London, Bloomsbury

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Chemistry BSc (2024), click here

This three-year programme offers a complete education in chemistry, covering all the important areas of the subject while also allowing you to take optional modules in other areas such as life sciences, mathematics, management and languages.

For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 33 credits at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Please note, where subject specific requirements are stipulated at A level we will review your Access to HE syllabus to ensure you meet the subject specific requirements prior to a final decision being communicated.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics. Biology, Physics and Mathematics preferred as third subject.

AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher). A in Chemistry and A in at least one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics required at Advanced Higher. Biology, Physics and Mathematics preferred as third subject.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A levels at grades AAA, including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who don’t have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.

Chemistry is offered either as a three-year BSc or as a four-year MSci. The first two years of study are identical, so you can defer which to opt for until the end of your second year. We advise you to select the four-year MSci programme initially as this keeps more options open.

In the first year, all students will be exposed to the full breadth of chemistry with an emphasis on developing core chemical skills. You will also take modules in mathematics appropriate to your prior qualification, together with further optional modules.

In the second year, the three main themes of chemistry are again developed in individual modules, leaving you free to choose two options, which can be either chemical or non-chemical.

In the third year you will undertake more research focussed activities in the laboratory classes and also explore a current topic in the scientific literature, writing a review and presenting your work. In addition to the core modules in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry you will have scope to develop your own interests through the selection of chemistry and non-chemistry optional modules.

Consistently regarded as one of the best Chemistry departments in the UK (ranked 4th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Chemistry), we offer you an excellent education with high standards of teaching.

You will benefit from our outstanding research profile as you are taught by lecturers who are experts in an array of chemistry-related fields.

The wide range of optional modules enables you to develop your interests both within and outside chemistry, giving you a broad skills and knowledge base to offer potential employers.

We offer access to state-of-the-art facilities, enhanced by our strong affiliation to other centres of excellence such as the London Centre for Nanotechnology.

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Chemistry is offered either as a three-year BSc or a four-year MSci. The first two years are identical, so you can defer which to opt for until the end of your second year. We advise selecting the MSci programme initially as this keeps more options open.

In the first year, you will take several compulsory modules including Chemical Foundations. This serves to consolidate A level (or equivalent) Chemistry and generate an awareness of modern chemistry. You will also select one optional module and take a module in mathematics that is appropriate to your ability.

In the second year, the main themes of chemistry (Physical, Inorganic and Organic) are developed in compulsory modules, leaving you free to choose two options, one of which can be selected from options outside of chemistry.

In the third year you will have scope to develop your own interests with optional modules. Other compulsory modules include ‘Synthesis and Characterisation’ and ‘Instrumentation and Computation’ and a literature project.

Your learning will combine lectures, practical classes, group workshops and online material, guided reading, and your own personal study.  In addition, you will attend small group tutorials which provide specialised support for the core modules. You will encounter several innovative blended learning experiences which ensure that the contact time we have with you is engaging, interactive and productive.

Typical contact hours with teaching staff for Chemistry degree programmes are ~20 hours per week. These hours will consist of lectures (typically 8 hours per week), tutorials and workshops (typically 4 hours per week) and laboratory classes (typically 8 hours per week). The exact number of contact hours and composition varies throughout the term and at different points during the degree programme. In addition to timetabled sessions students are expected to undertake approximately 15-20 hours of independent study per week.

Your learning will be assessed using a variety of methods including end-of-year examinations, laboratory reports, problem sheets, essays, posters, and presentations.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

On completion of your degree, you will have the option of pursuing a career within the chemical industry. This is recognised as one of the most exciting and successful contributors to the UK economy in numerous areas such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.

This programme prepares you to continue in research including PhDs at universities such as UCL, Imperial, Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, Harvard, and NUS Singapore. The knowledge and skills gained on the programme can also be used in fields including  management, the financial sector, information technology, scientific journalism, patent law, the civil service, and education.

As a UCL Chemistry graduate you will have developed both discipline-based and highly sought after analytical skills, for example in logical thought and numeracy.

The Chemistry BSc has been accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) as partially meeting the learning requirements for the award of Chartered Chemist (CChem). Graduates have straightforward access to professional development programmes leading to chartered status.

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2024/25 academic year. The UK fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2024/25 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Students on this programme have free access to electronic copies of over 100 textbooks and free laboratory coats.

This programme does not have any additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying. 

A guide including rough estimates for these and other living expenses is included on the UCL Fees and funding pages. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

UCL Chemistry offers a number of scholarships which will be advertised on the departmental website as appropriate.

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.

We are looking for applicants who have demonstrated an interest in the chemical sciences and shown the self-motivation to learn more about the subject. Academic performance is important, but we also would like to see evidence that applicants have used their own initiative to broaden their knowledge and experience of chemistry.

Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

All applicants will be invited to attend an online admissions event where they can ask questions of staff and current undergraduate students and find out more about the different degree programmes that we offer. Offer holders will be invited to in-person open day events where they will meet staff and students and will be able to see all the facilities on site at the UCL Department of Chemistry. While attendance at either of these events is not compulsory, they do provide an excellent opportunity to get to know the department and UCL and allow you to make an informed decision about your application.

admissions.chem@ucl.ac.uk

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