Studies & Degrees in Biochemistry
Biochemistry Study Programs
Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of life. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics sums up the field as the study of the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes, such as cell development, growth, heredity and disease. Biochemists isolate, analyse and synthesise proteins, fats, DNA and other molecules, and study how drugs, hormones and nutrients act on tissues.
The subject sits between chemistry and biology. Students first build a base in general and organic chemistry, mathematics, physics and cell biology. They then move on to the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, metabolism, enzymes, genetics and molecular biology, with a growing share of bioinformatics and data analysis. Laboratory work is central from the start: the University of Sussex, for example, puts its students in the laboratory from the first year.
Qualifications and levels
The structure of the degree depends on the country.
- Spain. An official bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits under Royal Decree 822/2021, which means four years. The Grado en Bioquímica of the Universidad de Murcia, taught at its Faculty of Chemistry, and that of the Universidad de Navarra, in Pamplona, both follow this pattern. An official master's degree adds 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.
- United Kingdom. A BSc normally takes three years. At the University of Sussex the Biochemistry BSc takes three years, or four with an industrial placement, and the Biochemistry MSci, with an integrated master's year, takes four years.
- United States. Biochemistry is a four-year major leading to a Bachelor of Science, often shared between the chemistry and biology departments. At DeSales University, for example, the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology has 128 credit hours and an average time to degree of four years.
- Doctorate. Research careers require a PhD. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, biochemists need a PhD to work in independent research and development, and many PhD holders start in temporary postdoctoral positions.
Some universities combine the subject with a neighbouring one. The Universidad de Navarra offers a double degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry, and many departments pair biochemistry with molecular biology.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists 167 active schools for biochemistry. Most are in the United States (90), followed by Spain (19), the United Kingdom (14), Germany (5), Argentina (4) and Ireland (3). The list also includes schools in India, Brazil, Australia, Ghana, Switzerland and Canada.
The language of instruction follows the country. In Spain the degree is taught mainly in Spanish: the Universidad de Murcia gives Spanish as the language of its degree. The Universidad de Navarra teaches in Spanish and English, and its International Science Program allows students to take the whole first year, the optional subjects and the final degree project in English.
Admission requirements centre on school science. Sussex typically asks for A-levels at ABB-BBB, including Biology and Chemistry. When comparing programmes, look at the number of laboratory hours, the chance to do a research project or a placement, and whether the degree leans towards chemistry, biomedicine or biotechnology.
Careers
Biochemistry graduates work in research laboratories, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, clinical and food analysis, and teaching. The Universidad de Navarra names research companies in biomedicine and biotechnology, health companies working in clinical analysis, microbiology and immunology, and the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries. In the United States the degree is also a common route to graduate study in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, as DeSales University notes.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of biochemists and biophysicists to grow 12 percent from 2025 to 2035. The largest employers in 2025 were scientific research and development services (61 percent) and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing (17 percent). Holders of a bachelor's or master's degree qualify for some entry-level positions; independent research requires a doctorate.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a biochemistry degree take?
Four years in Spain (240 ECTS credits) and in the United States, and normally three years for a BSc in the United Kingdom, or four with a placement year or an integrated master's year.
What is the difference between biochemistry and biotechnology?
Biochemistry studies the molecules and chemical processes of living organisms. Biotechnology applies that knowledge to make products and processes. The first years of both degrees share many subjects, so compare the study plans.
Do I need a PhD to work as a biochemist?
Not for every job. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, bachelor's and master's graduates qualify for some entry-level positions, but a PhD is needed for independent research and development.
Can I study biochemistry in English in Spain?
Most Spanish degrees are taught in Spanish. Some universities offer part of the degree in English: the Universidad de Navarra, for example, teaches in Spanish and English. Ask each university which subjects are available in English.