Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Scientist (Chemical Science) Degree Apprenticeship with BSc (Hons) Chemical Science

The BSc (Hons) Scientist (Chemical Science) Degree Apprenticeship with BSc (Hons) Chemical Science is a program designed to provide students with hands-on work experience and a degree apprenticeship, enabling them to start or progress a career in the chemical industry sector.

Course Overview

This program is part of the Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship and has been developed in collaboration with a range of chemical industry employers. It offers students the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and develop key scientific and laboratory skills.

Features and Benefits

• No tuition fees: Fees are paid by the employer and the government for Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeships.
• Course content designed to apply to the real world of the workplace, providing a potential gateway to first-line management and professional status.
• Teaching led by research-active staff and skills coaches with extensive workplace experience.
• Part of a growing group of Degree Apprentices who have chosen to earn while they learn.
• Securing a position with a partner employer offering the Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship allows students to be in full-time work, typically earning a minimum salary of £12,000 per year, with paid time off to study.
• Access to all university services as any other student enrolled at Manchester Met, including state-of-the-art library and IT services, world-class sporting facilities, and student support and careers services.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• The program has received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning it is rated as an outstanding university for student experience.

Year 1

In Year 1, students gain a grounding in the core principles of physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry, with core units including:

• Fundamental Physical Chemistry
• Fundamental Inorganic Chemistry
• Fundamental Organic Chemistry
• Introduction to Chemical Analysis
• Introduction to Workplace Regulation
• Laboratory Scientist Skills 1

Year 2

The second year builds on the knowledge gained in Year 1, with core modules including:

• Applied Chemistry for Industry
• Communication & Research Skills
• Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
• Intermediate Organic Chemistry
• Intermediate Physical Chemistry
• Laboratory Scientist Skills 2

Year 3

In the third year, students study more advanced topics, including:

• Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Business Improvement
• Spectroscopy and Instrumental Analysis
• Workplace Project
• An option unit from:
  • Green Chemistry and Sustainability
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Year 4

In the final year, students study units:

• Advanced Instrumental Analysis
• Advanced Physical Chemistry
• Further Topics in Chemistry
• Project and Personal Development
• Two topics from the following typical options must be selected for the Further Topics in Chemistry unit:
  • Advanced Green Chemistry
  • Advanced Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Chemistry in Society
  • Drug Target Interactions

Study and Assessment

Ten credits equate to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, and independent study. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits (120 credits per year). Students are likely to be required to engage in collaborative projects, group work activities, and to give presentations to peers/tutors, some or all of which may be formally assessed.

Entry Requirements

These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2026/27 academic year. Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Applicants must be employed in the Chemical Industry.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalized. Fees are paid by the employer and the government for Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeships.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of UK-domiciled, full-time, first-degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22 leavers, HESA data.
• Through the Careers Service, students are supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting their own business.
• The program equips students with a wide variety of transferable skills that can be applied to non-subject specific career pathways such as local government, teaching, law, journalism, business, and finance.
• Degree apprentice graduates may be employed in the chemical, pharmaceutical, materials, food and drink, utility, healthcare, aerospace, automotive, information technology, and telecommunications industries.
• Potential roles include:
  • Scientific team leader
  • Technologist
  • Laboratory analyst
  • Laboratory manager
  • Senior scientist
  • Process operations manager

Taught by Experts

The BSc (Hons) Scientist (Chemical Science) Degree Apprenticeship with BSc (Hons) Chemical Science is part of the Department of Natural Sciences at Manchester Met. The department consists of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field, who often link up with external professionals to enhance learning and build valuable connections to the working world.