Chemistry with Foundation Year
Entry requirements
32 to 48 UCAS Points - Minimum 2 A Levels to include a Grade E in a relevant science subject: Chemistry, Maths, Use of Maths, Physics, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science, Engineering, Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science, Science and the Environment, Psychology, Design Technology, Economics.
Considered in combination
Pass Science based Access course Must have GCSE Maths and English at grade C /4 or above
Considered in combination
Accepted in combination
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
to include a Higher Level in a science subject. Maths and English accepted within
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a relevant science subject
Considered in combination
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a relevant science subject
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a relevant science subject
Considered in combination
Considered in combination with Advanced Highers
T Level
Pass (D or E on the core) 72 points or above. Any subjects related to Science/Engineering/Health
UCAS Tariff
Minimum 2 A Levels to include a Grade E in a relevant science subject: Chemistry, Maths, Use of Maths, Physics, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science, Engineering, Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science, Science and the Environment, Psychology, Design Technology, Economics.
Accepted in combination
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
If you are interested in chemistry but don’t have the qualifications to apply for a degree, this could be the pathway for you. Build your skills and knowledge on this new four year degree route, which incorporates a foundation year. Successful completion of the foundation year will enable you to progress onto Year 1 of our chemistry degree.
You’ll graduate with in-demand skills for a range of career paths, from research and development in the pharmaceutical industry and lab-based roles in the food and energy industries, to positions in the science, engineering, healthcare, environmental or technology sectors. You will stand out from the crowd with professional recognition through our accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
* Benefit from award-winning teaching in small groups and be inspired by staff who are world-leading researchers.
* Hone your practical problem-solving skills in our newly-refurbished laboratories, kitted out with the latest analytical instrumentation.
* Our tutorial system ensures that you receive the support and guidance you need to reach your full potential.
* 70% of assessment based on coursework.
* Experience chemistry in the real world and boost your employability by taking a work-based placement project in your final year, or working alongside PhD and post-doctoral researchers in our high specification laboratories.
* Graduate with in-demand skills for a range of career paths, from research and development in the pharmaceutical industry and lab-based roles in the food and energy industries, to positions in the science, engineering, healthcare, environmental or technology sectors.
* The foundation year is an integral part of the extended degree. Completion of the foundation year will not lead to a separate award or qualification its own right but will provide access to Year 1 of your degree.
* Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the professional body representing chemistry in the UK.
- In the Guardian University Guide 2021 league tables: Chemistry ranked 14th out of 53 in the Guardian University Guide 2021 league tables. Chemistry came top in ‘satisfied with feedback’. Joint 2nd in both ‘satisfied with teaching’ and the ‘value-added score’ and 6th on ‘satisfied with the course’.
Modules
We introduce you to the world of chemistry, applying the principles across a wide subject area. We focus on practical, hands-on learning. You will also gain study and mathematical skills for science - from scientific writing and time management to mathematical skills and independent study.
The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website
Assessment methods
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.
The Uni
University of Plymouth
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
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.
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
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Top job areas of graduates
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.
£21k
£25k
£26k
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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Course location and department:
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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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?
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