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Chemistry (with placement year)

Entry requirements


A level

A,B,B

ABB including Chemistry and preferably one other Science or Maths

Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 Credits overall including 45 at Level 3. Please obtain: Distinctions in all Chemistry Units and Merit in all other Units.

This qualification is accepted in combination with other qualifications. For details please contact Loughborough University

We recognise the benefit of the Extended Project in developing independent research and critical thinking skills. We would consider this as evidence of motivation to study a specific subject in more depth, and while we do not generally include it as part of our offer conditions, it may be used to further consider an application upon receipt of final examination results. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English Language Grade C/4

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34

34 (6,5,5 HL) including HL Chemistry and preferably one other science or Maths at HL.

We accept a wide range of international qualifications for entry as outlined on our website – please view the individual course typical offers on our website and choose Ireland in the Country/region drop down field for more information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma Grades Distinction Distinction plus A Level Chemistry Grade B. Preferred subject: Applied Science.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

D

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate Grade Distinction plus A Level Grades BB including Chemistry. Preferred subject: Applied Science.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDM

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science: DDM to include optional modules 13, 14, 18 and 19. Preferred Subject: Applied Science

Scottish Advanced Higher

A,B

AB including Chemistry, plus Highers at majority B grades.

For 2024 entry, the following T Levels are currently being considered on a case by case basis. More information can be found on our website at https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Applicants taking the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma will be asked to achieve the A level requirements for their course as part of their qualification. The Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted alongside two A levels providing individual course entry and subject requirements are met. www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

UCAS Tariff

104-128

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

4years

Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Chemistry

This BSc degree course in pure chemistry opens up the fascinating world of chemistry, providing you with plenty of hands-on practical experience and flexible module choice - taught in our outstanding state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

Chemistry powers many aspects of our lives, from the clean water we drink to the air we breathe. The materials we use in our everyday lives, much of the food we eat, and the energy that runs our homes, schools and workplaces we owe to the work of chemists. Chemistry is a vibrant, fascinating subject that enhances our understanding of the natural and physical world and often provides the key to solving global challenges. This is why chemistry students can go on to make a real difference in the world, tackling issues like climate change, hunger and disease.

At Loughborough, our BSc (Hons) degree in Chemistry provides a comprehensive study of the subject with the opportunity to tailor the course in your final year through a range of optional modules. Throughout your undergraduate studies you will gain practical hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art STEMLab facilities - gaining highly developed lab skills in the process.

As your knowledge of chemistry grows, you will also develop analytical and problem-solving skills that have value in a wide variety of employment contexts. Our placement scheme gives you the opportunity to gain highly sought-after workplace experience and apply what you have learnt in a real job with real responsibilities, often working with major companies and organisations (for example, GlaxoSmithKline, RB, Lubrizol, and Pirelli). You could also broaden your horizons with a year studying abroad.

Our Department of Chemistry prides itself on offering our students high levels of pastoral support, a peer-mentoring scheme, and the compelling insights of our renowned academic staff, many of whom are active in research with far-reaching impact.

In Years 1 and 2 the main areas of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry form the backbone of the BSc Chemistry degree, with additional modules in spectroscopy, analytical chemistry, and mathematics. Laboratory classes, workshops and seminars support these lectures. After Year 2, the development of core chemistry continues along with optional topics which include drug synthesis and action, advanced analytical research methodologies, energy and equilibria, and inorganic chemistry.

In the final year of your Chemistry degree you will study research techniques and methods that are complemented with further advanced modules in chemistry. Two investigative projects, often working in teams, are undertaken - building your research skills and team working abilities.

What's the difference between MChem and BSc?
Both the Chemistry BSc (Hons) degree and the Chemistry MChem (Hons) degree are orientated towards the practice of chemistry in the world outside the University. Our 3 (or 4 year sandwich) BSc equips you for employment in chemistry, scientific and other sectors. The 4 (or 5 year sandwich) MChem is suited for students who may wish to pursue a PhD or a career in industrial research.

Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

Assessment methods

You are assessed by examination and coursework. Depending on the module, coursework may include written laboratory reports, oral presentations, poster presentations, research papers, peer review and dissertations.

Your BSc degree classification will be determined by the weighted average of marks obtained in Years 2 and 3 in the ratio 40:60.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

England
£9,250
per year
EU
£27,250
per year
International
£27,250
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Loughborough University

Department:

Chemistry

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

96%
Chemistry

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Chemistry

Teaching and learning

81%
Staff make the subject interesting
96%
Staff are good at explaining things
81%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
89%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

96%
Library resources
94%
IT resources
92%
Course specific equipment and facilities
79%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

94%
UK students
6%
International students
60%
Male students
40%
Female students
88%
2:1 or above
5%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Chemistry

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£22,000
med
Average annual salary
94%
med
Employed or in further education
73%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

18%
Natural and social science professionals
17%
Science, engineering and production technicians
7%
Business, research and administrative professionals

Chemistry graduates are in demand from a wide range of industries, from the food, oil, chemicals and pharmaceuticals to consultancy, technical analysis and teaching. They're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills — anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. If you want a career in research, you need a doctorate, so start planning now if you fancy one of these exciting and challenging jobs - but good students can usually get grants to take a doctorate, so don't worry about the financing if you think you have what it takes. The recession wasn’t too kind to chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists), but things are getting back to normal for this flexible group and it's one of the few degrees that is bucking the current trend and increasing graduate numbers.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Chemistry

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£23k

£23k

£27k

£27k

£36k

£36k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here