Get degree ideas using our A level explorer tool

Chemistry

Entry requirements


Access to HE Diploma

D:15

An Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents; Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents.

UCAS Tariff

112-120

From A levels including 32 points in Chemistry or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (including suitable Chemistry modules). We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types. For example: DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science with relevant chemistry modules (please include units on application). BTEC Diploma in Applied Science D*D with relevant chemistry modules alongside other level 3 study. Merit overall from a T level qualification with B from core. T level Science: Laboratory Technician Pathway only. A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels or EPQ.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Chemistry

**Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.**

**Course summary**
- Develop real-world chemistry problem-solving skills in the context of biological, environmental, materials and pharmaceutical science.

- Gain experience of industrially-relevant analytical instrumentation, modern synthetic techniques and application of computing in chemistry.

- Take the opportunity to complete a work placement – either in the UK or abroad.

- Transfer onto an MChem route for a specialist year of research intensive study working alongside our internationally recognised researchers

Chemistry impacts everything around you. This course will give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to be part of exciting scientific developments that affect all areas of life.

**How you learn**
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

Throughout the course you will develop practical skills in our state-of-the-art laboratories. You will learn underlying theories that support chemistry – alongside the data analysis, project design and management skills required to be an independent scientist.

In years 1 and 2 you will gain a breadth of knowledge in physical, organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry. In your final year you have a choice of modules which will allow you to specialise in a specific area of chemistry.

You learn through:

- core lectures and workshops

- practical lab sessions

- small group academic tutorials

- field trips

- project work

**Applied learning - Work placements**
You have the opportunity to apply for a year-long work placement between your second and third year – either in the UK or abroad. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. In previous years students have obtained placements in pharmaceutical and materials chemical industries, scientific recruitment agencies and in education. By securing a placement with one of our industry partners, you will enter the jobs market with a CV that attracts employer attention.

Completion of a year-long work placement will allow you to achieve an Advanced Professional Diploma alongside your degree.

**Research Project**
During your final year you will combine the skills and knowledge you have gained to undertake a specialist research project working alongside an expert in your chosen subject area. Opportunities are available for both lab and non lab-based science projects allowing you the flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest.

**Field trips**
Students have benefited from a European field trip to world renowned chemical research facilities. The trip included tours of the facilities, seminars and discussions with leading chemists, as well as exposure to the culture of the region. The majority of the cost for this trip was covered by the university.

**Networking opportunities**
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) will help you to connect with the wider chemistry community. Representatives and staff from Sheffield Hallam’s Chemistry Society (ChemSoc) sit on the committee for the local section of the RSC – so they will keep you up to date with the latest local and national chemistry events.

**Competitions**
Each year students have the opportunity to showcase their project work to the department of Biosciences and Chemistry, and in the final year at a national chemistry conference gaining invaluable skills in presenting to the scientific community.

Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

**Year 1**

**Compulsory modules**

Applied Topics In Chemistry
Core Concepts In Chemistry
Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists
Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists
Principles Of Chemical Analysis

**Year 2**

**Compulsory modules**

Applications Of Analytical Science
Applying Professional Skills For Scientists
Developing Professional Skills For Scientists
Inorganic, Physical And Materials Chemistry
Organic And Biosynthetic Chemistry

**Year 3**

**Compulsory modules**

Placement Year For Biosciences And Chemistry

**Final year**

**Compulsory modules**

Advanced Chemical Synthesis
Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists
Chemistry For Future Global Challenges
Research Project

**Elective modules**

Advanced Analytical Science
Applications Of Data Science
Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery

Assessment methods

Coursework, Exams, Practical

Tuition fees

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

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£16,655
per year
International
£16,655
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

Extra funding

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

The Uni


Course location:

Sheffield Hallam University

Department:

College of Health Wellbeing and Life Sciences

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.

86%
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

93%
Staff make the subject interesting
93%
Staff are good at explaining things
93%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
80%
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

79%
Library resources
93%
IT resources
93%
Course specific equipment and facilities
73%
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?

100%
UK students
0%
International students
58%
Male students
42%
Female students
100%
2:1 or above
12%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
B
C

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.

£20,000
med
Average annual salary
96%
med
Employed or in further education
67%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

14%
Teaching and educational professionals
12%
Science, engineering and production technicians
10%
Natural and social science 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.

£22k

£22k

£26k

£26k

£30k

£30k

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.

Explore these similar courses...

Share this page

This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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