-min.jpg)
- UCAS course code
- F100
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Overview
- Degree awarded
- BSc
- Duration
- 3 years
- Typical A-level offer
-
Grades AAA including chemistry plus one other science or maths subject.
- Typical contextual A-level offer
-
Grades AAB including an A in chemistry plus one other science or maths subject.Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Refugee/care-experienced offer
-
Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer
-
36 points overall. Grades 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects to include chemistry and one other science or mathematics.
Changes to International Baccalaureate Diploma Mathematics Courses from September 2019, first examination 2021. We are aware of the planned changes to the IB Mathematics curriculum. IB students will be able to choose from: Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation from September 2019.
For this programme of study we will accept either Mathematics: analysis and approaches or Mathematics: applications and interpretation at HL as the second science subject in addition to Chemistry HL.
- Number of places/applicants
- We receive approximately 1000 applications annually for 230 places in year 1.
- How to apply
- Apply through UCAS .
- UCAS course code
- F100
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course overview
- Study a common pathway across all three years, which allows transfer between the BSc and MChem up until Year 3.
- Study at a university ranked 4th in the UK and 6th in Europe for Chemistry (QS World University Rankings 2021).
- Take optional course units from across the Faculty and University.
- We're the most targeted university by the UK's leading graduate employers ( High Fliers Research 2020 )
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Open days
For details of the next University Undergraduate Open Days, please visit the main University website to register online. You can also view our Chemistry Virtual Open Day , and if you have any questions please just get in touch .
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2022 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £27,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances. For information about scholarships/bursaries/sponsorship please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's scholarships information .
Contact details
- Department
- Department of Chemistry
- Contact name
- Admissions Office
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 543 4021
- ug.chemistry@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- https://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty overview
-
Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality. Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
Grades AAA including chemistry and one other science or mathematics subject.
Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken.
Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.
Duration of A-level study
Your application will be considered against the standard selection process of your chosen course if you either:
a) sat your examinations early;
or
b) followed an accelerated curriculum and spent three years studying A-levels where the examinations were taken over two years.
If you are studying an advanced curriculum where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor for that subject.
AS-level
Subjects welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer
Unit grade information
The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
International Baccalaureate
36 points overall. Grades 6,6,6 in Higher Level subjects to include chemistry and one other science or mathematics.
Changes to International Baccalaureate Diploma Mathematics Courses from September 2019, first examination 2021. We are aware of the planned changes to the IB Mathematics curriculum. IB students will be able to choose from: Mathematics: analysis and approaches and Mathematics: applications and interpretation from September 2019.
For this programme of study we will accept either Mathematics: analysis and approaches or Mathematics: applications and interpretation at HL as the second science subject in addition to Chemistry HL.
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
Welsh Baccalaureate
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic Department(s) you plan to apply to.
European Baccalaureate
We normally require award of Baccalaureate with an average of 84% with at least 8.5 in chemistry and another science or mathematics, and at least 7.0 in English in a four periods per week.
AQA Baccalaureate
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme.
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme in Science and Engineering are required to achieve grades AAA to include Chemistry and another science or Mathematics and an EAP score of C without an acceptable IELTS qualification. INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester students are required to attend an interview.
Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year in Science and Engineering are required to achieve grades AAA to include Chemistry and another science or Mathematics and an EAP score of C without an acceptable IELTS qualification.
Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the academic Department to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.
Pearson BTEC qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma
The Department of Chemistry only accepts the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Qualifications in Applied Science . Please note that acceptability is dependent upon completing specific modules.
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma
The Biomedical Sciences pathway is not suitable for entry.
The Analytical and Forensic Science pathway is suitable, but the following specific modules must be completed:
- Group A Optional Units must include:
- Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
- Applications of Organic Chemistry
- Group B Optional Units must include:
- Industrial Chemical Reactions
We highly recommend students take the module in Practical Chemical Analysis in Group A
The Physical Science pathway is suitable, but following specific modules must be completed:
- Group A Optional Units must include:
- Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
- Industrial Chemical Reactions
- Group B Optional units must include:
- Applications of Organic Chemistry
We highly recommend students take the module in Practical Chemical Analysis in Group A
Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades DDD.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
Please refer to subject criteria for the Extended Diploma in Applied Science above. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades DD plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level or equivalent at grade A, preferably in chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma
Please refer to subject criteria for the Extended Diploma in Applied Science above. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with grade D plus additional level 3 qualifications such as two A Levels or equivalent at grade A to include chemistry and preferably one from physics, biology or mathematics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
Please refer to subject criteria for the Extended Diploma in Applied Science above. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with grade D plus additional level 3 qualifications such as two A Levels or equivalent at grade A to include chemistry and preferably one from physics, biology or mathematics.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and BTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new BTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic Department for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic Department(s) you plan to apply to.OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Qualifications (CTEC) may be considered alongside two A Levels or equivalent in Chemistry plus at least another science or mathematics. Entry requirements will depend upon the type of CTEC qualification being studied alongside the A Levels.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018).
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic Department(s) you plan to apply to.
Access to HE Diploma
We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.
The specific course requirements are 39 credits at Distinction, 15 of which should be in chemistry and 15 in another science (mathematics, physics or biology). We may request a copy of your modules.
Cambridge Pre-U
We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.
Conditional offers will be set on an individual basis but are likely to include achieving grade D3 in Principal Subjects. Where A Level chemistry plus another science or mathematics A Level are not taken, then Principal Subjects must include chemistry and at least another science from mathematics, physics or biology.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Core Maths
The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g. AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies).
Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.
We advise students to contact the academic Department, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
English language
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE English Language grade C (Grade 4 for applicants holding newly reformed GCSEs in England) or;
- IELTS - minimum 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component.
- TOEFL - minimum 90 with no subscore below 20 (internet-based) or;
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.
Additionally, our individual Departments may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.
Explore further information about our English Language policy , including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept.
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
Applicants to this course can change to any of our degree courses at any time up to the start of the academic year.
Mitigating circumstances may be personal or family illness, other family circumstances, change of teachers during a course, problems with school facilities or an unusual curriculum followed by your school or college. We recommend that information on mitigating circumstances that have affected or are likely to affect your academic performance will be included in the referee's report. We cannot usually take into account information that is supplied after an adverse decision has been made on an application by the admitting Department. If you encounter mitigating circumstances after you have submitted your application, please inform the admissions staff in the Department to which you applied as soon as possible.
Where mitigating circumstances have already been taken into account, for example by the relevant Exam Board, we will not be able to make further allowances.
How your application is considered
Applicants are considered on their predicted grades, a good academic reference, their personal statement and an interview.
The personal statement is your opportunity to tell the admissions team why we should offer you a place here at Manchester. It will be read by an academic and administrative member of staff. We will be looking for evidence of the following:
- the nature and extent of the interest in your chosen course;
- your motivation to study your course and potential to contribute to the teaching and learning environment within the Department;
- your academic ability and potential (what do you know about chemistry; what have you read about chemistry; how have you engaged with chemistry at school/college or independently; what aspects particularly interest you);
- we are also keen to hear about you - your interests, hobbies, extra-curricular experiences, career aspirations - and how these have prepared you for success on your chosen course.
All applicants should be aware that information provided in the personal statement may be used as the basis for further discussion during your interview with an academic member of staff.
Your academic reference will be read to ensure that we are aware of any mitigating circumstances to be taken into account when assessing your application.
Further information and advice on writing your personal statement and the UCAS application process can be found on our University website or the UCAS website .
Interview requirements
Overseas (non-UK) applicants
Deferrals
Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation. Deferred entry is granted on the discretion of admissions staff, and is normally granted for one year only and 2 years at the maximum. We normally also guarantee a place in the current year should the applicant's gap year plans change.
Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications
Policy for applicants who take their examinations in more than one sitting
Re-applications
Transfers
Course details
Course description
Choosing to study chemistry can open the door to an exciting range of career options. From practical scientist through research technologist to academic specialist, all can be reached, in part, through this contemporary, multi-disciplinary degree programme. Our innovative skills-based curriculum will give you the tools to succeed in your degree and our award-winning careers service will assist you in making choices for your future.
Our courses will equip you with an armoury of skills to take into the world of work, including the ability to analyse problems, to work collaboratively as part of a team, and to develop laboratory, numeracy and communication skills. You will gain an appreciation for a subject which links so many scientific disciplines through applications and examples as well as practical work and learning through research. In lectures the topics and examples you discuss will be taken from the latest research, much of which is carried out right here by the Department's academics.
BSc Chemistry offers you a three-year degree programme. The first two years follow a core structure, which allows greater flexibility in the third and final year.
Special features
You can extend your degree by a year to undertake an integrated master's or gain industrial experience/study abroad.
It's possible to broaden your degree by taking units from the University College and the Business and Management for all Programmes in exchange for a few units from your degree.
Foundation Year available
You can prepare for the full degree course if you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry by undertaking our foundation course first.
Flexibility to transfer between courses
It is generally possible to transfer between the various chemistry degrees we offer in years 1-3. This is subject to satisfactory academic performance and completion of the required pre-requisite modules.
Additional course information
Our student community
ChemSoc is a student-run society with the aim of giving chemistry students the complete experience whilst at The University of Manchester. The year begins with the infamous lab coat pub crawl and concludes with a fantastic annual ball! In between ChemSoc hosts socials alongside other societies, allowing your inner passion for your subject to come out and show everyone that chemistry is the best subject.
The society has two successful sports teams, football and netball, with the football team winning the league last year! Teams comprise of first years right through to PhD students, so you will be able to meet lots of new faces!
Besides the social side the society has reinvented its academic aspects; ChemSoc hosts research talks accessible to all students featuring our high level of research from Manchester. Finally, the society encourages students to think about their employability, and have worked closely with the Careers Service to run events throughout the year, such as a LinkedIn workshop.
Our blog
You can read about our students' experience in studying chemistry, work placement and study abroad diaries, as well as alumni profiles in our department blog .
Teaching and learning
- Lectures
- Small group tutorials
- Laboratory classes
- Group work
- Individual research projects
- Computer-based tuition - A range of ancillary mathematics, data handling, presentation and IT skills, and computer based chemistry are taught on the dedicated computer cluster.
- Workshops
- PASS session - student-led peer-assisted study sessions where second and third year students help you to develop learning strategies and techniques.
Personalised learning support
Chemistry at Manchester offers a high level of learning support. You'll have weekly tutorials in small groups of no more than 6.
You'll have three Academic Tutors, one each for Organic, Inorganic and Physical chemistry. You'll also be allocated a Personal Tutor to oversee your personal welfare - reflect on your academic and personal development, discuss future goals and agree action plans.
PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) and Peer Mentoring
We're proud of our innovative PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) and Peer Mentoring scheme. The PASS scheme provides additional support in the area of the current week's tutorial. It's entirely voluntary and second, third and fourth-year students help first years to tackle problems defined by the content of the current tutorial. The emphasis is on showing students how to think about the problems, how to develop problem-solving skills and how to get the most from the educational resources available.
Additional maths support
We offer additional Maths support to all our students. In Year 1 this is by means of a programme of online, self-directed study with weekly support clinics if you need additional support or advice.
Practical chemistry
Practical chemistry is important in all areas of the subject, and is a key part of all our programmes. Throughout your degree you'll carry out practical work in our modern well-equipped undergraduate laboratories, built to a high specification. Our practical courses are designed to provide experience of the wide range of chemical techniques for measurement and synthesis necessary for the study of modern chemistry. As well as providing the opportunity to do interesting chemistry our practical courses train students to work safely and effectively in the laboratory.
Coursework and assessment
- Assessment is by a mixture of traditional examinations, coursework, laboratory practical and workshops.Assessment methods vary widely to suit the nature of the course unit and each level of study.
- Examinations take place in January and May each year, with around one third of the marks from continuous assessment.
- The first year is a simple pass/fail, but from then on a percentage of each year's assessment counts towards your final degree classification.
- Lectures are usually assessed by written exam (multiple choice or essay-based), which are held at the end of an academic semester.
- Practical units are usually assessed by experimental report and/or short written assignment and/or written exam
- The proportion of independent study assignments increases during each year of study.
Course content for year 1
First-year topics include:
- molecular orbital approaches to chemical bonding
- chemical reaction mechanisms
- molecular spectroscopy; coordination chemistry,
- thermodynamics
- kinetics
- quantum mechanics
You will also take course units that cover a range of presentational, mathematical and analytical and IT skills. Finally, you have the opportunity to study subjects from another Department - see the list of optional course units below.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Introductory Chemistry | CHEM10101 | 30 | Mandatory |
Energy and Change | CHEM10212 | 10 | Mandatory |
Coordination Chemistry | CHEM10312 | 10 | Mandatory |
Structure and Reactivity | CHEM10412 | 10 | Mandatory |
Chemists' Toolkit | CHEM10520 | 20 | Mandatory |
Practical Chemistry | CHEM10600 | 20 | Mandatory |
Fundamentals of Biochemistry | BIOL10551 | 10 | Optional |
Fundamentals of Finance | BMAN10552 | 10 | Optional |
Environmental Processes and Change: The Global System | GEOG10401 | 10 | Optional |
Dynamic Earth | GEOG10422 | 10 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 15 course units for year 1 | |||
Display all course units for year 1 |
Course content for year 2
The second year continues developing the core and extends topics from your first year, introducing new areas such as:
- bonding and reactivity
- chromatography
- organometallic chemistry
- molecular symmetry
- metal-ligand bonding
- polymer chemistry
- advanced spectroscopy
- biological and heterocyclic chemistry
In addition to the core units you have the opportunity to study course units introducing some of the contemporary themes of modern chemistry, as well as green and environmental chemistry. Alternatively, you may choose to take a course unit from the University's College for Interdisciplinary Learning , including our innovative Leadership in Action course, which combines study with volunteering and personal development.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Core Physical Chemistry | CHEM20212 | 10 | Mandatory |
Group Theory: Fundamentals and Applications | CHEM20311 | 10 | Mandatory |
Inorganic Chemistry | CHEM20312 | 10 | Mandatory |
Organic Synthesis | CHEM20411 | 10 | Mandatory |
Structure and reactivity of organic molecules | CHEM20412 | 10 | Mandatory |
Chemists' Toolkit II | CHEM20500 | 10 | Mandatory |
Integrated Spectroscopy and Separations | CHEM20611 | 10 | Mandatory |
Practical Chemistry | CHEM22600 | 30 | Mandatory |
Contemporary Themes in Chemistry | CHEM20711 | 10 | Optional |
Environmental and Green Chemistry | CHEM20712 | 10 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 11 course units for year 2 | |||
Display all course units for year 2 |
Course content for year 3
In your final year you can choose from a wide range of course units made up of core and advanced chemistry units and also some units from outside chemistry.
These include advanced course units in computational chemistry, organic and inorganic synthetic methods, surface chemistry and catalysis, molecular structure determination and photochemistry, as well as topics that cut across the traditional subject areas (e.g. nuclear, environmental and biological chemistry).
You'll also take your practical chemistry and independent learning to a higher level with extended, advanced experimental and theoretical research projects.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Core Chemistry 3 | CHEM30211 | 10 | Mandatory |
Core Chemistry 2 | CHEM30311 | 10 | Mandatory |
Core Chemistry 4 | CHEM30312 | 10 | Mandatory |
Core Chemistry 1 | CHEM30411 | 10 | Mandatory |
Advanced Practical Training | CHEM30620 | 40 | Mandatory |
Personalised Learning Unit 1 | CHEM30111 | 10 | Optional |
Personalised Learning Unit 2.10 | CHEM30112 | 10 | Optional |
Personalised Learning Unit 2.20 | CHEM30122 | 20 | Optional |
Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry | CHEM30432 | 10 | Optional |
Biosynthesis and Bioenergetics | CHEM30712 | 10 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 18 course units for year 3 | |||
Display all course units for year 3 |
Scholarships and bursaries
For information about scholarships/bursaries/sponsorship please see our undergraduate fees pages and go to Department and university scholarships
Facilities
Our modern teaching laboratories are equipped with a wide range of specialist facilities including:
- State-of-the-art synthetic labs for project work.
- Dedicated NMR spectrometer for exclusive use by undergraduates.
- A suite of dedicated analytical instrumentation.
- The undergraduate teaching labs also have 3 HPLC and one HPLC-MS instruments to help you learn the fundamentals and applications of measurement and of separation science.
- Ten spectrophotometers and a suite of infra-red spectrometers for measuring solids, liquids and gases.
You'll also have access to:
- Open access research laboratories for Separations, EPR, NMR and Mass Spectrometry.
- Cutting-edge X-ray diffractometers.
- Research Computing Facility to support teaching & learning in computational and theoretical science.
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities

The course offered transferable skills that would be beneficial throughout my career.
Studying Chemistry has prepared me for more than just lab sessions, it has given me the ability to learn for myself.
James Stevens / BSc Chemistry Alumnus, Energy Consultant, Envantage Ltd
Graduate with a degree from The University of Manchester's Chemistry Department and you'll be in demand among top graduate employers.*
Our Chemistry graduates are skilled in scientific methodology and are numerate, versatile and creative, making them attractive to employers from a range of sectors.
Around half of our graduates get their first job directly using their chemical knowledge; 25% go on to study a further degree; and the remaining 25% opt for diverse careers in a variety of industries. Roles that graduates opt for include:
- Analytical Chemistry;
- Biotechnology
- Science Communication;
- Finance;
- Management;
- Computing;
- IT.
Whatever field you choose, a chemistry degree can open the doors through a variety of opportunities , preparing you for working in a lab, or providing you with the analytical skills vital for success as a graduate in both a scientific and non-scientific environment.
Careers Service
Throughout the academic year, we run an extensive programme of employability events to further enhance your employment prospects, most of which are open to all students from all years. These events are run in collaboration with the University's award winning Careers Service , involving various alumni, employers and the Royal Society of Chemistry, and include numerous drop-in sessions. Additionally, the Careers Service commits to supporting you for two years after your graduation, helping you to have the best start possible after university.
Accrediting organisations
BSc Chemistry is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Graduates are eligible for Affiliate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry at a reduced rate. On graduation you can proceed to Associate or Full membership and Chartered Chemist Status (depending on degree class).