Chemistry BSc
University Of Leicester, United Kingdom
First Year Course Fee
USD 29,145
Course Accredited By
RSC
Chemistry is the fundamental cornerstone for many economically important industries today, creating a demand for high quality chemistry graduates. The constant desire for innovation, new products and new solutions continually drives forward research and development. By studying the interaction of molecules, their structure and properties, we learn vital information about the world we live in and this offers opportunities to find answers to many of the problems we, as a society, face today.
- If you choose to study for a BSc or MChem degree in Chemistry, you will find it is an incredibly exciting science, with substantial hands-on practical work. You will graduate with the skills and expertise that may lead you to make new discoveries. These discoveries can result in advances in many important fields such as health and medicine, energy and the environment, materials and technology or food and agriculture. As a chemistry graduate you will have a diverse range of career options open to you.
- The Department of Chemistry at Leicester is one of the best in the UK for both teaching and research. We have a reputation as a friendly, supportive department that produces highly trained graduates with skills valued by employers. This is because we offer high quality courses that are designed to give you a wide range of employment opportunities, and are carefully structured to ensure you will cover all the relevant topics.
- Whichever degree you study, you will always benefit from our excellent teaching, our well-equipped laboratories, our high-quality welfare provision and academic support. You will also reap the benefits of the cutting-edge research being carried out in the department by our academics – the same academics who teach you.
- Our specialist research areas include atmospheric chemistry, chemical biology, materials and interfaces, spectroscopy and dynamics, and sustainable synthesis and catalysis. You can be sure of learning about the very latest breakthroughs in each area throughout your course. In your final year, you will carry out your own personal research project, working under one of our academic staff and applying the knowledge and practical skills which you have gained on the course – placing you at the cutting-edge of chemistry research.
What's the difference?
- Study for a BSc and you will receive rigorous training in chemistry and related, transferable skills – which will put you in a strong position to apply for a range of different employment sectors. Or you may want to continue your studies by applying for a Masters degree (MSc).
- If you specifically want to find work as a chemist, whether in industry or the public sector, you should consider an MChem. The extra depth of experience and knowledge you will gain is valued by prospective employers that use chemical processes, and will keep you competitive in the job market against graduates who may have studied for the longer degrees taught in some European countries. Alternatively, an MChem provides a solid basis for progressing to a PhD.
- Each of our MChem degrees share a common first two years with the respective BSc, during which you can switch between them (transfer from BSc to MChem is subject to satisfactory progress). Both the MChem and BSc degrees are taught and assessed to the same high standards. The difference is one of content, not quality.
Also please note that the Year Abroad option is not available on our BSc degrees.
Scholarship
- Citizens of Change 100 Scholarship - Anyone holding an offer of a place at Leicester - 50% fee reduction in first yea
- Science and Engineering International Merit Scholarship - International-fee-paying students applying for an undergraduate degree in the University of Leicester College of Science and Engineering - £3,000 or £5,000 per yea
- Family Loyalty Discount - Any child, sibling or spouse of a Leicester student or graduate - 10% fee discount
- Media, Communications and Sociology International Merit Scholarship - International-fee-paying students applying for an undergraduate degree in the University of Leicester School of Media, Communications and Sociology - £3,000 or £5,000 per yea
- Music scholarships - Talented musicians/singers at Grade 6 or above - £500
- Sports scholarships - Students who compete at regional, national or international level - Facilities, coaching and financial support
- ULSB International Merit Scholarship - Students applying for a degree in the University of Leicester School of Business, starting September 2022 or later - £3,000 per year
Enrollment Cycles
- January 2024
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: AAB-ABB including Chemistry. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level
EPQ with A-levels: ABB-BBB EPQ at grade B - GCSE: Grade B/5 Maths (if Maths or Physics not held at A/AS-level)
- Access to HE Diploma (Science): Pass Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction. To include 15 credits at Distinction in Chemistry Level 3 modules. If you don't have A-level Chemistry you will need to take an entrance exam - please contact Admissions
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30-32 points (with grade 5 in Higher Level Chemistry)
- BTEC Nationals: BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science with D*DD. If you don't have A-level Chemistry you will need to take an entrance exam - please contact Admissions
- Please note: If you are not studying Chemistry at A-level, you will need to take a Chemistry assessment test.
- Other national and international qualifications considered.
- If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for:
- International Foundation Year – Engineering and Technology run by the Global Study Centre. This course is for international students whose academic and/or English results fall just below those required for direct entry to year one of the degree.
- Chemistry with Foundation Year BSc run by the School of Chemistry. This course is for all students whose academic and/or English results fall just below those required for direct entry to year one of the degree.
- Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Selection Process
- When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
- Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the department.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
Year 1
- You will be introduced to the fundamental concepts and basic practical elements of chemistry, all of which will give you the solid chemistry foundation required to complete your degree.
Modules
- General Chemistry
- Introductory Organic Chemistry
- Introductory Inorganic Chemistry
- Introductory Physical Chemistry
- Introductory Practical Chemistry
- Chemistry Key Skills and Maths
- Scientific Method and Principles of Analytical Chemistry
- Chemistry of the Real World
- This is the same as the first year of the MChem.
NB. It is possible to switch at the end of the first year from a degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry to this regular Chemistry degree, but transferring in the other direction is not possible because of the specialised modules taught on that course. So if you like the sound of Pharmaceutical Chemistry but you're not completely certain that's where you want to go, you should apply for the specialised degree and then consider your options at the end of Year 1.
Year 2
- During this year you will extend the foundation knowledge from your first year and begin to gain more advanced and specialised practical skills. You will also consider how chemistry and scientific advancements are communicated to wider audiences, a vital skill when applying for a job or research funding.
Modules
- Spectroscopy Theory and Practice
- Organic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Practical Chemistry and Key Skills (double module)
- Analytical Chemistry in Practice
- Polymer and Materials Chemistry
- This is the same as the second year of the MChem.
Final Year
- You will spend your final year honing your practical skills and gaining a more complex understanding of chemistry. You will have acquired all the necessary skills and information to be able to pursue a research project of your own.
Core modules
- Advanced Organic Chemistry
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- BSc General Paper and Key Skills
- BSc Project Practical
- BSc Project Report
Option modules
Choose three option modules from:
- Advanced Physical Chemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Metals in Synthesis
- Advanced Analytical Chemistry
- Advanced Materials Chemistry
- You must take either Advanced Physical Chemistry or Advanced Analytical Chemistry.
Year in Industry (optional)
- If you want to, you can spend your third year working in an industrial placement (eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2). Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years.
NB. A year spent on an industrial placement still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See our Fees and Funding section for details.
- You will carry out a year long project in the research and development section of your host company, such as developing new drugs or exploring new analytical techniques for testing the purity of petroleum products.
- In addition to getting paid, throughout your industrial placement you will have all the same entitlements as other employees in the company. Salaries vary but the average is around £15,000-17,000 per year.
- Recent host employers include: GlaxoSmithKline, Astra Zeneca, 3M, BASF, the Ministry of Defence, Lubrizol and Reckitt Benckiser.
UK and EU
Students Starting in 2021
- The University of Leicester has made the decision to keep fees for EU students at the same level as UK student fees for this year, despite this no longer being a UK Government requirement. £9,250 in your first year.
- Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years Year in Industry: your fee will be 15% of the full-time tuition fee that applies in that year If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £2,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.