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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
Key details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- F100
- Typical Offer
- BBB including Chemistry
- Contextual Offer
- BCC including Chemistry
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Other Start Dates
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Other Start Dates
85%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
From the materials we make to the medicines we take; chemistry shapes our relationship with the world around us. 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 climate change and eradicating disease.
Choosing between an MChem or BSc course can be difficult. If you’re unsure which course is right for you, don’t worry. You’ll be given advice before you begin studying and while you’re here. Our course structure is common to both programmes, meaning you can transfer between the MChem and BSc in your first or second year.
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 thought. In the final two years of your chemistry degree, you’ll tailor your study to specialise in the areas that reflect your interests and career aspirations. You’ll also undertake an exciting individual research project.
From the very beginning, you’ll be hands-on in our modern teaching laboratory. The laboratory is light, spacious, and fully equipped with a range of analytical and spectroscopic instrumentation. Later in your degree, you’ll have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment such as our X-Ray and NMR suites and imaging facilities.
Our three-year degree programme will give you a solid grounding in all aspects of chemistry. Many of our graduates secure positions in emerging chemistry industries, leading pharmaceutical companies, research, teaching, and other diverse fields.
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Accreditations
This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Research scientist
- Healthcare
- Government
- Data analyst
- Academic
- Teacher
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
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 become schoolteachers, through to careers in publishing (RSC and Wiley editors), computing (ANDigital) and even banking (Barclays), insurance (Aviva), and almost everything in between.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
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.
- English and Mathematics
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.
- 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
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.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDM in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science)
Contextual offer: DMM in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science)
BTEC only accepted alongside A Level Chemistry, unless the following modules have been studied in the BTEC: Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry AND Practical Chemical Analysis.Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Extended Diploma: DDM in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) including all modules listed below, OR DDM plus grade B in A Level Chemistry.
Diploma: DD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) including all modules listed below plus B at A level, OR DD plus B at A Level in Chemistry.
Contextual offer: DD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) including all modules listed below plus C at A level, OR DD plus C at A Level in Chemistry.
Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A level to include Chemistry.
Contextual offer: Extended Certificate: D plus BC at A level to include Chemistry.
BTEC only accepted alongside A Level Chemistry, unless the following modules have been studied in the BTEC: Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry AND Practical Chemical Analysis.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
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.Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Merit in the Occupational Specialism. We accept Health, Healthcare Science and Science.
Foundation Year options:
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.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall including HL 5 in Chemistry.
Irish Leaving Certificate
2 subjects at H2 plus 4 subjects at H3 including Chemistry
Scottish Highers
AABBB including grade A in Chemistry
Scottish Advanced Highers
CCC including Chemistry. 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.
- 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.
- This course is open to
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.
- English and Mathematics
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.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
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.
International Baccalaureate
31 points overall including HL 5 in Chemistry.
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA 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.
- 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):
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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, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
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- 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.
- 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.
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Fees and Funding
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.
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: