MSc Clinical Biochemistry

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
MSc
Duration
FT MSc/PGDip/PGCert 1yr, PT 2 yrs (or 2-3 for MSc)
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.

Full entry requirements

Number of places/applicants

25-30 places

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y Y N N
PGDip Y Y N N
PGCert N Y N N

Course overview

  • Study the pathophysiology of diseases of the major organ systems within the body and how laboratory analysis can help to elucidate the cause and advise on patient management.
  • Understand the regulation of endocrinology systems and investigation of disorders.
  • Study specialist topics including paediatric biochemistry, drug monitoring and nutritional analysis.
  • Learn to apply theoretical knowledge to case based discussions.
  • Develop professional, research and communication skills.
  • Option of a 10 week research project.
  • Units available as standalone courses and  CPD.

Open days

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our  upcoming open days .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £14,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £33,000
  • MSc (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £7,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £16,500
  • PGDip (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £11,200
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,400
  • PGDip (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £5,600
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £13,200
  • PGCert (part-time)
    UK students (per annum): £2,800
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £6,600

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration and computational costs during your studies.

All fees for entry will be subject to a yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students for the course duration at the year of entry).

For general fees information please visit postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page .

The Catherine Chisholm scholarship is applicable to students from selected countries for this course. Find out more details on the scholarship page .

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Postgraduate Admissions Team
Telephone
0161 529 4577
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/medicine/
School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

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.

English language

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system.

We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English speaking countries (a list of majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office, can be found here ).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

  • IELTS : 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components

See further information about requirements for your country .

We may also accept evidence of a confirmed place on a University Pre-sessional English language course. Please visit the University Language Centre webpage for details.

Please note, we must approve this before you apply for the English course. If you wish to be considered for a pre-sessional course please contact the admissions team pgtaughtmedicine@manchester.ac.uk.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Advice to applicants

Your application form must include the following documents.

  • One academic reference will be sought. You will be required to provide contact details for one referee when completing your application form.
  • Official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated.
  • Official university transcripts (with translations if not in English).
  • Full CV.
  • Personal statement (300-500 words).
  • If English is not your first language, we require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document, but if we choose to make you an offer, the conditions will include IELTS (or equivalent qualification).

Supporting documents should be uploaded and submitted with the online application form.

Your application cannot be considered until all your supporting documents are supplied. Please include your University ID number in all correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.

You are not guaranteed to have a place on this course if you do not accept our offer within four weeks of it being made.

How your application is considered

We consider your application based on your academic record and relevant professional experience.

Interview requirements

You may be asked to undertake a 15-minute interview, which will take place online.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

CAS Information

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

For CAS purposes, you will be asked to upload a copy of your current valid passport showing the photograph page. This must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date of your course, the Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.

Your CAS number is only valid for one Tier 4 application.

Deferrals

Deferrals are considered on an individual basis. Successful applicants may defer entry to the course for up to one year.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again.

Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

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.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Aims

We aim to give you:

  • an advanced understanding and applied knowledge of the theory and practice of clinical biochemistry;
  • a critical understanding of how biochemical investigations are employed to develop a clinical diagnosis;
  • the necessary professional and research skills to promote lifelong learning and career development.

Special features

Innovative teaching

The course is taught in a blended format allowing you to self-pace theoretical knowledge before learning and how to apply it in guided teaching. We utilise interactive teaching throughout your studies using simulation of clinical cases where you will apply your theoretical knowledge to solve real-life laboratory scenarios.

Lab skills

You will complete a practical course in our cutting-edge postgraduate laboratories allowing you to develop analytical skills both in handling samples and for data analysis. We cater for students from a range of backgrounds and are able to offer top up sessions to those with limited laboratory experience at undergraduate level.

Research experience

You will conduct a 10 week research project which can take a number of formats including laboratory based work, adapted systematic reviews of the published literature or analysis of laboratory data. You will learn how to formulate a research question, conduct an effective literature search and critically appraise publications.

Professional teaching and learning

Most of the course is taught by NHS professionals working in the field of clinical biochemistry. You will also learn alongside students from a variety of health science backgrounds within pathology, helping you to integrate within a health service laboratory team in the future.

Teaching and learning

We use a range of teaching and learning methodologies throughout the course, including lectures, tutorials, workshops and interactive clinical case tutorials using mobile technology. Some of these will be delivered online.

Find out more by visiting the postgraduate teaching and learning page.

Coursework and assessment

We will assess your progress using a range of formative and summative assessments, such as MCQs, ECQs, written and verbal presentations.

The assessments will be constructed to assess your knowledge and understanding while at the same time refining and expanding your intellectual and transferable skills.

Course unit details

The units that form part of the MSc (180 credits) are as follows:

  • Research Methods (0 credit)
  • Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry (15 credits)
  • Analytical Methods (15 credits)
  • Diseases of Major Organs (15 credits)
  • Endocrinology and Diabetes (15 credits)
  • Research Skills Masterclass (30 credits)
  • Paediatric Biochemistry (15 credits)
  • Nutrition and Drug Monitoring (15 credits)
  • Clinical Biochemistry Dissertation (60 credits)

There are also two part-time PGCert pathways available, each comprising the following units:

PGCert Clinical Biochemistry (Foundation)

  • Analytical Methods (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry (15 credits)
  • Diseases of Major Organs (15 credits)
  • Endocrinology and Diabetes (15 credits)

PGCert Clinical Biochemistry (Advanced)

  • Diseases of Major Organs (15 credits)
  • Endocrinology and Diabetes (15 credits)
  • Nutrition and Drug Monitoring (15 credits)
  • Paediatric Biochemistry (15 credits)

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Diseases of Major Organs MEDN61050 15 Mandatory
Nutrition and Drug Monitoring MEDN61600 15 Mandatory
Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry MEDN61701 15 Mandatory
Endocrinology MEDN61800 15 Mandatory
Analytical Methods MEDN61901 15 Mandatory
Research Skills Masterclass MEDN63011 30 Mandatory
Clinical Biochemistry Dissertation MEDN63220 60 Mandatory
Paediatric Biochemistry MEDN67200 15 Mandatory

Scholarships and bursaries

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Facilities

You will be able to access a range of facilities throughout the University.

You will undertake your theoretical learning on the main University campus.

Your research project may be carried out in a laboratory within the University or at teaching hospitals in Greater Manchester.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .

CPD opportunities

We offer units from this MSc as standalone courses for continuing professional development. Please see the Clinical Biochemistry CPD units page for further details.

Careers

Career opportunities

Our course attracts a wide range of students from a bioscience and medical background from home and abroad.

Many students study this course as a springboard for further academic research (for example a PhD) or as a stepping stone before applying for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP).

The course may also help individuals with their own career progression if they are already working within a clinical laboratory. The course also attracts intercalating medical students and professionals who may wish to specialise in clinical biochemistry/chemical pathology.