Biochemistry or Chemistry?

Hi, I'm currently a year 12 student studying biology, chemistry and maths and am quite torn on my degree choice. I've been rather set on biochemistry throughout the year - I like genetics, studying biological molecules in class, have listened to a few interesting lectures that caught my interest. However, I recently have begun to consider chemistry after reading a bit around the subject. I'm not sure about the physical aspect of the degree and would really like some insight. How much chemistry is involved in a biochemistry degree? How physics intensive does chemistry become at a degree level? Any experiences would be really helpful.

Hi, I'm currently a year 12 student studying biology, chemistry and maths and am quite torn on my degree choice. I've been rather set on biochemistry throughout the year - I like genetics, studying biological molecules in class, have listened to a few interesting lectures that caught my interest. However, I recently have begun to consider chemistry after reading a bit around the subject. I'm not sure about the physical aspect of the degree and would really like some insight. How much chemistry is involved in a biochemistry degree? How physics intensive does chemistry become at a degree level? Any experiences would be really helpful.

Hi @jadeburied,
Might be worth having a chat with a university that offers both subjects, and seeing how they compare side by side, so as to get practical advice on the core subject differences/similarities. Perhaps you could talk with universities that you are applying to, as they would be best placed to offer live advice and could even offer opportunities to talk to current students studying these subjects at undergraduate level.
Best of luck

Hi @jadeburied
As mentioned, biochemistry is a bioscience degree. Some biochemistry degrees will contain no chemistry, some will contain a few chemistry modules. I took biochemistry at Lancaster and just under 1/3 of my first year was chemistry (but this was back in 2021). In my second and third year I only took 2-3 chemistry modules focussed on analytical chemistry and other relevant topics such as the chemistry of biomedical imaging. I enjoyed the chemistry, as it supported my understanding of molecular biology. Chemistry at university is definitely more physics-based, and I'd say its another big jump from chemistry A Level.
If you like genetics and molecular biology then a biochemistry degree would definitely suit you. I'd recommend reading through the modules available at each university you are considering. I chose Lancaster because I had the option to take some chemistry and I didn't have to take biology modules that were more biomedical, however, other universities will have different compulsory and optional modules!
Good luck with applications - please let me know if you have any other questions about studying biochemistry!
Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

An important distinction is that in the UK a biochemistry degree is a bioscience degree, it's not a degree in biological chemistry/chemical biology. There is usually relatively little "pure" chemistry (maybe a module or two in first year) in a biochemistry degree.
All chemistry degrees will include physical chemistry and most reputable ones I believe will cover physical chemistry as well inorganic and organic chemistry throughout the first 2-3 years (in more or less equal measure). It's a fundamental part of a chemistry degree.
Since you say you're interested in genetics and biological molecules, it sounds like biochemistry may be a better fit for your interests as that's exactly the kind of stuff you'd study in a biochemistry degree

Thank you this is really insightful! Just as i'm considering Lancaster, I wanted to ask about your experience as a biochemist and as a student generally. How did you find the content of the degree and the difficulty? Is Lancaster a good student city? How affordable is the accommodation?