Chemistry Degrees

For those with interests in medicine, the environment, and laboratory work, wanting to find out how things work and how matter can be altered on a molecular level, chemistry might be the perfect subject. Read our guide to studying a degree in chemistry, including an overview of common course topics, specialisations and career options. 

Course content

Studying chemistry will allow you to look at the chemical makeup of matter at a molecular level, researching the properties of different materials and how they react to different stimulus. A chemistry degree may cover topics such as: 

• Organic chemistry 

• Inorganic chemistry 

• Molecular pharmacology 

• Biochemistry 

• Mineralogy 

• Properties of molecules

Entry requirements

The exact entry requirements for a chemistry degree will vary depending on the university you apply to. However, the course has a reputation for being highly competitive, like all STEM subjects, and so high grades are generally required. All universities will require students to have some basic qualifications in maths and English to be admitted onto a chemistry course. Experience of studying chemistry and also maths at a more advanced level is also usually a requirement. 

Other subjects that may prove beneficial when applying to study chemistry are the other sciences, biology or physics, or other STEM subjects such as information technology or engineering. 

Course structure and assessment methods

A degree in chemistry will have both compulsory modules, which give students a more general understanding of the most important aspects, and elective modules, which allow them to specialise in an area of their choice. Some topics that are commonly taught as compulsory modules include: 

• Introduction to a laboratory 

• Organic chemistry 

• Inorganic chemistry 

• Mathematics for chemists 

• Physical chemistry 

• Biochemistry 

• Molecular structures and bonds 

• Chemical reactivity 

• Solids, liquids and gasses 

Regarding assessment methods, students can expect to be examined on their ability to recall principles and theory as well as their ability to think critically and take part in practical research. Assessment methods may include traditional written exams, long form research essays and lab work under observation.

Specialisations

There are many different specialisations that students can choose from throughout their chemistry degree. Choosing specialisations and elective modules is particularly important as it allows students to explore their interests and may inform their future careers. These specialisations may include: 

• Biochemistry – this refers to the study of chemical reactions within living organisms and biological cells. This combines biology and chemistry to study the effects of disease, drugs, medicine, nutrition and genetics on the body. 

• Analytical chemistry – aims to identify, qualify, and classify matter based on its properties and chemical reactions to different stimulus. Quantitative and qualitative data is analysed to categorise different materials. 

• Geochemistry – the use of chemistry to explain geological phenomena. This mostly looks at the earth’s crust and its oceans although it can include other natural structures within the solar system. 

• Nuclear chemistry – a field under the umbrella of ‘chemistry’ which looks at radioactivity and nuclear reactions, properties, and transmutations. It studies how radioactive substances evolve during the process of nuclear reactions. 

• Pharmaceutical chemistry – deals with the discovery, development and testing of pharmaceutical products. It studies how different pharmaceuticals work within the body and interact with each other to ensure patient safety. This may lead to a career in drug development. 

• Forensics – using principles of chemistry to find information about a crime scene and aid in legal proceedings. This might involve working with DNA evidence, performing chromatography or spectroscopy tests and analysing chemical substances found at a crime scene. 

• Chemical materials – research of different molecules and chemical matter to find out how it behaves and reacts to different stimulus. Aims to find out more about the properties of different materials and their chemical makeups. 

• Industrial chemistry – the production of chemical transformations on an industrial scale to produce materials that are useful and can be sold.  

• Astrochemistry – the study of chemical molecules within our universe and their individual properties and reactions to different stimulus. Radiation is an important part of the study of astrochemistry as it will give researchers a better understanding of how our solar system might evolve over time. 

• Biotechnology – like biochemistry, biotechnology is the study of biological matter using chemical processes, with the difference being that biotechnology aims to genetically engineer biological matter and chemical substances, usually proteins and bacteria, as a method of treating medical conditions.

Career options

A degree in chemistry is highly regarded as it opens the doors to a variety of career options. These include: 

• Toxicologist – someone who identifies and investigates the harmful effects of toxic substances and radiation on human and animal bodies as well as the environment. They carry out laboratory and field studies to draw their conclusions and communicate their findings in presentations and reports. 

• Crime scene investigator – a team of researchers who gather forensic evidence from crime scenes and send it to a lab to find more information about a criminal and to provide evidence for prosecution. A crime scene investigator must be familiar with the different types of DNA evidence that might be found at a crime scene in order to collect as much evidence as possible. 

• Forensic scientist – tests forensic evidence which is found at a crime scene in a laboratory to find more information about the criminal and aid with prosecution. They may conduct tests on matter such as body fluids, fingerprints, hair, or clothing fibres. 

• Laboratory technician – an individual who works in laboratories and oversees medical testing and drug development. They must know the safety principles of working in a laboratory and the necessary steps to take to ensure that the data collected from experiments is accurate and reliable. 

• Food technologist – aids in the development of food and drink to ensure that they are safe for consumption and meet legal requirements and regulations. They may work with companies developing new products as well as testing existing products to ensure that they still comply with current standards. 

• Pharmacologist – investigates the impact of new and existing drugs on biological matter to improve the treatment of a variety of medical conditions and reduce the potential for negative side effects. Pharmacologists will work in a laboratory and conduct experiments to find out more about chemical reactions. 

• Medicinal chemist – similar to pharmacology, medicinal chemists conduct experiments to develop new pharmaceutical products to treat or cure a particular disease or medical condition. They will also work in a laboratory and analyse data from chemical experiments to create new drugs. 

• Nanotechnologist – develops new materials, products, and drugs on a nanoscale. They work in a lab and conduct experiments on nanoscale systems to analyse and classify the findings and draw conclusions. They will often work within an academic setting. 

• Environmental conservation consultant – provides expert recommendations and conducts assessments to minimise damage to the environment. Aims to provide clients with a plan as to how they can improve their environmental impact. This may include use of fossil fuels, energy consumption, recycling processes, waste management and infrastructure. Clients include private and government organisations. 

• Chemistry teacher – at primary or secondary level, a chemistry teacher gives young students an understanding of the basic principles of chemistry and chemical reactions, with the aim of preparing them for further study if they wish to develop their knowledge. Teaching methods are often interactive and include breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible ideas.