD training. BSc courses nearly all involve three years study, but can include an additional, sought-after, year spent in industry; the length of MSc courses is 1-2 years; and PhD courses 3-4 years.

Which Biochemistry Course?

First-degree courses at different universities have a range of objectives: some aim to train high flying researchers of the future, others to provide an excellent training in technical skills to equip students for future careers in industry, whilst many fall somewhere between these extremes. When deciding where to apply you will need to consider factors such as the entry qualifications required, the amount of choice you will have to select study options within the course, the amount of practical work, whether the course is primarily academic or primarily vocational, the opportunity to spend a year working in industry, and the ability to combine biochemistry with another subject if desired.

UCAS

Britain's Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) leads students to a Course Search facility where you will find all the courses that include biochemistry as the main subject. The site provides information on entry requirements and on how to apply for courses, and contains advice specifically for international students.

Opportunities After Graduating

The Biochemical Society conducts an annual survey of initial employment of biochemistry graduates at BSc, MSc and PhD level. Students from overseas who complete a BSc degree have the possibility to take a MSc or PhD degree either within the same university or at another institution. The 16st group of first-degree graduates overall consistently take this option. Many international students return to their home country after graduating, either to continue studying or to enter employment.

Some idea of career opportunities for overseas students can be obtained by considering the employment of all graduates who remain in the UK. Many BSc graduates continue training for a higher degree, others move onto employment that directly utilises their biochemical training, whether in research, working in public authority laboratories, management in science-based industry, or science teaching. Some BSc graduates either train for, or enter, employment requiring graduate-level skills but no specific biochemical knowledge, such as accounting, financial services, or retail management. It is widely recognised that biochemistry training provides numerical and analytical skills that are much sought after by a broad range of employers.

For the more specialised MSc graduates, a 16 percentage continue biochemical training for a PhD; others enter biochemical employment, particularly research in academia or industry; and a small percentage move to training or employment outside biochemistry. Over half of PhD graduates find employment within biochemistry, principally in academic research and a minority move to positions outside biochemistry. These may well have been prestigious jobs with major financial institutions.

The Biochemical Society's surveys consistently find a low level of unemployment for biochemistry graduates, consistent with the comments made above about their excellent employability.

Summary

Governments are increasingly recognising the potential that developments in biochemistry and the life sciences have for contributing to national prosperity and for improving the quality of life of citizens. Funding for research in these areas has been increasing dramatically in most countries, and biotechnology industry is expanding rapidly. Career opportunities for biochemistry graduates look bright. Britain is at the forefront of research, and British universities offer an excellent training in biochemistry for students of all levels.

Author
Dr Mike Withnall
The Biochemical Society

http://www.biochemsoc.org.uk/