Biochemistry or Chemistry

I want to apply to University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow. Their degrees are very flexible and you can take three subjects in the first year then specialise later.

My personal statement is quite broad and contains a lot of Biological Sciences like Neuroscience and Environmental Science with applied chemistry in those fields as well as some Quantum Theory.

I emailed the universities’ admission service and they said they would accept a more broad personal statement but I’m worried that I have far too little pure chemistry in the personal statement and whether I should just apply for Biochemistry. I would rather do Chemistry.

Should I apply for Biochemistry or Chemistry? Both are MSci degrees.

I want to apply to University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow. Their degrees are very flexible and you can take three subjects in the first year then specialise later.

My personal statement is quite broad and contains a lot of Biological Sciences like Neuroscience and Environmental Science with applied chemistry in those fields as well as some Quantum Theory.

I emailed the universities’ admission service and they said they would accept a more broad personal statement but I’m worried that I have far too little pure chemistry in the personal statement and whether I should just apply for Biochemistry. I would rather do Chemistry.

Should I apply for Biochemistry or Chemistry? Both are MSci degree

If your personal statement has a lot more biology related stuff in it that would suggest to me that you would be better studying biochemistry as that is where your interest seem to lie.

But if you really are more interested in straight chemistry then it might be better to change parts of your personal statement to include more pure chemistry.

Or apply to biochemistry (as that matches your personal statement better) but take enough pure chemistry courses in the first year to allow you to transfer to pure chemistry in the second year if you find you prefer that.

But be aware that you usually apply to 5 unis and so think about where else to apply and for which course, and whether your ps is suitable for all your choices

If you manage to tailor your personal statement in the direction of an interest in science without being too specific then there’s nothing stopping you applying to both Biochemistry and Chemistry courses and then making a decision later on once you’ve received offers.

Also, if you have a chemistry based personal statement I’m sure Biochemistry admissions won’t be too fussed as Biochemistry has a fair chemistry component to it, but of course add your bio experience into the personal statement as well.

Lastly, Southampton University offer an MSci Chemistry and Biochemistry joint honours which you may want to have a look at.

I have a Biochemistry based statement with a bit of Physics and not a lot of pure straight chemistry which is why I feel like I would be more likely to get into Biochem and then take up Chemistry and Physics modules once I get to First year. My other three courses I’m applying for are Natural Sciences so those are chill, it was just these last two.