Chemistry
A comprehensive guide to studying Chemistry at university.
- - "Chemistry is such a broad and rich subject. I’ve learnt about such diverse topics as quantum mechanics, semiconductors and drug development.” - Tobias, MSci Chemistry Student, UCL
- - “Every week, we received 2-on-1 tutorials with lecturers to discuss the problem sets we had completed for the week, along with any other questions about the material we had. These were a fantastic chance to grasp a good understanding of the course material, and made me do the work, because there's nowhere to hide if you know nothing.” - Tom, MChem Chemistry Graduate, Oxford
- - "The heavy practical focus of the degree has left me feeling well prepared for a career in the lab.” - Peter, BSc Chemistry Graduate, UCL
- - "The labs are intense and grueling at times, each session lasting at least 4 hours. Moreover, pre-lab work and a lab report must be completed each week. Alongside tutorial work and coursework, this makes for a really heavy workload.” Sophie, BSc Chemistry Student, Cambridge
- - “I was unprepared for the level of maths required in chemistry and really struggled with the maths modules in first year. I wish that I took further maths at A Level.” Harry, MSci Chemistry Graduate, Birmingham
Studying chemistry at a UK university is a massive step up from A Level! 🧪 You'll revisit core topics like organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, but now with much more depth and complexity.
Expect to spend countless hours in the lab, honing your practical skills and learning advanced techniques 👩🔬. Theoretical lectures will delve deep into quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics, often requiring a solid grasp of maths and physics. Group work and presentations are common, and you'll have to write detailed lab reports and research papers, demanding strong analytical and writing skills ✍️.
Computational chemistry is a growing field, so be prepared to use software for molecular modelling and data analysis 💻. While the workload is intense, the subject's real-world applications—from pharmaceuticals to materials science—make it incredibly rewarding 🌟.
Chemistry degrees are highly regarded by employers, and graduates often pursue careers in research, industry, or further studies.
Chemistry opens doors to a wide range of careers! You definitely don’t have to spend your lifetime in a lab if you don’t want to. Many graduates go on to undertake further study, a Masters and / or a PhD. Many in industry will have PhD and it is a requirement if you hope to conduct research.
Here are some common professions that chemistry graduates enter:
Directly related to Chemistry:
- Academic researcher (phD required!)
- Analytical chemist
- Forensic scientist
- Pharmacologist
- Materials scientist
Outside of STEM:
- Patent law (requires a law conversion)
- Consultancy
- Finance & Investment banking
Prestigious Employers include:
- GSK
- AstraZeneca
- Pfizer
- BP Petrochemicals
- Schlumberger
Thanks to it’s highly quantitative and analytical nature, a chemistry degree is a great entry route into finance or investment banking for those who want a move away from chemistry! Law conversion courses are also an option, with chemistry lending itself particularly well to patent law.