BSc CHEMISTRY WITH A FOUNDATION YEAR
BSC CHEMISTRY WITH A FOUNDATION YEAR
From the materials we make to the medicines we take, chemistry shapes our relationship with the world around us. So understanding how chemicals interact at a molecular level is not only fascinating, but also of critical importance.
Chemistry at UEA has an excellent reputation. Our cutting-edge research in chemical sciences underpins our teaching – through lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practicals – ensuring that your learning is at the forefront of scientific thought.
If you’re interested in chemistry but don’t yet meet the academic requirements to enter a degree programme, Chemistry with a Foundation Year will give you the grounding and skills you need. And you’ll be assigned an adviser from the School of Chemistry who will guide you throughout the year.
About
The Foundation Year of our innovative course will arm you with the skills you’ll need to progress onto our Chemistry degree. Designed to fill gaps in your knowledge, it will prepare you for life as a Chemistry undergraduate. You’ll cover core modules in chemistry and mathematics, as well as biology or physics, depending on your interests.
Complete the year successfully and you’ll be accepted onto our three-year Chemistry degree programme, which will give you a solid grounding in all aspects of chemistry. In years two and three, you’ll gain advanced knowledge of chemistry and develop your practical laboratory skills. Then in your final year, you’ll tailor your study to specialise in the areas that reflect your interests and career aspirations, and you’ll undertake an independent research project too.
If you’re curious about the world around you and fascinated by the way chemicals interact, this course is an ideal choice. It will give you a real understanding of chemistry’s impact on every aspect of our lives, from our health and wellbeing to the economy. And it will give you the opportunity to use your imagination to take your thinking to extremes, and then apply it.
After the Foundation Year, you could also elect to move onto our Master’s course. Making a choice between an MChem or BSc course can be difficult. If you are at all unsure which course is right for you then don’t worry: you will be given advice before you begin studying and while you’re a student here. Transferring between the two courses is straightforward during the first two years because of the common structure of our courses.

UEA Award

Ask a Student

Career Options After Chemistry

Mature Students
- SHARE
- Facebook
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.After the Course
Once you successfully finish your Foundation Year, you’ll go straight onto one of the main degree programmes within the School of Chemistry.
So, what are your career options after Chemistry?
A better question might be what career options are not open to you after chemistry, as you’ll see from the huge range of careers that our graduates have followed.
Our chemistry degrees provide the skills that employers are looking for – high level subject knowledge combined with problem solving, IT, analytical skills, instrumentation, time management, organisation, and team and individual work.
Many of our graduates secure positions in emerging chemistry industries, such as Iceni Diagnostics (a UEA spin off company developing lateral flow test technology, including for Covid-19), and leading pharmaceutical companies (Glaxo SmithKline, AkzoNobel or Sanofi), chemical and advanced technology companies (Johnson Matthey, Dell or British Airways) with roles in research, management, product development and quality control.
Others have used their chemistry degree to pursue more diverse career options. These range from further research degrees (MSc or PhD) towards academic positions, to teaching training (PGCE) to became schoolteachers, through to careers in publishing (RSC and Wiley editors), computing (ANDigital) and even banking (Barclays), insurance (Aviva), and almost everything in between.
At UEA, we have a great team to support graduates in securing excellent career starts through CareerCentral. In the School of Chemistry, our Director of Employability coordinates internal and external events and makes sure that all additional key skills training elements are present in our curriculum from year 1, allowing Chemistry graduates to present a highly competitive CV. The skills training is embedded within our modules, especially in years 3 and 4, but, in addition, all students benefit from chemistry careers drop-in sessions and 1-to1 guidance, plus chemistry specific employers events and fairs.
We also encourage our students to participate in the UEA award, which is a certificate from the University, recognising a range of extracurricular activities that students can undertake while at university, to help them develop other skills to become highly employable.
To complement undergraduate studies, we offer a wide range of internships during the summer break (6-12 weeks) supported by the University and different funders, for students in their second and third year of their degrees. These provide additional opportunities to experience work and develop key skills in one of the many diverse research areas being pursued in the School of Chemistry.
“During the internship I have been exposed to a range of techniques such as bacterial transformation, recombinant protein expression and SDS-PAGE, all of which I would only have read about or been briefly introduced to in my undergraduate studies. I strongly suggest that if you are focused on research that you apply for as many experience opportunities as possible and refine your CV as best you can for that first interview.”
Jack Fendley, 2nd Year intern student, working on oligomerisation of the chlamydia protein TarP for cell invasion, with Dr Tharin Blumenschein over the summer 2021, funded by a Tim Pickup UEA Internship.
Career destinations
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Research scientist
- Healthcare
- Government
- Data analyst
- Academic
- Teacher

UEA Award

Ask a Student

Career Options After Chemistry

Mature Students
Course Modules will be provided soon. For further information on Foundation Year modules, please see our BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year 2022 entry.
For further years' module information please check out our BSc Chemistry.
Important Notice
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.
Entry Requirements
A Levels
CCCT Levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism.BTEC
MMMScottish highers
BBCCCScottish highers advanced
DDDIrish leaving certificate
6 subjects at H4Access course
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3European Baccalaureate
60% overallInternational Baccalaureate
28 pointsGCSE offer
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.Additional entry requirements
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Students for whom english is a foreign language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.Gap year
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.Intakes
This course is open to UK. The annual intake is in September each year.
UEA Award

Ask a Student

Career Options After Chemistry

Mature Students
Fees and Funding
See our Tuition Fees page for further information.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
UEA Award

Ask a Student

Career Options After Chemistry

Mature Students
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:

UEA Award

Ask a Student

Career Options After Chemistry

Mature Students

UEA Award

Ask a Student

Career Options After Chemistry

Mature Students
Related Courses
Not quite right? Search for other courses below: