University of Reading
Chemistry BSc (Hons)
University of Reading

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Overall student satisfaction
80 /100
10 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Chemistry

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Chemistry at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £27000 £24500 £29000
25-75 percentile range £24000 - £28000 £21000 - £31000 £24000 - £36500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Chemistry

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26087 £25084 £30411
25-75 percentile range £23037 - £30143 £20483 - £31674 £24333 - £37866

Course Description

This BSc Chemistry degree offers you a broad education in chemistry and provides you with the skills to succeed in a range of professions.

This degree provides solid training in chemistry and equips you with key transferable skills. You will spend your first two years learning the core subjects that all chemists need to know. Topics include trends in the periodic table, carbonyl group chemistry and chemical kinetics. You will be taught by internationally leading experts through a combination of lectures, lab classes, workshops and tutorials.

If you do not have an A level in Maths, you will take our first year Maths for Chemists module which covers all the topics you will need for Chemistry. Depending on your level of maths, you may have the opportunity to take an option from outside the Department.

In your final year you will study more advanced topics influenced by the cutting-edge chemistry taking place around you. The Department's staff specialise in a number of areas including nanotechnology, synthesis, polymers and advanced materials, surface science and forensic analysis, providing a wide range of options for your final year research project. You will also have the opportunity to participate in academic research. and can work alongside our world-class researchers.

Additionally, if you are interested in teaching as a career, we offer a school-based project in your final year. Students spend one day a week for two terms working alongside both teachers and pupils on an individual project. This project gives you the necessary experience for teacher training applications and helps develop your professional skills for careers which involve working with people.

All our chemistry courses are very flexible and, depending on your grades, you can transfer between them at the end of your first or second year. All our courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Royal Society of Chemistry accredited degree

Placement

We have a dedicated placements officer who is able to advise on career options, CVs and letters of application, as well as to help you find a placement. We have previously sent students to companies such as Coty (Rimmel), Dow Corning and GSK. Students have also been placed at foreign research institutions such as the University of Zaragoza, Aarhus University, the University of South Australia and NASA.

Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Chemistry BSc (Hons) at University of Reading

15% Business and public service associate professionals
15% Natural and social science professionals
15% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Caring personal services
5% Skilled trades occupations
5% Media Professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Information Technology Professionals
5% Other Health Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

TOEFL (iBT) 88

We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking.

Cambridge English Advanced

We require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.

Cambridge English Proficiency

We require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.

PTE Academic 69

We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

Institution's Own Test

Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

Trinity ISE

We require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element.

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Chemistry, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Chemistry BSc (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £24500 year 1
International £24500 year 1

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of University of Reading in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Reading in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #25 
    • #31 
    Chemistry
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #40 
    Chemistry
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #401 
    Chemistry
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

See all 29 university rankings of University of Reading

About University of Reading

The University of Reading is a publicly funded university in Reading, Berkshire, England. Reading has four major campuses; London Road and Whiteknights campus which are located in Reading itself, with Greenlands campus being found on the banks of the River Thames. The fourth campus is known as Iskandar Puteri, in Malaysia.

List of 375 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Reading - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Reading

undergraduates:
11905
postgraduates:
3995
Total:
15900
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Where is this programme taught

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