University of Hertfordshire Courses & Fees

Essentially, as a biochemist, you study the fundamental processes of life. You’ll merge scientific techniques from chemistry and biology to seek answers to questions about life, health, disease, the natural environment, materials, and compounds. You’ll study the science behind living cells, tissues, organs and organisms. You’ll learn the biochemical processes that underpin the very latest discoveries. Explore how biochemistry affects the quality of people’s lives. You’ll look at the creation of new drugs and understand processes ranging from the design of medical treatments to the manufacture of new biomaterials. 

In your first year, you will gain a solid foundation in topics areas such as physiology, biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology in lectures, seminars, and tutorials. You will use your theory to build on your practical skills in a well-equipped, modern laboratory.  

In your second year you will start to specialise. You will choose from a range of modules from across our Biosciences courses so you can shape your leaning journey.  

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too.

In your final year you will find that you have grown to love certain topics that you just need to delve deeper into. You can select from all modules, whether this be disease, blood or medicine, and focus your major project or dissertation in this area.  

In your first year you’ll gain a solid foundation in topics such as genetics, how drugs work inside our bodies and how viruses and fungi are formed. Your first year is shared with other degrees in biosciences. You may find you enjoy subjects explored further on the Molecular Biology pathway for example. Our shared first year gives you the opportunity to consider your bioscience pathway before committing. We believe in flexibility.

In your second year, you’ll specialise even more. You will study areas of pathology; biochemistry, blood transfusion, cytology, genetics, haematology, histopathology, immunology, and microbiology. Patient case studies allow you to apply theory from each area. You'll analyse the different methods of research on diseases and treatment options. Building your skills as a researcher is developed through our Bioscience Research Methods module.

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the possibility to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too.  

In your final year, you’ll find that you have grown to love certain topics and now you have the chance to delve further. The final year is the chance to bring knowledge of subjects studied together. The final year project shows how you can answer a research question independently working with a member of our subject specialist staff.  

This course gives you a firm foundation in the finance sector. In addition to modules on financial markets, you get a view on the societal and behavioural elements of finance.  

Strengthen your ability to understand and shape numerical data, analyse statistics and information, but importantly how to communicate this effectively. 

Get into the practicalities of the industry and manage your own spreadsheets to form and track a portfolio of your own.  

Assignments include a mix of essays, reports, and presentations, both individually and as part of the team. This prepares you for the world of work.  

As the course progresses, and you develop key areas of interest, choose which routes to take based on your own passions and career plans.  

Develop valuable analytical, qualitative, and predictive skills alongside a solid grounding in economic and financial theory.

Explore modern economics and its application to financial systems and organisations, as you learn about financial markets and economic theory.  

Go beyond theory, with stimulating discussions on traditional and non-conventional economic approaches, and the role finance plays in the health of an economy.

Learn to predict personal finances, organisational and national budgets, discover how every decision matters, from political problems to business operations and our lifestyle choices.  

The finance group has a culture of shared values and aspirations, which is an important aspect of both yours, and our, success in helping you fulfil your potential.