Explore biochemistry at Nottingham
Stephen Gray (Assistant Professor) and Scarlett Wilson (biochemistry student) discuss biochemistry at the University of Nottingham and career paths for biochemistry graduates.
If you’re fascinated by how life works at the molecular level, our BSc Biochemistry degree offers an exciting, flexible and career-focused route into this dynamic field.
Assistant Professor Stephen Gray, a specialist in genome dynamics, and Scarlett, a current fourth-year Biochemistry student, discuss the course, facilities and the wide range of opportunities available to biochemistry graduates.
For Stephen, the journey into biochemistry was driven by personal motivation – a desire to understand diseases like cancer at the molecular level. Scarlett’s passion for biology and chemistry combined with an interest in immunology and neurodegeneration and led her to Nottingham’s programme, which allows students to explore their interests in depth.
Biochemistry is at the forefront of cutting-edge science, with developments in areas like gene editing, drug discovery and synthetic biology. Our curriculum reflects this progress, helping students understand not just the fundamental science, but also how it translates to tackling real-world health challenges.
Assistant Professor Stephen Gray and biochemistry student Scarlett talk about biochemistry at the University of Nottingham.
Course structure
One of the standout features of our biochemistry degree is its flexibility:
- Core modules give you a solid grounding in molecular biology, genetics and cellular processes
- Optional modules in later years allow you to specialise in areas like cancer biology, immunology, genetic engineering or neurological diseases
- Final-year projects provide hands-on experience in laboratory research, often within the Queen’s Medical Centre and hospital-linked facilities
Scarlett shared how her studies into the biochemistry of cancer and her practical lab projects inspired her ambition to pursue a PhD – a path well-supported by the degree structure.
Career prospects
A biochemistry degree opens a variety of career pathways:
- Biomedical and biochemical research
- Clinical roles via NHS scientist training programmes
- Lab technician roles
- Further study including PhDs
- Careers in patent law, scientific writing and journal editing
- Emerging fields like bioinformatics
Stephen emphasises the broad applicability of the skills gained, making graduates well-prepared for both specialised science careers and roles requiring analytical and critical thinking.
Find out more about our biochemistry courses including module information, graduate outcomes and entry requirements.
