Physical sciences
Chemistry
BSc or MChem
Overview
Chemistry studies the structure, reactions and analysis of substances. Laboratory practicals run through the degree, with increasing independence. An MChem is an integrated master's with a longer research project. It is the most direct academic route into work as a chemist, and it also supports teaching, materials, pharmacy-related science and chemical engineering is a separate degree. Students who enjoy it like explaining why a reaction happens and do not mind long lab sessions.
You want chemistry itself, not only chemistry as a tool for medicine or biology.
Chemical engineering designs processes at industrial scale. Biochemistry is the chemistry of living cells.
People who like practical experiments and abstract explanation together.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Organic, inorganic and physical chemistry
- Maths for chemists
- Labs
Later years
- Advanced synthesis or analysis
- Optional topics
- Project
Skills
Useful before you start
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Practical care
Developed during the degree
- Synthesis and analysis
- Laboratory safety
- Problem-solving
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Laboratory practicals, Workshops.
Assessment often includes Exams, Lab assessment, Project.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate. Laboratory sessions make this heavier than a seminar degree.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBB–ABB. Chemistry is required. Mathematics is often recommended and sometimes required. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 34 points for ABB. The other end of this band is not in that table. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 4, 4 for ABB. The other end of this band is not in the guide. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Chemistry is required. Mathematics is often recommended and sometimes required.
Often recommended: Mathematics.
Useful preparation: Physics, Biology.
GCSE and IGCSE
English and mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly requested. Science grades matter more for science degrees. No single national grade is stored. International GCSEs are not automatically accepted as GCSEs.
Indicative UK pattern only. Highly selective universities can ask for higher grades in the sciences than the typical band. Not an offer.
Other ways in
- An MChem is still an undergraduate integrated master's, not a PhD.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
ESAT
Used by some courses only. A science and engineering admissions test.
Selected engineering and science courses. Not a requirement for every science degree.
Checked 2026-10-14.
Official test site
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
No individual UK course page is stored yet for this subject. Use the university site.
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Chemist
Direct qualifying route
The standard degree route. Some research jobs expect a postgraduate qualification.
Forensic scientist
Alternative route
Analytical chemistry is a recognised background.
Secondary school teacher
Alternative route
Chemistry can be a teaching subject. Teacher training is additional.
Pharmacist
Related, but not enough on its own
Chemistry does not replace the MPharm.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.