Biochemistry with Foundation Year

Biochemistry is the chemistry of life. It studies the molecules that make up living organisms, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, and the chemical processes through which those molecules are made, used, transformed, and broken down. Understanding these processes is fundamental to biology and medicine: most of what goes on inside cells, from gene expression and protein synthesis to metabolism and cell signalling, is biochemistry.

The discipline sits at the boundary of chemistry and biology and is central to advances in medicine, biotechnology, and our understanding of life itself.

At the University of Salford, this part-time programme offers a pathway into biochemistry for students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for the full honours degree, beginning with a foundation year that provides a supported entry into degree-level science. Students who successfully complete the foundation year progress automatically onto the BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, where they continue to build specialised knowledge of the chemical processes underpinning living organisms. The part-time structure makes the degree accessible to students who need to balance their studies with other commitments, extending the time available to engage deeply with demanding scientific content.

You will develop both theoretical understanding and practical laboratory skills, learning to design and carry out biochemical experiments and to interpret the results.

Biochemistry graduates are sought across a wide range of sectors. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are the most direct destinations, employing graduates in research and development, quality control, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing. Medical research, food science, environmental science, and clinical laboratories also offer opportunities.

Many graduates pursue postgraduate study, including PhDs in biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and related fields, or conversion programmes into healthcare professions such as medicine and pharmacy. The scientific rigour and laboratory skills developed during the degree are also valued in science communication, education, and science policy.