)
Chemistry, Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at UEA
Find out more about studying Chemistry, Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBSc (Hons) Chemistry with a Foundation Year
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 2027
Other Start Dates
Chat to us on Unibuddy
Any questions? Chat online with current students, staff and experts. This is your chance to ask anything about UEA, university life, Norwich and more.
Other Start Dates
Scroll For More
100%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
Why BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year at UEA?
BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year is designed for you if you’re interested in chemistry but don’t yet meet the entry requirements. You’ll build your confidence in key scientific concepts and develop the skills needed to progress onto the degree.
Why choose UEA
- Supportive environment: Benefit from small-group teaching and tailored support
- State-of-the-art facilities: Study in our modern teaching laboratories, using high-quality instrumentation
- Guaranteed progression: Successfully completing the Foundation Year guarantees progression onto the BSc in Chemistry
What is BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year?
Chemistry with a Foundation Year is ideal if you’re passionate about science and want to strengthen your knowledge. The foundation year helps you build confidence, refresh key concepts, or transition from a different educational background. You’ll be taught by experienced academics who understand the challenges students may face. Your academic adviser will support you throughout your university journey.
During your foundation year, you’ll develop essential skills in chemistry, mathematics, laboratory practice, and scientific communication. You’ll study through a combination of workshops, lectures, small group tutorials and hands‑on practical sessions, ensuring your learning is at the forefront of scientific thought.
By the end of your foundation year, you'll be fully prepared to progress confidently into year one of our BSc Chemistry degree. This will give you the in-depth academic training you’ll need to become a professional chemist. The transferrable 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).
Careers
Career Pathways
With a degree in Chemistry, you could develop a career as a:
- Pharmaceutical Scientist
- Agrochemical Scientist
- Green Chemistry or Catalysis Scientist
- Scientific Editor
- Chemistry Teacher
Career Support
At UEA, Career Central supports you with finding job opportunities, including internships. You can access online resources and receive support and guidance from the very start of your studies. In our school, the Director of Employability also coordinates internal and external employability events. Employability relevant transferable skills are embedded in our curriculum. You’ll benefit from careers drop-in sessions and one-to-one guidance, plus employer events and fairs. We offer a wide range of internships during the summer break (6-12 weeks) supported by various funders. We also encourage you to participate in the UEA Award.
After the Course
Our chemistry degree equips you with the skills to succeed in the workplace and compete in the job market. Alongside advanced subject knowledge, you’ll develop project management, teamwork, problem-solving, and independent thinking skills. You’ll also build confidence in presentations and scientific writing. UEA’s Career Central supports you with jobs and employability opportunities for three years after graduation. Support includes one-to-one advice tailored to your goals and connections with employers. Your academic adviser can also provide references to support your job applications.
Study and Modules
Structure
The foundation year enables you to develop A-level equivalent knowledge of chemistry while familiarising yourself with university study.
Our modules help you develop transferable skills in 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)Important Information
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, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Our course combines a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops and practical laboratory classes, designed to help you make the most of your learning. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for supported independent study, which will take advantage of our 24/7 library at the heart of the campus. Lecturers, tutors, and postgraduate associate tutors (labs) will always be on hand to help.
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.
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(opens in a new window) 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(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
CCC
Contextual offer: CDD
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(opens in a new window).
- 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
- English 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: 6.0 overall (with a minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
-
- 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 for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
-
UK Students: £10,050
-
International Students: £29,300
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
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(opens in a new window) 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
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: