Chemistry BSc Hons | University of Chester

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Course Summary

Our BSc in Chemistry provides you with a broad base of fundamental chemistry, and the practical skills to begin a rewarding career in science. We teach a combination of modern, practical chemistry and theory, and you can choose from specific specialisms in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, environmental and sustainable chemistry, as well as industrial research. You will also gain practical work experience with industrial partners and academic staff.

Why you'll Love it

Small class sizes

Chemistry students doing an expereiment in a lab wearing lab coats and glasses

Excellent facilities

Integrated placements

Biochemistry laboratory research, Chemist is analyzing sample in laboratory with Microscope equipment and science experiments glassware containing chemical liquid

Chemistry at the University of Chester

What You'll Study

The Physical and Natural Sciences Foundation Year route is an ideal place to begin your journey in academic sciences.

The Foundation Year is designed to give you a strong knowledge and skills base aligned with your chosen four-year degree. Following a solid grounding in scientific principles or behavioural sciences in your first block of teaching, you will study bespoke modules aligned with your discipline. This could involve studying the human body in health and disease and how to encourage healthy and sustainable behaviours, or the biology of terrestrial and marine animals and the impacts of their interactions with humans, or you might focus on the physical sciences and how they can help change the world for the better. Whatever you aspire to, we can offer you a supportive and incremental introduction to your science degree.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

The BSc Chemistry course contains core modules at each level of study. In the first year, students will be introduced to the core areas of chemistry, covering essential concepts and techniques. This includes comprehensive studies in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Students will develop crucial practical skills through hands-on laboratory experience and will learn to assess risks and work safely in the laboratory, which will be vital as they progress in their studies.

At Level 5, students will deepen their understanding of chemistry through more specialised topics. Building on the basics learned in Level 4, students will explore advanced concepts and techniques, particularly in analytical methods and spectroscopy. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting through a placement module, gaining valuable industry experience and professional skills.

In the final year, students will focus on advanced topics and engage in significant research projects. This year emphasises the application of chemistry in specialised fields such as environmental chemistry, sustainability, and advanced physical and inorganic chemistry. A major component of this year is an individual research project, allowing students to delve deeply into a specific area of interest, develop critical thinking and research skills, and contribute original findings to the field of chemistry.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term, you study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week, depending upon the level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered through a mix of in-person and online learning. You can expect to take part in lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials and peer-led seminars.

You should expect to spend an average of 30-34 hours per week on independent study, which might include following asynchronous learning material on the University’s VLE, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This may be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so you are exposed to the different types of task you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of oral and poster presentations, podcasts, lab portfolios, written lab reports and problem-solving assignments. In some modules, you will encounter class tests, exams and practical assessments.

We continuously review the assessment methods used to ensure they adequately prepare you for graduate level employment.

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff	112 points
GCE A Level	Typical offer – BCC-BBC Must include A Level Chemistry
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma will be considered alongside A Level Chemistry
International Baccalaureate	26 points, including 5 in HL Chemistry
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H3 H3 H3 H3 H4, including Chemistry Scottish Highers: BBBB including Chemistry
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma (Science), to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above (of which 15 must be in Chemistry)
T Level	T Level will be considered alongside A Level Chemistry
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma will be considered alongside A Level Chemistry
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72 UCAS Points

UCAS Tariff	72 points
GCE A level	72 points overall, including grade D in A level Chemistry
BTEC	BTEC Extended Diploma will be considered alongside A Level Chemistry
International Baccalaureate	24 points, including 4 in HL Chemistry
Irish / Scottish Highers	Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4, including Chemistry Scottish Highers: CCDD including Chemistry
Access requirements	Access to HE Diploma (Science) – Pass overall (must include Chemistry at Level 3)
T Level	T Level Diploma will be considered alongside A Level Chemistry
OCR Cambridge Technicals	OCR Extended Diploma will be considered alongside A Level Chemistry
Extra Information	Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs. If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree.

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Staying loyal to our 'minimum additional costs' philosophy, the Faculty covers, in full, the following costs:

Core textbooks for the first year
Software licences provided for academic use
All PPE equipment provided by the Faculty
Lab coats, safety glasses, ear defenders, steel toe cap boots, etc. as required
UK field trips and other educational visits
Photocopying/printing costs at annual allowance
Student membership of professional institutes

Apart from the costs mentioned above, your course may involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees, which may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

Who you'll Learn from

Noha Ziedan

Senior Lecturer, Programme Leader for BSc Chemistry

Dr Graham Spink

Senior Lecturer

Dr Gabriele Wagner

Senior Lecturer

Where you'll study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Modern learning resources and library

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Fitness facilities

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Accommodation

Catering

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all our students. Most students who study Chemistry with us enter the chemical industry, usually in positions that follow on from successful placements.

Our graduates are successful in industry as well as other sectors, such as finance and education. These are some of the roles our graduates have secured:

Formulation Scientist, Unilever
Atmospheric Chemist, University of Birmingham
Air Traffic Controller, Royal Air Force
Research and Development Scientist, Motrac Engineering Ltd
Chemistry Teacher, Cheshire

Progression Options

Many students choose to continue studying for an MSc or PhD.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service, which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course, and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Chemistry BSc (Hons)

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