ºù«Ӱҵ

Course description

This three-year accredited BSc Chemistry course will give you the skills and knowledge you’ll need for a successful career.

You’ll focus on fundamental concepts spanning organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry. You’ll gain hands-on experience from the start of your degree, learning laboratory skills and techniques in our specialist teaching labs.

You’ll have regular tutorials to delve deeper into the complex topics covered in lectures. These small group teaching sessions are led by your personal tutor in first year and subject experts in later years.

In your second and third year, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise, tailoring your degree to your interests and career goals through optional modules that cover topics like sustainable chemistry, and biological and medicinal chemistry.

You’ll get valuable independent research experience through a group research project in your third year. Working on a real scientific problem, you’ll conduct experiments in our state of the art labs, learning from academic researchers who are experts in their field.

Modules

Title: Chemistry BSc course structure 2026
UCAS code: F100
Years: 2026

First year Second year Third year

First year

Core modules:

Fundamentals of Chemistry 1

This is the first module that you'll take as an undergraduate student. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamental concepts in chemistry and introduce you to the key practical skills that every chemist needs.

You'll learn how to apply key concepts and interpret chemical information to solve basic problems through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work.

You'll cover topics including an introduction to organic chemistry, how to identify and analyse different chemicals and elements, and the structure of atoms, molecules and solids. You'll also start to build a strong foundation in laboratory techniques.

40 credits

Fundamentals of Chemistry 2

This module continues to develop your understanding of the foundations of modern degree-level chemistry and associated laboratory skills. 

You'll learn about core principles from inorganic, biological, organic and physical chemistry through lectures, workshops, tutorials and laboratory work.  You'll learn how to apply these core principles to address chemical problems, and understand the behaviour of atomic and molecular systems.

You'll continue to advance your knowledge of essential laboratory skills, by conducting independent experimental work and data analysis.

40 credits

Essential Skills for Chemists

This module provides first year chemistry students with the broader academic and professional skills required to study chemistry at degree level. The module includes fundamental physics and mathematics, data analysis, computing skills, and searching and using the scientific literature. Students will also undertake a group project on the standards and values expected of a professional chemist.

The module has been designed to introduce students to varied methods of learning and teaching used throughout the programme including online self-led activities, lectures and group work.

20 credits

The chemical world around us: from biological chemistry to sustainability

Chemistry plays a crucial role in the world around us, acting as the backbone of fundamental biological processes and helping to create a sustainable future. This module explores how chemistry explains the principles behind the biology we experience in our day-to-day lives, and the contributions chemists can make to society, with a particular focus on sustainability. 

You'll learn about the strong link between human activity, the biological world around us and sustainability. You'll also develop the ability to explain scientific concepts to a range of audiences, working in groups to produce infographics, videos and magazine articles.

20 credits

Learning and assessment

Assessment

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways, including laboratory work, coursework, online quizzes, examinations, essays and other written work.

Entry requirements

Standard offer

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
AAB
including Chemistry

A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification

ABB including Chemistry + B in the EPQ; ABB including Chemistry + A in AS or B in A Level Further Maths

International Baccalaureate

34, with 5 in Higher Level Chemistry; 33, with 5 in Higher Level Chemistry, and B in the extended essay

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD in Applied Science (Basic, Analytical & Forensic Science or Physical Science streams only) including specific Chemistry units

BTEC Diploma

DD in Applied Science + A in A Level Chemistry

Scottish Highers + Advanced Higher/s

AAABB + B in Chemistry

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels

B + AA including Chemistry

Access to HE Diploma

The award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject covering sufficient Chemistry units, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 36 at Distinction and 9 at Merit. Applicants are considered individually and must provide a course syllabus

Routes for mature students

Other requirements

• GCSE Maths grade 6/B

• BTEC required units include Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Industrial Chemical Reactions, and Practical Chemical Analysis

Access ºù«Ӱҵ offer

The A Level entry requirements for this course are:
ABB
including Chemistry

A Levels + a fourth Level 3 qualification

ABB including Chemistry + B in the EPQ; ABB including Chemistry + A in AS or B in A Level Further Maths

International Baccalaureate

33, with 5 in Higher Level Chemistry

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD in Applied Science (Basic, Analytical & Forensic Science or Physical Science streams only) including specific Chemistry units

BTEC Diploma

DD in Applied Science + B in A Level Chemistry

Scottish Highers + Advanced Higher/s

AABBB + B in Chemistry

Welsh Baccalaureate + 2 A Levels

B + AB including Chemistry

Access to HE Diploma

The award of the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject covering sufficient Chemistry units, with 45 credits at Level 3, including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit. Applicants are considered individually and must provide a course syllabus

Routes for mature students

Other requirements

• GCSE Maths grade 6/B

• BTEC required units include Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Industrial Chemical Reactions, and Practical Chemical Analysis

Graduate careers

School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

You won’t be short of career options with a degree in chemistry from ºù«Ӱҵ. Our courses are designed to give you the skills that will help you succeed in your chosen career.

Employers hire our graduates because of their ability to plan projects, work to deadlines, analyse data and solve complex problems, independently and as part of a team.

Our Skills for Success training programme gives you a project to work on outside the lab. You’ll develop key skills that employers value, such as the ability to research a topic and communicate your findings by giving a talk, presenting a poster, hosting a debate or producing a video.

At our annual careers day you can explore career options, meet with employers who hire chemistry graduates and get tips from former students to help you take your next steps after graduation.

Many of our graduates choose to stay in the lab after their degree, working on global challenges or helping to develop innovative technologies and processes. Our graduates go on to work for pharmaceutical, consumer goods and chemical companies such as GSK, AstraZeneca, Unilever, Reckitt and Croda.

A chemistry degree from ºù«Ӱҵ can take you far, whatever you want to do. We have graduates putting their transferable skills to use in finance, computer programming, communications, market research and business development roles at major companies, charities and the Civil Service.

School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is leading the way with groundbreaking research and innovative teaching.

Our chemistry researchers are focusing on some of society’s most pressing challenges, from antimicrobial resistance to environmental sustainability. We collaborate closely with industry to find solutions and develop innovative new technologies. Many of our academics bring first-hand industrial and business experience to their teaching.

Facilities

Chemistry students are based in the Dainton and the Richard Roberts Buildings, which have classrooms, lecture theatres and three specialist teaching labs for organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Each lab is equipped with specialist analytical equipment, including nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and ultraviolet spectrometry, and gas- and size-exclusion chromatography.

We’re also home to state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories and several multi-million pound materials science facilities:

• The Lord Porter Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory, which is used in studies ranging from energy transport in molecules and materials to artificial photosynthesis.
• The Soft Matter Analytical Laboratory, where scientists can study samples that are 100 times smaller than a human hair.
• The , which is home to an array of state-of-the-art instrumentation.

School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

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Fees and funding

Fees

Additional funding

Placements and study abroad

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Offer holder days

If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our offer holder days, which take place between February and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.

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School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences