Chemistry forms part of our everyday lives. Study it to better understand what things are made of and how stuff works, and make a difference to the world we live in.
Through chemistry we’ve made great discoveries, such as penicillin and pasteurisation, and made the modern world possible with inventions including plastic and lithium-ion batteries.
Chemical scientists are leading research on the world’s most pressing concerns, including challenges around human health, climate change, and energy. There are job opportunities in many sectors, including medicine research, manufacturing, and education.
You could enter a professional or managerial role once you’ve graduated, or go on to further study.ther study.
The impact you could make
- Conduct tests and experiments that pioneer new medicine, technologies, and discoveries.
- Further develop renewable energy technology like solar energy and car batteries.
- Enrol on a postgraduate course to become a nuclear engineer, helping the UK or other countries reach their nuclear power goals.
What you could study
- Chemical lab skills
- Medicinal and biological chemistry
- Molecular pharmacology
- Physical chemistry
- Solid state chemistry
- Mathematical skills for chemists
- Computational chemistry
Chat to a current chemistry student
Chat to a current chemistry student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Example module
"Medicinal chemistry, the use of metals in medicine, and of course laboratory skills for chemists. Once a week, going into the lab really helps me have a productive, interactive learning day."
Second year pharmaceutical chemistry student, University of Reading
Example project
"The analytical chemistry research task, where I was asked to investigate the best way to analyse concentrations of certain chemicals in coffee to then determine its quality."
Second year chemistry with medicinal sciences student, University of Southampton
Chemistry
Maths
Biology
Physics
Hard skills you'll develop
- Laboratory and experimentation work
- Independent research projects
- Placements and industry experience
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communication
- Research and observation
- Analytical and reasoning skills
- Presentation skills
Available jobs
23,746 vacancies in the past year
4.61% growth over next eight years
Average salary
£34,067
Up to £56,981
What is a…. colour technologist?
Colour technologists often work in a chemical lab or workshop, developing and testing new dyes and pigments for use in things like paints, textiles, printing inks, cosmetics, and medical products. They tend to work in the manufacturing industry, and will develop and record the processes that make sure a colour can be reproduced accurately, it’s durable, and it doesn’t run when put in the wash or under other similar conditions. Colour technologists are also sometimes referred to as colour scientists or textile dyeing technicians or technologists.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study chemistry at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from chemistry applicants.
A levels
AAB
Scottish Highers
AAABB
Vocational
BTEC: DDM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
Chemistry is in everything you see, smell, taste, and use. As a chemical scientist you could be developing life-changing medicines, influencing how things you touch and wear are made, or finding sustainable solutions for the pressures on energy, food, and water in our lives. From sports science and aerospace engineering to art conservation and patent law, there’s a huge range of career opportunities that open up to you when you study the chemical sciences. Your chemistry journey could end up changing the world.
Katie discusses social life, work-life balance, and what day-to-day life is like as a science apprentice with representatives from GSK, Unilever, and Manchester Metropolitan University.
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Brought to you by chemistry podcast
Listen to this podcast, made by the Royal Society of Chemistry, which features experts talking about some of the chemical challenges facing our society, like air quality and pollution. -
TED Talk – How green hydrogen could end the fossil fuel era
Listen to Earthshot Prize winner, Vaitea Cowan, talk about how she and her team mass produce electrolzyers (which split water into hydrogen and oxygen), helping to make carbon-free fuel. Browse TED’s selection of talks on chemistry too. -
New Scientist magazine
Lots of news articles and features about chemical science and research that’s happening right now.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- Demonstrate your natural curiosity and analytical skills. What field trips or holidays have you been on that ignited your passion for chemistry? When have you dug further into a topic or object because you wanted to know how something worked, or what it was made of?
- Show you understand about lab work and workshops too, whether through school experiments, work experience, or at home. Can you think of something you tested and what you learned from the results?
- What do you want to do with your degree? Show you understand the industry by mentioning organisations or publications you follow, and what you’ve learned about what jobs you might do with this subject.
- Illustrate how you can be self-motivated, whether that’s studying for your exams, pursing a hobby, or getting an after-school club started, for example.
- Consider other skills you can demonstrate too, like teamwork and/or presentation skills. Are you part of a sports or other team? Have you given a presentation at school, or in another setting?