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Undergraduate courses 2024/25

Chemistry, BSc Hons

Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, this degree in chemistry gives you the knowledge and practical skills for successful careers in science.

Chemistry is the essential science. It impacts everyday life from brewing the perfect cup of tea to sending shuttles into space. Our chemistry degree explores all branches of the discipline, including inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and analytical chemistry. You'll also develop transferable skills that appeal to employers from other sectors, such as business and public service.

The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the UK's professional body for chemical scientists. First-year students get free membership, and graduates will be able to apply for associate membership. You'll also benefit from our connections with industry. Our lecturers have held prestigious roles at GSK and Pfizer, and we regularly welcome industry-based guest speakers.

Our chemistry graduates go on to a range of exciting careers, both inside and outside the lab. Their roles include Laboratory Managers, Technologists, Formulation Scientists, Technicians, Analysts, Project Managers and Scientific Officers, working for well-known organisations including E.On, Dyson, GSK, and the NHS.

UCAS points

104 (view full requirements)(full requirements below)

Course/institution codes

F110 M BSc/C

Concerned about grades?

We offer an extended degree in this subject that you can access with lower entry requirements.

School

Science

Location

Medway Campus

Duration

  • 3 years full-time
  • 4 years part-time
  • 4 years sandwich
  • 4 years blended learning

Start month

September

Home/international fees 2024/25

£9,250 /£17,000

What you should know about this course

  • We actively work with employers to support you to gain up-to-date industry knowledge.
  •  We are a diverse and inclusive community of students, researchers and academics and we welcome a wide range of students from many different backgrounds.
  •  You'll study in Medway in Kent, a great location with fantastic transport links. It's easy to get to central London, as well as the beautiful Kent coast and countryside.
  • We also provide part-time and sandwich course options.

Chemistry, BSc Hons


What you will study

If you're interested in pursuing this course on a part-time or sandwich mode, please refer to the page containing detailed information about the modules.

Full time

Year 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

Year 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

Year 3

Option Set 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.

Option Set 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

Students are also required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.

About the course team

You are taught by an experienced team whose expertise and knowledge closely reflects the modules of this course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators, lab technicians, and external experts who provide guest lectures on some modules. Our PhD researchers also offer lab support, which our undergraduate students find very useful.

Come and meet us

We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.

Next Open Days

Got a question?

To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

If you are

  • 104 UCAS Tariff points which must include one of the following:
  • A level: Chemistry at grade C.
  • BTEC National: Extended Diploma in Applied Science.
  • A level and BTEC National: Extended Certificate in Applied Science and A Level Chemistry at grade C.
  • International Baccalaureate: 26 points overall including Higher Level Chemistry at grade 5.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: Science.
  • T Level: Science (Laboratory Sciences) at grade Merit.
  • In addition, you will need: GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English Language/Literature and GCSE Science all at grade 4/C. Equivalent qualifications may be considered.

We make Contextual offers to this programme. Applicants that meet specific eligibility criteria will be made a contextual offer with a reduced tariff of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points. Other entry requirements such as GCSEs, Interview, etc., will still need to be met. For further information, please see our Contextual Admissions policy.

For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.

You can also read our admissions policy.

The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses. If you cannot find your country on this list, please contact international@gre.ac.uk.

Choose your country:

Further information about entry

We welcome applications from mature students.

Available to overseas students?

Yes

Can I use Prior Learning?

Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.

Concerned about grades?

We offer an extended degree in this subject with lower entry requirements. Our extended degrees include a foundation year to prepare you for degree-level study.

How you will learn

The following data is based on the compulsory modules for this programme.*

* Compiled from modules taught on 2023-2024 courses.

Learning experience

In a typical week learning takes place through a combination of:

Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.

You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.

Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.

Class sizes

First-year courses may be shared across a number of Science modules, resulting in large lecture groups of up to 100 students. Subject-specific modules tend to be smaller. For example, a typical Chemistry intake has 30 students in a dedicated Chemistry module.

Similarly, in the second and third years, some core modules taken by all students are equally large, while optional modules are smaller (20-40 students per group), enabling close interaction with lecturers.

Independent learning

At university, you must develop the ability to work more independently than you have done before. In the early stages of the degree, you will receive a higher level of support from module leaders and personal tutors. In years 2 and 3, you will need to demonstrate an increasing ability to build upon material delivered in lectures and laboratories through independent reading. Greenwich graduates should be able to think and work independently, analytically and creatively to solve problems.

Overall workload

If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.

Part time courses

Whilst the university tries to ensure that part-time attendance is one day of the week only, this cannot be guaranteed for every course and subsequent years. For further information regarding part-time timetables contact fes-courseinfo@gre.ac.uk

Assessment

Students are assessed through a combination of assessment methods depending on the modules chosen.

You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.

Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.

Feedback summary

University policy is to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days of the coursework submission date. Examination results will be available within 28 days.

Dates and timetables

The academic year runs from September to June.

Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.

Official statistics on Discover Uni

Full time

Part time

Fees and funding

Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.

Full time Part time Distance learning
Home £9,250 £2,312 per 30 credits N/A
International £17,000 £4,250 per 30 credits N/A

Accommodation costs

Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.

Accommodation pages

Funding your study

There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.

EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.

Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.

Financial support

Safety equipment
Science students are provided with lab coat and safety glasses free of charge. You'll be expected to pay for prescription safety glasses (approx. £90+) if you choose to purchase them.

Field trips
The cost of field trips is activity dependant. Some are free, while others may require a contribution. You are not obliged to pay for field trips in order to complete your course.

Professional memberships
The standard professional memberships attached to accredited courses are covered by your tuition fees. You are welcome to take up additional professional memberships at your own cost.

Resources
Course texts and other study resources are available from the Drill Hall Library. You may wish to purchase your own copies. You also receive an allowance for printing costs, which you can top up if required.

Careers and placements

Will I have a work placement?

Students go to a range of companies and organisations of varying sizes for their placements, including large multi-national firms, government agencies, the NHS and small to medium sized companies engaged in research, analytical services and manufacturing.

  • Previous students have worked in: Eon, Dyson, ADEY, PS Analytical and E-liquids, GSK, NHS hospitals.
  • IAESTE (British Council) placements to Brazil, Dubai and Poland.
  • We have a dedicated team to search for and inform students about relevant opportunities and help students prepare for interviews.

How long is my placement?

Students can undertake a summer placement for between 6 weeks to a maximum of 3 months, which is acknowledged by the award of a Certificate of Industrial Experience. Students are also encouraged to apply for sandwich placements lasting between 9-12 months which sit between the second and third year of the degree.

What are the financial arrangements?

The Faculty expectation is that students are as far as possible treated like other employees of the company or organisation. It is expected that students on sandwich placements will be paid throughout their time with the company. In some cases, students on summer placements have had expenses only covered by the company. Students on sandwich placements are required to pay a reduced fee to the University for their placement year.

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

Chemistry is a central science, and a qualification in this subject will offer a wide variety of career opportunities in research and development, teaching, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries (production development, analytical science, quality assurance and information science), forensic science, environmental pollution, and health and safety.

Are internships available?

Interns can gain valuable employment experience within the faculty – subject to resources. Personal tutors will be able to advise students on where to access course internships.

Do you provide employability services?

We have a team dedicated to enhancing student employment outcomes. This includes an Employer Partnerships Manager, who works with companies to provide placement and employment opportunities.
Our team will also help you understand the jobs market, produce effective CVs, and prepare for a graduate job and placement applications in your final year.

More about Careers.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

We are ambitious for all our students and we want you to make the most of you time with us. You can access support to improve your study skills through your tutor, our subject librarians and our online academic skills centre.

We have a Learning Skills Coordinator and a writing Fellow, both of whom support students in improving their writing skills. Additional Maths support is also available through the Drill Hall library. All students are allocated a personal tutor throughout the duration of their studies. This support is designed to enhance student performance.

Support from the department

Students within the Faculty of Engineering and Science have a Retention and Success Officer (RSO), who provides additional support for enquiries around extenuating circumstances, withdrawals and interruptions, Faculty level resits and Personal Development Planning.

The University wide STAART (AccessAbility Retention and Transition) course encourages and supports students with a disability, providing support for disabled students.

Accommodation information

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Apply now

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study full-time then you apply through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study part-time then you can apply directly via our online application form.

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply via UCAS, directly via our online application form or via one of our in-country representatives. If you require a student visa, you cannot study part-time at undergraduate level.