Program Overview

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Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of reactions and interactions between atoms, compounds, and ions. It provides the foundation for jobs in nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biotech, materials science, energy and resources, the environment, and agriculture.

Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Chemistry at UWA produces highly employable graduates for jobs in Western Australia, nationally and internationally. UWA is Western Australia’s top ranked University, and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight Universities. This means UWA Bachelor of Science graduates with a Chemistry major are widely recognised, and our graduates are highly sought-after by employers.

UWA’s research-led teaching will provide you with state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and high level problem solving skills.

The chemical industry is seeking graduates who are specialised in chemistry, but with diverse skill sets. UWA’s unique degree structure sets us apart from other Western Australian universities to train graduates for these jobs.

At UWA, right from first year, you have the opportunity to tailor your degree to suit your interest and goals, using your interests as a basis for your choice of subjects to study.

Further Study

By undertaking Honours in Chemistry, you will develop an understanding of the research process and your abilities to conduct independent research. You will acquire training and practice in skills such as experimental methods, problem solving, literature searching, data analysis, computing, team building, and written and oral communication.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.

Domestic Student Fees

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$46,300.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
  • 9
• Canadian High School (except Quebec)
  • 68
• French Baccalaureate
  • 10
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750
  • 507
• GCE A-Levels
  • 8
• German Abitur
  • 3.6
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
  • 14
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE)
  • 45
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 75.5
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
  • 24
• Malaysian STPM
  • 10
• Monash University Foundation Year
  • 254
• NCUK Foundation Program
  • 8
• Norwegian Vitnemål
  • 3.5
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels
  • 6.5
• South African National Senior Certificate
  • 4
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 324
• Sweden Slutbetyg
  • 14.5
• Trinity College Foundation
  • 280
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
  • 14
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 61
• US College Board Advanced Placements
  • 7
• US College Board SAT
  • 1130
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 56
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 75

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

How to apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course details

Chemistry provides a foundation and detailed understanding of fields such as biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, green chemistry, chemical engineering, food science, cosmetic and fragrance industries, materials science, nanotechnology, pharmacology and molecular biology.

About the course

In the Chemistry major students will develop an understanding of complex reactions, the mechanisms of reactions and the physical and chemical manipulations that can be used to make reactions occur.

Chemistry is often called the central science because so many scientists study chemistry at some level and it is important to virtually all areas of modern science. Chemistry is the science of the molecular scale and involves study of molecules and materials, the exploration of their properties and the means to use them.

Studying Chemistry provides a foundation and detailed understanding of fields such as biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, green chemistry, chemical engineering, food science, cosmetic and fragrance industries, materials science, nanotechnology, pharmacology and molecular biology. In the Chemistry major students will also develop an understanding of complex reactions, the mechanisms of reactions and the physical and chemical manipulations that can be used to make reactions occur. This major, importantly, complements majors in other disciplines such as Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Agriculture, Business and Engineering Science

Quick details

• Status: Available 2023
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: 16-25 hours' teaching time, plus your own study time.
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-CHEMY
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BSc [Hons]), 4 years (BPhil[Hons])
• Degrees course is available in: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Philosophy

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core
  • Take all units (18 points):
    • CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (6)
    • CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity (6)
    • SCOM1101 Communicating Science (6)
• Bridging
  • Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 or higher in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent are required to complete MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 or higher in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 or higher in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent are required to complete CHEM1003.
  • CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
  • MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)

Level 2

• Core
  • Take all units (24 points):
    • CHEM2101 Analytical Methods (6)
    • CHEM2102 Metals in Molecules (6)
    • CHEM2103 Synthetic and Biological Organic Chemistry (6)
    • CHEM2104 Energy and Materials (6)

Level 3

• Core
  • Take all units (6 points):
    • CHEM3101 Workplace Safety and Advanced Analytical Methods (6)
• Option
  • Take unit(s) to the value of 18 points:
    • CHEM3102 Chemistry: A Global View (6)
    • CHEM3103 Organometallic Chemistry (6)
    • CHEM3104 Organic Chemistry (6)
    • CHEM3105 Advanced Materials (6)

You'll learn to

• understand the properties of atoms and molecules, and their reactivity
• solve chemical problems, including the calculation of yields, dilutions and stoichiometry in chemical reactions, as well as understand the theory and practical methods for creating new molecular structures
• demonstrate knowledge in reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, chemical reactivity and the properties of many classes of compounds and materials

Why study Chemistry

• Taught by experts and award-winning academic staff covering all the fields of Chemistry including organic and inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, catalysis, medicinal chemistry, biological chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology and education.
• A wide and comprehensive laboratory experience throughout all levels of the major.
• Learning content used in research and industry and making connections with these chemistry settings - there is a high demand for chemistry graduates in a variety of industries.

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Philosophy