Program Overview

Chemistry (BSc)

Overview

The Chemistry (BSc) program is a three-year, full-time degree that provides a broad introduction to chemistry, with the opportunity to specialize in areas of interest through optional modules and a research project.

Why Study This Course

• Part of everyday life, chemistry is vital for tackling the world's most urgent problems - from green technologies to developing new therapies to keep us healthy.
• Flexible courses allow transfer to the MChem, Year in Industry or Placement Year Abroad options during the first year, subject to academic achievement.
• 94% of graduates are employed, in further study or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after their course.
• Acclaimed researchers are involved in course design and teaching, with 99% of research being world-leading or internationally excellent.
• The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and partially fulfils the academic requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Subject Area

• Subject area: Chemistry
• UCAS code: F100
• Next intake: September 2026
• Duration: 3 years
• Mode: Full time

Entry Requirements

• A level: ABB-BBC, must include grade B in Chemistry.
• International Baccalaureate: 32-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects, must include grade 5 in HL Chemistry.
• Baccalaureate Wales: Accepted in lieu of one A-Level, excluding any specified subjects.
• GCSE and other essential requirements: English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent, and GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification.
• English language requirements: GCSE grade C or grade 4, IELTS (academic) at least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill, TOEFL iBT at least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking, PTE Academic at least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills, Trinity ISE II/III with at least two Distinctions and two Merits for II, and a Pass in all components for III.

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry

• Fees for home status:
  • Year one: £9,535
  • Year two: £9,535
  • Year three: £9,535
• Fees for overseas status:
  • Year one: £30,700
  • Year two: £30,700
  • Year three: £30,700

Additional Costs

• The School covers the cost of everything that is an essential part of the programme.
• You may be required to cover additional costs that are either not essential or are basic costs that a student should be expected to cover themselves, such as laptop computers, calculators, general stationery, textbooks, and basic copying/printing.
• No specific equipment is needed; the University provides a lab coat, safety glasses, a laboratory notebook, and a molecular modelling kit.

Course Structure

• This is a three-year, full-time degree, with 120 credits of study in each year.
• You can choose to add a Placement Year Abroad or Year in Industry at the end of your first year, subject to academic achievement.
• The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2026/2027 academic year.

Year One

• Core modules:
  • Foundations of Physical Chemistry (20 credits)
  • Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry (20 credits)
  • Foundations of Organic Chemistry (20 credits)
  • Introduction to University Chemistry (10 credits)
  • Year 1 Chemistry Foundation Practical (30 credits)
  • Mathematical Methods for Chemistry (10 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Environmental Chemistry (10 credits)
  • Introduction to Drug Development (10 credits)
  • Introduction to Green and Sustainable Chemistry (10 credits)

Year Two

• Core modules:
  • Further Physical Chemistry (20 credits)
  • Structure, bonding and reactivity in compounds of the p and d-block elements (20 credits)
  • Further Organic and Biological Chemistry (20 credits)
  • Communicating Chemistry: Key skills for chemists (10 credits)
  • Introduction to the chemistry of life (10 credits)
  • Applications of Molecular Spectroscopy (10 credits)
  • Further Chemistry Laboratories (30 credits)

Year Three

• Core modules:
  • Training in Research Methods (20 credits)
  • Advanced Organometallic and Coordination Chemistry (10 credits)
  • Quantum and Statistical Mechanics of Molecules and Solids (10 credits)
  • Strategies in Organic and Biological Chemistry (10 credits)
  • Project (40 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Advanced Spectroscopy and Diffraction (10 credits)
  • Heterogeneous Catalysis (10 credits)
  • Structure and Mechanism in Organic Chemistry (10 credits)
  • Homogeneous Catalysis (10 credits)
  • Engineering Biosynthesis (10 credits)

Learning and Assessment

• Teaching is undertaken through a series of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical classes.
• Laboratory work progresses towards substantial experiments that need careful planning, analysis, and interpretation of results.
• A major element of independent, supervised project work is included in the final year.
• Assessment involves a blend of methods, including formal examinations, class tests, reports on laboratory work, planning, conduct and reporting of project work, essays, problem-solving exercises, oral presentations, and preparation and display of posters.

Careers and Placements

• Chemists play a vital role in tackling society's most urgent challenges.
• A degree in chemistry opens the door to a wide range of careers both inside and outside the lab.
• Graduate careers include Product Development Chemist, Patent Analyst, Quality Control Scientist, Chemical Engineer, and Academic Researcher.
• All students undertake a one-semester research project within a Cardiff Chemistry research laboratory.
• Opportunities are available to undertake summer research projects at Cardiff University under the supervision of academic staff.