Chemistry, BSc

Chemistry, BSc

Introduction

Chemistry is not just about chemicals in laboratories – chemistry touches every aspect of our daily lives. Chemistry is about understanding how matter changes and how these changes affect everything from the food we eat and air we breathe, to the medicines we take and the energy we use to power our homes, cars and phones.

  • Ranked 7th in the UK for Chemistry, Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
  • Ranked 1st in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction, National Student Survey 2021.

The brand-new Science Teaching Hub provides the latest high-tech teaching labs and equipment to support your learning and to help you develop industry-standard skills and techniques to launch your chemistry career.

Study Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
BSc
Duration
48 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
September
UCAS Code
F100
Pathway Programme Available
Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Chemistry is a core science that is not only the very essence of life, but is also concerned with the quality of life and its continuous improvement. It is often regarded as the central science, and a degree in chemistry provides a student with many key skills which can be used in many areas not necessarily restricted to the discipline.

Students who study chemistry at university go on to work in a wide range of highly rewarding careers, tackling the problems we face today in areas such as drug discovery, environmental protection, forensics, food and agriculture as well as academic careers in teaching or cutting-edge research.

Chemistry is also central to the transition to clean and sustainable energy and this programme will also provide you with the foundation for a career in developing battery and fuel cell technology, carbon capture technologies and also the hydrogen economy.

The BSc (Honours) degree is the traditional route to a qualification in chemistry. It involves four years of full time study (although direct entry into second year is possible for well qualified applicants, and all four years may be undertaken part time). BSc (Hons) graduates with first class or upper second class honours are eligible to continue to postgraduate research degrees, although most choose from the wide variety of employment options available to chemistry graduates.

Chemistry graduates are very employable because a degree in Chemistry opens up many opportunities in areas such as drug development, environmental protection, food chemistry, petroleum chemistry, forensic science and materials development.

There is also the option of complementing this degree with a wider range of skills through the MChem Chemistry programme.

The brand-new Science Teaching Hub provides the latest high-tech teaching labs and equipment to support your learning and to help you develop industry-standard skills and techniques to launch your chemistry career.

What You'll Study

Our teaching in the first two years aims to give a balanced treatment of all the main branches of the subject. In the third and fourth years we develop a selection of topics in more depth, and offer options which enable students to tailor their programmes to suit their own aptitudes and interests.

You will study introductory courses in chemistry, alongside other courses which need not necessarily be science related.

Compulsory Courses

Optional Courses

Select a further 60 credit points from courses of choice

NOTE: For students who do not hold a pass in Mathematics at Higher, A-level, or equivalent, they may wish to consider Mathematics for Sciences (MA1515).

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lab Work
  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

  • coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
  • practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
  • written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Chemistry?

  • The brand-new Science Teaching Hub provides the latest high-tech teaching labs and equipment to support your learning and to help you develop industry-standard skills and techniques to launch your chemistry career.
  • We are ranked 7th in the UK for Chemistry, Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and 1st in Scotland for Overall Student Satisfaction, National Student Survey
  • Our teaching is informed by cutting-edge research at the forefront of human health, clean energy technology and materials and we have a number of spin-out companies such as TauRx Phamaceuticals, who specialise in Alzheimer's research.
  • A feature of our MChem programme is a final year 4 month research project placement in the area of specialisation, usually at a university, research institute or industrial laboratory.
  • In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, published in 2014, the report found that Aberdeen had the largest research impact in Scotland, with over 80% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. Your fourth or fifth-year project will be placed alongside these PhD and post-doctoral scientists, giving you first-hand experience of world-class research work.
  • With industry-standard equipment housed in our state-of-the-art teaching facilities, our students are given all the tools they need to immediately enter the workforce, using technology and techniques that will feel immediately familiar once they start their career.
  • The University of Aberdeen has a long history of excellence in Chemistry, with two Nobel Prize winners and an academic staff that includes some of the most experienced chemists in the UK.
  • We pride ourselves on our sense of community, with students and staff collaborating on real-world research projects. The active student-run Chemistry Society also allows you to develop skills and make connections outside of the classroom.
  • Students who study chemistry at university go on to work in a wide range of highly rewarding careers, tackling the problems we face today in areas such as drug discovery, energy, environmental protection, forensics, food and agriculture as well as academic careers in teaching or cutting-edge research. Chemistry graduates also work in sectors such as banking and IT, where their analytical and problem-solving skills are in high demand.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

View the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.


General Entry Requirements

SQA Highers

Standard: BBBB*

Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.

Minimum: BBC

Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.

Adjusted: BB

Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.

We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher.

Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

* Including good performance in Chemistry and one other Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

A LEVELS

Standard: BBB*

Minimum: BBC*

Adjusted: CCC*

* Including good performance in Chemistry and one other Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL*.

* Including good performance in Chemistry and one other Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.

Irish Leaving Certificate

5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 OR AAABB*, obtained in a single sitting. (B must be at B2 or above)

* Including good performance in Chemistry and one other Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.

The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.


English Language Requirements

To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

International Applicants who do not meet the Entry Requirements

The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for undergraduate study. Discover your foundation pathway here.

Fees and Funding

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

Fee information
Fee category Cost
RUK £9,535
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
EU / International students £24,800
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme - See full terms and conditions
Home Students £1,820
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year

Additional Fees

  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

Scholarships and Funding

UK Scholarship

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.

Funding Database

View all funding options in our Funding Database.

Careers

A degree in Chemistry will prepare you for a career in Chemistry, but it can also be a stepping stone to many other opportunities. Chemistry graduates are very employable due to the breadth of career opportunities in many areas, such as:

  • drug development
  • environmental protection
  • food chemistry
  • petroleum chemistry
  • forensic science
  • materials development
  • business

Our chemistry graduates have found employment with a number of top companies, including:

  • Halliburton
  • Subsea 7
  • BP
  • Cairn Energy
  • Synergy
  • Statoil
  • Shell

Find out more about careers in chemistry from the Royal Society of Chemistry

Career Opportunities

  • Doctoral Researcher
  • Graduate Scientist
  • Graduate Trainee Analytical Chemist
  • Polymer Technician
  • Scientific English Tutor

Accreditation

This degree holds accreditation from

Image for useful fact about this Degree

World-leading research

95% of Chemistry research at Aberdeen was ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent by REF 2021.

What our Alumni Say

Kirstie Rickaby

Kirstie Rickaby

Kirstie Rickaby

Job Details
PhD Student
Graduated 2015

There are areas of chemistry which are closer to physics and some closer to biology and some closer to maths- I like that there’s something to suit all tastes and lots of opportunities to transition into other areas.

Our Experts

Our courses in chemistry are taught by experts in their field. Your teachers will include, among others:

Director of Undergraduate Teaching
Dr Peter Henderson

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Features

Image for Chemistry Student Society
Chemistry Student Society

Chemistry Student Society

Student-led social and employability events and seminars.

Image for Learn from research active staff
Learn from research active staff

Learn from research active staff

Example - Two Chemistry teams at Aberdeen have developed a revolutionary new method for creating a new class of therapeutic drugs, called macrocycles, which are complex to create and can address a large number of poorly treated conditions.

Find out more
Image for Science Teaching Hub
Science Teaching Hub

Science Teaching Hub

Our brand-new Science Teaching Hub provides the latest laboratory, instruments and digital technology skills to support your learning and ensure you gain industry-standard experience to launch your chemistry career.

Find out more

Discover Uni

Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.

80%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for Chemistry (Full time) at University of Aberdeen, over two years

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX

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