Thoughts on KCL Biochemistry BSc

Original post by safX_5

If you are currently studying a BSc in biochem at Kings College or have already graduated from the same degree, what is it like? Do you enjoy the course and your time there? What is the workload like? How accommodating are professors? Is it worth studying there? I would appreciate some honest and direct answers.

I saw some discouraging comments on tik tok about how they hated their time there, so now I’m on the fence about attending. There’s no doubt that it’s a top university on league tables, but that’s not the only thing that makes a uni student’s time worthwhile at the place they study.

hello! I graduated last year so I might be able to help you. The first year kcl is a common year one where biochem, biomed, pharmacology etc students all do the same modules. there's loads of students in the lecture halls, it's quite full. In the second/third year you have a few compulsory modules and you pick the rest. In my opinion their isn't much help, I still don't know why I didn't score well in some of my coursework/exams, as they don't show examples of exam answers (only one module did). I honestly regret doing biochemistry as a whole and wish I would have picked something else.

Reply 3

Original post by Anonymous

hello! I graduated last year so I might be able to help you. The first year kcl is a common year one where biochem, biomed, pharmacology etc students all do the same modules. there's loads of students in the lecture halls, it's quite full. In the second/third year you have a few compulsory modules and you pick the rest. In my opinion their isn't much help, I still don't know why I didn't score well in some of my coursework/exams, as they don't show examples of exam answers (only one module did). I honestly regret doing biochemistry as a whole and wish I would have picked something else.

If you don’t mind me asking, what specifically makes you regret doing biochemistry (e.g. the actual course or because of your uni experience?) If you could choose your degree again what would you pick?

I’m debating between biochemistry and biomedical sciences so I thought kings would be a good option as they have a common year. However, I have heard negative things in terms of student support etc.

Reply 4

What are the job prospects like for biochemistry and biomedical sciences?

Reply 5

Original post by Anonymous

If you don’t mind me asking, what specifically makes you regret doing biochemistry (e.g. the actual course or because of your uni experience?) If you could choose your degree again what would you pick?

I’m debating between biochemistry and biomedical sciences so I thought kings would be a good option as they have a common year. However, I have heard negative things in terms of student support etc.

It's the actual subject in itself. there is no future in it like no job opportunities. for example to become biomedical scientist (who works in the lab) you need a biomed degree and if you don't you need top up modules and then you do a one year portfolio then you can become one. so there isn't much scope ahead and now im stuck on what to do in my life lol. what I liked about kings was that they never done a register and weren't strict if you missed something out.

I wish I would have done something like pharmacy or radiography where you directly become something at the end of it.

if you apply for biochem or biomed you have the opportunity to switch in the first year and second year to either of them, so don't worry about that.

Reply 6

Original post by Anonymous

What are the job prospects like for biochemistry and biomedical sciences?

for biochem there's none, for biomed you can become a biomedical scientist

Reply 7

OP

5

I thought you could work in the pharmaceutical industry at places like GSK for Biochemistry or in research labs? I was given the impression that biochemistry is a very useful and versatile degree.

Reply 8

OP

5

Thank you so much for answering! Oh no, that doesn’t seem great. It really seems to parallel with Queen Mary’s who seem to be more accommodating, or at least that’s how they pitched it when I went to visit for an offer holder event. Did you not enjoy studying biochemistry at all? Was your experience with it the same as other students studying it too? Also, what is it like making friends there, I heard it can be quite isolating.

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Original post by safX_5

I thought you could work in the pharmaceutical industry at places like GSK for Biochemistry or in research labs? I was given the impression that biochemistry is a very useful and versatile degree.

for research labs you start as an MLA (band 2/3) if you want to become a biomedical scientist you have to do top up modules and a portfolio which takes a year then you will be band 4.

Reply 10

heisenberg dies

8

there are many internship opportunities with a biochemistry degree that allow you to progress into lab work or pharmaceuticals, and there's always an integrated masters you can do. as for the course it is quite heavy in terms of workload, especially in first year but the freedom of modules to choose from is good. not great assignment feedback and 0 exam feedback. kcl admin in general is awful, a lot of the lecturers in the biosciences department are just at kcl for research so they don't care too much for teaching and just read off slides a lot of the time.

Reply 11

Original post by safX_5

Thank you so much for answering! Oh no, that doesn’t seem great. It really seems to parallel with Queen Mary’s who seem to be more accommodating, or at least that’s how they pitched it when I went to visit for an offer holder event. Did you not enjoy studying biochemistry at all? Was your experience with it the same as other students studying it too? Also, what is it like making friends there, I heard it can be quite isolating.

I enjoyed some of my modules that I got to pick in second and third year because they were different, I done birth defects and embryology which I really loved. some students loved it others didn't. I had my high school friend with me and I only made one friend. but I never socialised or went to events, others made friends easily that way.

Reply 12

OP

5

I really wanted to complete an extra mural year for a placement in industry, what would you say the competition is like for that? That sucks that there isn’t much assistance, you’d think that professors at a top uni would be more helpful. Would you recommend me to go to a different uni for biochem instead ? Also, did you enjoy your time at KCL and doing biochem or have you had an unpleasant experience as well. Have you graduated from KCL, if so have you found a job within biochem?

Reply 13

OP

5

Those modules do sound really interesting. I’m really torn on what university to pick now 😖

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Original post by Anonymous

It's the actual subject in itself. there is no future in it like no job opportunities. for example to become biomedical scientist (who works in the lab) you need a biomed degree and if you don't you need top up modules and then you do a one year portfolio then you can become one. so there isn't much scope ahead and now im stuck on what to do in my life lol. what I liked about kings was that they never done a register and weren't strict if you missed something out.

I wish I would have done something like pharmacy or radiography where you directly become something at the end of it.

if you apply for biochem or biomed you have the opportunity to switch in the first year and second year to either of them, so don't worry about that.

Oh okay, that’s the thing I’m worried about. I don’t want to finish a degree and then be very limited in terms of job prospects.

What are the other students like on the course generally? Is it easy to make friends?

Reply 15

Original post by heisenberg dies

there are many internship opportunities with a biochemistry degree that allow you to progress into lab work or pharmaceuticals, and there's always an integrated masters you can do. as for the course it is quite heavy in terms of workload, especially in first year but the freedom of modules to choose from is good. not great assignment feedback and 0 exam feedback. kcl admin in general is awful, a lot of the lecturers in the biosciences department are just at kcl for research so they don't care too much for teaching and just read off slides a lot of the time.

Is admin, feedback etc not that great at most London unis or do you think that king’s lacks this especially?

Reply 16

heisenberg dies

8

Original post by Anonymous

Is admin, feedback etc not that great at most London unis or do you think that king’s lacks this especially?

not too sure how it is at other london unis but even before I joined kings I heard from someone that the admin isn't great so it seems to be a kcl issue more so than others

Reply 17

Original post by Anonymous

for biochem there's none, for biomed you can become a biomedical scientist

Oh I thought science degrees were quite valuable with good job prospects.

Reply 18

Original post by heisenberg dies

not too sure how it is at other london unis but even before I joined kings I heard from someone that the admin isn't great so it seems to be a kcl issue more so than others

Yeah I’ve heard this from others too but I was just wondering if that’s something I have to accept at uni and that most will be like this compared to school where there’s a lot more support.

Reply 19