BSc (Hons) Chemistry with a Foundation Year
Course
options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- 8F10
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
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Why you should choose us
100%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
Our BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year is designed for students who are interested in chemistry and the associated subjects, but do not yet meet the academic requirements to enter a degree programme. The foundation year of our innovative course will fill the gaps in your knowledge and arm you with the skills you’ll need to progress onto our Chemistry degrees, regardless of your background knowledge and experience.
Our cutting-edge research in chemical sciences underpins our teaching – through lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practical laboratory sessions – ensuring your learning is at the forefront of scientific progress. Understanding how chemicals interact at a molecular level is not only fascinating, but also of critical importance in solving some of greatest challenges facing humanity, such as sustainability and health.
Supported by lecturers and associate tutors, theory and practical work are synchronised throughout so that concepts learned in lectures, workshops and tutorials are reinforced and brought to life through practical work. You’ll be closely supported to be hands-on from the start, in our modern teaching laboratory. The laboratory is light, spacious, and fully equipped with a range of analytical and spectroscopic instrumentation. Our state-of-the-art research equipment, such as our X-Ray and NMR suites and imaging facilities, will also be used to enhance your later studies.
Complete the foundation year successfully, and you’ll be accepted onto our BSc Chemistry degree programme, which is the gateway to all our chemistry degrees, and will give you the in-depth academic training you’ll need to become a professional chemist. The transferable skills you’ll develop will also be beneficial to a wide range of occupations, offering a breath of career opportunities.
Accreditations
The BSc Chemistry degree, which you may progress on to, is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Study and Modules
Structure
The foundation year enables you to develop A-level equivalent knowledge of chemistry while familiarising yourself with university study and environment before you commence your full chemistry degree.
Our modules will help you to develop transferable skills in the areas of communication, teamwork and problem solving. Such skills are vital to professional scientists and highly valued by employers.
During your foundation year, you'll study mandatory modules in chemistry and mathematics, as well as physics; with the possibility of a module in computing sciences depending on prior experience. You'll be assigned an academic adviser who will guide you in making academic choices and ensure you’re on track to progress towards your chosen degree.
You'll gain credits for each of your foundation year modules, based on a mixture of coursework and examination results. If you achieve sufficient credits, you'll be able to transfer to our RSC-accredited BSc Chemistry degree programme.
For the years of study beyond the foundation year, please see the full BSc Chemistry course.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 0)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 0)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that 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. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Our teaching will incorporate a mixture of lectures, small group seminars, workshops and practical laboratory sessions. Some of your lectures and practicals may take an active approach to learning, encouraging you to interact with your peers within the sessions.
Assessment
You’ll experience a wide variety of assessment methods. In every instance, before counting (summative) assessments take place we give you (formative) opportunities to practice the assessment. Examples of assessment types include online quizzes, practical work and their reports, short-answer coursework, and exams. Our modules are assessed either by a combination of coursework and exam, or through 100% coursework.
Employability
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, Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
So, what are your career options after Chemistry?
A better question might be what career options are not open to you after a chemistry degree, as you’ll see from the huge range of careers that our graduates have followed.
Our chemistry degrees will equip you with the essential skills to excel in the job market. In addition to advanced subject knowledge, you'll develop key skills such as project and time management, teamwork and collaboration, problem solving, independent thinking and planning, as well as presentation and scientific writing skills.
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 become schoolteachers, through to careers in drug approval (BioPharma Global), publishing (RSC and Wiley editors), computing (ANDigital) and even banking (Barclays) and 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, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 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 one, allowing you to present a highly competitive CV. Skills training is embedded within our modules, but in addition, you'll benefit from chemistry careers drop-in sessions and one-to-one guidance, plus chemistry-specific employer events and fairs.
We also encourage you to participate in the UEA Award, a university certificate that recognises a range of extracurricular activities designed to enhance your employability. To complement your studies, we offer a wide range of internships during the summer break (6-12 weeks), supported by the University and various other funders. These internships provide you with additional opportunities to gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills in one of the many diverse research areas being pursued in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Pharma, Agro and Cosmetic industries
- Clean chemistry and catalysis scientist
- Energy sector, Manufacturing and project management
- Science communication and publishing
- Education professional
- Analyst or forensic scientist
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK fee-paying students. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
CCC
Contextual offer: CDD
Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMM
Contextual offer: MMP
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Science Pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass in any subject.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications, and we also recognise that some students might take a mixture of some of the qualifications above. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
28 points overall
Irish Leaving Certificate
6 subjects at H4
Scottish Highers
BBCCC
Scottish Advanced Highers
DDD. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- Deferred Entry
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.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include 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.
Progression from a Foundation Year may also be dependent on meeting the prerequisite module requirements of the course you wish to progress to. Please note subsequent changes to study or course can affect your tuition fee liability and the amount you are required to pay.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
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. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
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: