Clinical Biochemistry

Entry requirements

We require an honours degree (Upper Second minimum) or overseas equivalent in:

• biochemistry
• biomedical sciences
• physiology
• pharmacology
• pharmacy
• medicine
• other biological subjects that contain elements of biochemistry and/or physiology.

We accept chemistry graduates, but you need to have studied significant elements of biochemistry and/or physiology during your undergraduate degree.

Flexibility on entry requirements will be considered for candidates with proven appropriate professional experience. Under these circumstances, candidates will be considered on an individual basis and may be required to enrol initially on the PGCert track.

This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from the University of Manchester and other UK universities, upon completion of their third year. For St Andrews students studying at Manchester, this includes the three-year course plus the following one or two years spent in Manchester. Intercalating medical students need to have passed all assessments at first attempt (if they are third year) or have no fails in third year if they are fourth year.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our MSc in Clinical Biochemistry will give you a thorough grounding in a discipline that deals with the clinical analysis of body fluids and other biological material to aid the diagnosis, therapy and monitoring of diseases.

Clinical biochemists are typically clinical scientists who work in hospital laboratories providing advice and interpretation of analytical results to other healthcare professionals such as clinicians, general practitioners and nurses.

They are also involved in the development of new analytical methods and improvement of clinical services, including quality assurance and audit. During the MSc you will also develop your analytical skills with relevant practical sessions.

Through this MSc, you will gain a core knowledge and understanding of the normal physiology and pathophysiology of the major organs and endocrine systems, as well as more specialist areas such as paediatric biochemistry and drug monitoring.

You will also develop a core knowledge and understanding of clinical disorders and how biochemical parameters and laboratory methods are used for the investigation, diagnosis and management of patients.