Chemistry, Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at UEA
Find out more about studying Chemistry, Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at UEA, and browse our other courses.
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Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Why BSc Chemistry with Education at UEA?
Build a strong foundation in chemistry while exploring fields such as medicinal, analytical and biophysical chemistry, programming, and climate change. Develop education and teaching skills that open doors to careers in science, education, and beyond.
What is Chemistry with Education?
Chemistry is known as the central science because it connects and shapes many other fields. From quantum science and sub-atomic particles to the molecules that build materials and sustain life, chemistry helps us understand the world around us.
On BSc Chemistry with Education at UEA, you’ll study the core areas of chemistry while choosing optional topics that match your interests, including synthetic and medicinal chemistry, biological and physical chemistry, and programming. You’ll also explore how chemistry addresses modern global challenges such as sustainability, green chemistry, data analytics, food fraud, and health.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop strong theoretical and experimental skills. Concepts introduced in lectures, workshops, and tutorials are reinforced through hands-on laboratory work, creating an engaging and practical learning experience.
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Find out more about studying Chemistry, Pharmacology and Drug Discovery at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreWith a BSc Chemistry with Education degree, you could develop a career as a:
At UEA, Career Central will help you find job opportunities, internships, and valuable online career resources. You’ll receive expert guidance and support to help secure a strong career start after graduation. Our Director of Employability also organises events and embeds transferable skills into the curriculum from year one. You’ll benefit from chemistry careers drop-ins, employer events, careers fairs, and one-to-one guidance. Summer internships lasting 6–12 weeks will give you hands-on experience and help strengthen your transferable skills. You’re also encouraged to complete the UEA Award, recognising extracurricular activities that enhance your employability.
Our chemistry degree equips you with essential skills to succeed in the workplace and compete in the job market. Alongside advanced subject knowledge, you’ll develop project management, teamwork, problem-solving, independent thinking, and scientific communication skills. Career Central supports you in finding jobs and opportunities for up to three years after graduation. Support includes one-to-one advice tailored to your goals and connections with potential employers. Your academic adviser can also provide references to support your job applications.
This degree develops your knowledge and builds a strong understanding of chemistry across a range of specialised areas.
You’ll gain extensive laboratory experience, including synthesising compounds, analysing them with spectroscopic methods, and studying their properties.
Across the three years, you’ll also develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills valued by employers.
In your first year, you’ll study subjects related to organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry. You’ll also study the core mathematics that will help you in your chemistry course; this is especially beneficial in building confidence for those who didn’t study mathematics at A-level. There’ll be an emphasis on practical work, and you’ll develop important analytical and problem-solving skills that will prove invaluable throughout your degree.
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.
Building on your first year, in year two, you’ll study subjects relating to organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, and you'll gain knowledge of material science and characterisation, and programming. These modules will develop your knowledge in these core areas and hone your practical skills. You'll also explore and gain insight into the nature of' 'teaching' and 'learning' in a range of educational institutions and settings in the UK. There will be opportunities to investigate specific aspects of teaching which are of particular interest to individuals.
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.
During your third year, you’ll gain a detailed understanding of more advanced organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. You’ll choose from a diverse range of optional modules covering topics such as the theoretical, material, and biophysical aspects of chemistry. You’ll gain an understanding of how science is disseminated to the public and explore the theories surrounding learning and communication and learn practical skills by designing, running and evaluating a public outreach event at a school or in a public area. You’ll also undertake 100 hours of voluntary work experience in a role of significant responsibility that can be mentored, to develop good evidence based working practices.
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 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.
In your first year, teaching will incorporate a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and practical sessions. Some of these sessions will engage you in active learning, encouraging you to interact with your peers. There will be an emphasis on practical work, and you'll develop important analytical and problem-solving skills that will prove invaluable throughout your chemistry degree and subsequent careers.
In your second year, you'll continue to hone your scientific skills through lectures, small group seminars, workshops, and practical sessions covering all core areas of chemistry.
In your third year, you’ll continue to be taught in a range of formats including lectures, small group seminars, workshops, and practical sessions. You’ll have the opportunity to choose from a diverse range of optional modules.
Assessment
Assessment methods include examinations, project reports, laboratory reports, presentations, oral examinations, practical assessment, and multiple-choice and short-answer tests. In every instance, before counting (summative) assessments take place, we give you (formative) opportunities to practice the assessment. Our modules are assessed either by a combination of coursework and exam, or through 100% coursework.
Both formative (practice) and summative (counting) assessments will be undertaken across all modules in your first year. During your first year, you'll have the opportunity to further practice for your assessment attending tutorials, which are formative small group teaching sessions in which we guide you in how to approach questions and problems, and in how to formulate clear answers through systematic logical reasoning.
Tutorials, formative and summative assessments will continue throughout your second year, building on your experience and confidence from year one and equipping you for more challenging study in your final year.
In year three, you’ll benefit from your assessment experience in year two. You'll also undertake education-focussed assessment in presentation skills and review of your voluntary placement activity.
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. 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.
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
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).
BBB including Chemistry
Contextual offer: BCC including Chemistry
Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) including all modules listed below OR DDM plus B in A level Chemistry
Contextual offer: DMM in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) including all modules listed below OR DMM plus B in A level Chemistry
Not accepted
Obtain an overall Merit
Accepted Subjects: Health, Healthcare Science and Science
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - BSc Chemistry with a Foundation Year.
31 points overall including HL 5 in Chemistry
2 subjects at H2 plus 4 subjects at H3 including Chemistry
AABBB including grade A in Chemistry
CCC including Chemistry. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
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.
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.
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. 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.
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
BBB including Chemistry
Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
31 points overall including HL 5 in Chemistry
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre(opens in a new window) offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
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 (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.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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.
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
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.
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.
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees(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.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
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. (opens in a new window)
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:
Chemistry with Education starting September 2026 for 3 years