AAA, with Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics
The minimum A-level standard is AAA, including A in Chemistry, A in Biology, Mathematics or Physics, and A in a third subject. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Undergraduate · Imperial Biochemistry
Imperial Biochemistry BSc: molecular science and degree selection
Imperial's Biochemistry BSc asks for Chemistry plus one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics at A, and an ESAT with Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology. Imperial says that generally the department does not hold interviews, so the application rests on grades, the ESAT and the written record. The decision for a student is whether they want to work at the molecular and cellular level in the laboratory, and which of the three-year or four-year variants they want. Everything cycle-specific here is Imperial's wording for 2027 entry; nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Imperial asks for in Biochemistry
Taken from Imperial's Biochemistry BSc course page and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Imperial's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
The IB: 38 points with 6s at Higher Level
The IB entry standard is 38 points, including 6 in Chemistry and 6 in Biology, Mathematics or Physics at Higher Level. Either Mathematics syllabus is accepted.
The ESAT: Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology
You must sit the Engineering and Science Admissions Test and, to be eligible for selection, three modules: Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology. Each module has 27 multiple-choice questions and lasts 40 minutes.
Generally no interviews
Imperial says that generally the department does not hold interviews.
A three-year BSc, with longer variants
The BSc lasts three years, UCAS code C700. Variants with research abroad or a year in industry or research are longer. Imperial says to apply for either a BSc or an MSci, not both.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Imperial's Biochemistry BSc course page, which describes 2027 entry. Imperial's separate ESAT page, fees, the other variants' own rules, the application-to-places ratio (not used) and the 2028-entry values were not read or are not stated.
The course
Living systems at the molecular and cellular level
Imperial says you will study living systems at the molecular and cellular level and gain an understanding of the chemical processes within organisms, developing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of life and how they underpin solutions to biological and biomedical problems. A dedicated Life Sciences skills programme trains you in quantitative skills, programming, statistics, and scientific writing and presentation. Laboratory and computational practical work teaches you to design and carry out biochemical experiments and analyse the data. In later years you can specialise in areas such as immunology and infection, systems biology, cancer, metabolic engineering, structural biology and drug design, cellular biophysics and neuroscience, and apply your expertise in a research project or dissertation. The department is one of the largest Life Sciences departments in Europe.
Choosing between courses
Biochemistry, or another life-science or chemistry degree?
Several good degrees sit near this one. They ask different things of the student.
Choose Biochemistry if
you are drawn to how molecules and cells work, you enjoy laboratory and computational problem-solving, and you want a degree that treats chemistry as the language of biology.
Compare Oxford Biochemistry
Oxford Biochemistry is a different programme with its own subject rules and selection. The Oxford guide in this series sets out its requirements.
Look at biomedical engineering if
your interest is applying engineering to medicine. Imperial Biomedical Engineering has its own guide and its own subject rules, including Mathematics and Physics.
Look at medicine if
your goal is clinical practice. Imperial Medicine is a separate course with the UCAT and interviews, covered in its own guide.
Reading the offer
Chemistry is required, with a choice of the second science
The A-level standard is AAA, including A in Chemistry, A in Biology, Mathematics or Physics, and A in a third subject. The IB standard is 38 points with 6 in Chemistry and 6 in Biology, Mathematics or Physics at Higher Level. Either IB Mathematics syllabus is accepted. That flexibility about the second science is useful, but it matters for the ESAT: you will sit Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology, so a student who offers Mathematics or Physics instead of Biology still has to prepare for the Biology module. If you are offered a place you must pass the practical endorsement in each science subject that forms part of the offer.
The ESAT and selection
A three-module test, and generally no interview
The ESAT is a computer-based, multiple-choice test run by UAT-UK. For this course you need Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology, each with 27 questions in 40 minutes. For 2027 entry Imperial gave two test windows, and those dates belong to that cycle. Imperial says the Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence during selection, and that generally the department does not hold interviews. With no interview, the personal statement, references, predicted grades and test performance carry the weight, so check how each is prepared.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Imperial's.
Do you enjoy explaining a biological process in chemical terms?
Pick a cellular process, such as an enzyme reaction, and try to explain it with bonding, energy and equilibrium. If this is satisfying, the course will be too.
Are you comfortable with data and programming?
The skills programme includes statistics and programming, and laboratory work produces data to analyse.
Can you prepare for a test across three sciences?
Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology each need practice, whichever second science you offer for A level.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Imperial has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Imperial published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Imperial has not yet published it.
Grades, the Chemistry rule, the three ESAT modules and the general absence of interviews: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Imperial has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
UCAS deadline, ESAT windows and booking dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Imperial's Biochemistry course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Secure Chemistry and a second science, begin ESAT practice in all three modules, and decide between the three-year and longer variants.
Support
Independent support with course choice and ESAT preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Imperial College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Chemistry and biology mentoring and ESAT preparation help a student prepare for the test; they do not supply questions or predict content. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Imperial Biochemistry entry requirements?
AAA at A level including A in Chemistry and A in Biology, Mathematics or Physics, or 38 IB points with 6 in Chemistry and one of those at Higher Level. This is Imperial's wording for 2027 entry.
Which ESAT modules do I need?
Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology. Each has 27 multiple-choice questions and lasts 40 minutes.
Is there an interview?
Imperial says that generally the department does not hold interviews.
Is Biochemistry a three-year or four-year degree?
The BSc lasts three years. Variants with research abroad or a year in industry or research are longer, and you should apply for either a BSc or an MSci, not both.
Do I need Biology A level?
Not necessarily. You need Chemistry and one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics, but you will still sit the ESAT Biology module.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Imperial's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Imperial publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Imperial Biochemistry
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Chemistry, their Biology or Mathematics and their ESAT readiness, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.