How to become Biochemist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- working towards this role
- specialist training with the NHS
University
You'll usually need a relevant science degree, like:
- biochemistry
- biotechnology
- biopharmaceuticals
- chemical and molecular biology
- microbiology genetics
- molecular biology
If you do not meet the entry requirements for one of these subjects, you may be able to do a foundation year.
Postgraduate courses
For some jobs you may also need a postgraduate qualification like a master's degree or PhD.
Some degree courses include an integrated master's qualification like MBiolSci, MBiochem or MSci. You'll usually have more time for independent research and they're designed to lead directly onto further postgraduate study like a PhD.
Laboratory experience
It's important to get experience of working in a laboratory during your degree course.
You can do this through a:
- placement
- internship
- year in industry scheme
- Summer Vacation Studentship
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
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Work
You could start out as a laboratory technician and study on the job for a degree.
Other Routes
You could train to be a clinical biochemist in the NHS through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).
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Professional and industry bodies
You can demonstrate your professional status and keep your knowledge up to date by joining a professional body like the:
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a biochemist from the: