Biochemistry

Biochemistry at the molecular level is the study of the chemical processes that make life possible, examining the structures and functions of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, and investigating how they interact in the extraordinarily complex networks that sustain living cells. It is the discipline that explains how drugs work, why diseases develop at the molecular level, and how biotechnology can harness biological systems to produce medicines, diagnostics, and industrial chemicals. This four-year integrated master's degree at Queen's University of Belfast provides an extended and in-depth formation in the discipline, taking you to a higher level of expertise than a standard three-year BSc.

You will develop an extensive understanding of the concepts and theories of biochemistry, applying chemical principles to problems in metabolism, cell signalling, genetic transmission, drug discovery, and biomedical research. The MSci format means you spend your final year working at a more advanced level of scholarship and research than is possible in a three-year programme, developing the deep expertise that is particularly valuable for those intending to pursue doctoral research or senior roles in the biosciences industry. Queen's strong research environment means you will engage with questions at the frontier of the field.

A typical entry tariff of 152 UCAS points reflects the academic selectivity of the integrated master's programme. Graduates from biochemistry MSci degrees are exceptionally well placed for careers in pharmaceutical research and development, biotechnology and biomedical innovation, clinical laboratory science, academic research, and science policy. Many progress directly to PhD study, using the advanced research skills the integrated master's provides as a foundation for doctoral work in biochemistry, molecular biology, or related disciplines.