Undergraduate · Oxford Biochemistry
Oxford's Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) is a four-year MBiochem built around a research project in the fourth year. It needs Chemistry plus another science or Mathematics, sets no admissions test and no written work, and decides much of the application at interview, where problem-solving is likely. This guide is written for families planning 2028 entry. Everything cycle-specific in it was last verified for 2027 entry, so treat it as the best guide to preparation and not as the 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
Taken from Oxford's official Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) course page and read on 25 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Oxford's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
The A-level requirement is A*AA including Chemistry and another science or Mathematics. The A* must be in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology, or a very closely related subject. For the IB, Oxford asks for 39 points including core points, with 7 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6 in two other relevant subjects at Higher Level or Standard Level.
Chemistry is required, plus another science or Mathematics. Oxford recommends Mathematics to A level or equivalent and says it may make an application more competitive. Biology beyond GCSE can be helpful but is not required.
Oxford says you do not need to take a written test and do not need to submit any written work for this course.
Shortlisted applicants will normally be interviewed by tutors at two different colleges. The interviews are academic, focussed around biochemistry, and very likely to involve working through problems on paper or on an interactive whiteboard. You may be given a short article to read beforehand.
The degree awarded is MBiochem, the course lasts 4 years (UCAS code C700), and the fourth-year project occupies most of the fourth year.
Official sources
Read on 25 October 2026 on Oxford's Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) course page, which describes 2027 entry. The 2023-25 admissions statistics quoted in the guide are history, not a requirement. The UCAS deadline and interview dates are cycle-specific and are not stated. The Department's own website and additional fourth-year fees were not read.
The course
Oxford describes biochemistry as the use of molecular methods to investigate, explain and manipulate biological processes. The Department is organised around research areas such as cell biology, structural biology and infection and disease processes. The fourth-year project is an in-depth research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff: you choose a project together, plan the research programme, design the experiments and present the results. Projects can be in the Biochemistry Department or in related departments, and a self-organised project outside the University or the UK is possible. This is a different degree from Biomedical Sciences and from a general biology degree, so check those pages if either is your real target.
Reading the offer
The grades are demanding, but the subject structure is what to plan around.
Oxford says the A* must be in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology, or a very closely related subject, and the A levels must include Chemistry and another science or Mathematics.
39 points including core points, with 7 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6 in two other relevant subjects at Higher Level or Standard Level.
Not required, but Oxford recommends it and says it may make an application more competitive. A student weighing a third science against Mathematics should note that.
If a practical component forms part of any science A level used to meet the offer, Oxford expects you to pass it.
The application
Oxford sets no written test and no written work for this course. The interview is therefore the main place where academic preparation shows, and Oxford says all interviews are academic, focussed around biochemistry.
The interview
Shortlisted applicants will normally be interviewed by tutors at two different colleges, and invited to at least one online interview, expected to take place in December. Oxford says the interviews are very likely to involve working through problems, and that for some you may be given a short article to read beforehand and discuss.
Because biochemistry is not taught as an A-level subject, Oxford says tutors will not expect detailed knowledge of the subject.
An informed interest in the subject, which can originate from podcasts, videos, books and magazine articles, and an ability to use information from other school science subjects to analyse and solve problems and to construct your own opinions.
Practise explaining your reasoning aloud on unfamiliar science problems, and read widely enough to discuss one or two molecular topics in your own words.
Context
Oxford's page gives a three-year average, for 2023-25, of 41% of applicants interviewed, 12% successful and an intake of 100. Those are historical figures about past cohorts. They are not a requirement and they do not predict any individual result.
Planning for 2028 entry
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Oxford has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Oxford published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Oxford has not yet published it.
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Check Oxford's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
Secure Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics to the end of school, build the habit of reasoning aloud on unfamiliar problems, and read around molecular science.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford 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 programme. No outcome is promised.
Questions
A*AA including Chemistry and another science or Mathematics, with the A* in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology, or 39 IB points with 7 in Higher Level Chemistry. This is Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
No. Oxford says you do not need to take a written test for this course.
No. Oxford says you do not need to submit any written work.
Academic, focussed around biochemistry, and very likely to involve working through problems. You may be given a short article to read beforehand.
Oxford says Mathematics is not required for admission but is recommended and may make an application more competitive.
No. They are Oxford's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Oxford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their sciences and mathematics, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.
