Programming skills studentship

Part of the Biochemical Society's Summer Vacation Studentship scheme, our programming skills studentship is centred on skills development.

These online studentships aim to equip students with analytical and computational tools useful for their career progression and graduate school applications.

Programming skills studentship

What will the studentship involve?

The studentship includes:

Free access to two online, self-led programming courses: 'R for Biochemists 101' and 'Practical Python for beginners: a Biochemist’s guide', with support from course moderators.
Access to a bespoke transferable skills pack, focusing on personal development, employability, and careers.

Students will have access to the online courses for 8 weeks from the start of each course, which can be completed in their own time. The courses will be moderated for 4 weeks from the start of each course during July and August 2026.

The studentship will take place entirely online.

Following completion of both courses and a post-studentship report, students will be awarded a one-year undergraduate membership of the Biochemical Society. Read more about the benefits of Society membership here, which include discounted registration fees for training courses and events, such as 'R for Biochemists 201'.

Students will complete an online application form, detailing why they are applying for this specific studentship, which transferable skills they are hoping to develop, and what the potential impact will be on their future studies and career.

Following the review process, the student will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Students are encouraged to keep track of any skills they have developed over the course of the studentship, both technical and transferable, and any impact the project has had on their potential future career.

They are encouraged to engage with other students in their cohort and the course moderators during the studentship.

We also encourage students to update the Society on their placement using social media by tagging us on Instagram @officialbiochemsoc, on Bluesky @biochemsoc.bsky.social and on LinkedIn or on X @BiochemSoc.

It is a condition of the award that the student subsequently submits a report of their studentship, which may be uploaded onto our website.

This will involve reflecting on the student's experience with the programming skills studentship and what they feel they have gained from the programme.

The questions and prompts below can be used to help structure the report.

What skills have been developed throughout the scheme? (Both technical and transferable.)
Discuss the skills and link them to personal development and future career.
How has the scheme contributed to your career progression, overall career goal or future plans? (Be specific.)

The report should be no longer than a one A4 page.

Examples of reports by previous students can be found here.

The deadline to complete and send your report is 1 October 2026.

Criteria and eligibility

The studentships are for undergraduate students in biochemistry, molecular bioscience and related subjects.
Students will take up the award during the summer vacation in the middle year(s) of their undergraduate degree. This can include:
- Year 2 out of 3
- Year 2 out of 4
- Year 3 out of 4 (This is applicable for 4 year BSc courses only, and Integrated Masters courses/MSci are not included in this)
- For students on longer degree terms e.g., on a 6-year Medical related degree, you would be eligible in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- First year and final year students are not eligible for this studentship, which includes those graduating in year 2026 and final year students on an integrated master’s degree.
The programming skills studentship is open to overseas students and mature students, and can be carried out in the UK or overseas.
Students do not need to be members of the Biochemical Society to apply.
Students can only apply for one Biochemical Society studentship.

Contact us

For further information, please get in touch with the Grants department.

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Programming skills studentship

Application deadline