BSc (Hons) Chemistry
Course overview
Start date
January 2021
September 2021
Subject area
Chemical and Drug Sciences
Attendance
Full-time, 3 years
Full-time, 4 years
Full-time, 5 years
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
Our new BSc Chemistry course will give you an in-depth understanding of the fundamental studies of structures, properties and reactions relating to chemistry. There is currently a high demand for chemists with strong analytical and practical skills.
Throughout the course you will gain these skills while covering aspects of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. The course will also provide you with extensive laboratory training throughout all years of the course and thereby enhance your employability further.
The BSc Chemistry course will provide you with rigorous training that will ensure you graduate with the skills necessary to pursue a career in chemistry or a related field. Studying chemistry offers many employment pathways. As a UEL student you could choose to extend your degree by a year and get some hands-on experience in industry.
This industrial research year would give you the practical skills that employers seek, giving you a competitive edge upon graduation. Upon completion of the BSc Chemistry you could choose to study for a PGCE in Secondary Chemistry with us.
You’ll be taught by leading experts in chemistry and academia, have the chance to gain industry experience and cover several key aspects of chemistry that will open doors to numerous employment opportunities. We have applied for accreditation by the Royal Society of Chemistry and aim to have the accreditation validated by the end of your degree.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out morePlacement
We’ll give you the opportunity of invaluable placements in hospitals, research laboratories and the commercial world which will enhance your chances of employment.
Industry Aligned
This programme is aligned to follow the curricula required by the accrediting body the Royal Society of Chemistry and has been developed specifically by chemistry experts from industry and academia to deliver comprehensive training to maximise your employability opportunities.
Tackle Global Challenges
An Environmental and Green Chemistry module is included to tackle the evolving environmental challenges we are facing – creative chemists will be central to developing solutions to this global issue.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,729.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parents' Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
- All nursing and many allied health students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year from the government.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance or contact Student Finance England.
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will automatically be cancelled.
For information visit gov.uk/student-finance
Please note EU students can only apply for their funding using a paper application form.
To download a form visit www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money. Please make sure you also factor in the fees for the visa application and immigration health surcharge when budgeting.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
112
New UCAS Points
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3 and must include Biology or Chemistry at Level 3
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more.
Level 2 equivalences such as Level 2 Functional Skills in English / Maths, Level 2 Key Skills in Communication / Application of Number and Level 2 Adult Literacy / Adult Numeracy
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll learn
There are four main sub-disciplines of chemistry, and the course we have created focuses on delivering a rigorous knowledge and understanding of all aspects of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry:
- Analytical chemistry involves qualitative and quantitative observations and spectroscopy
- Inorganic chemistry studies materials such as metals and their salts
- Organic chemistry involves the study of biological compounds containing primarily carbon.
- Physical chemistry measures the interaction of matter and energy.
The programme also contains modules focused on medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, which are vital to developing new medicines to treat current and unknown diseases. An Environmental and Green Chemistry module is included, which tackles the evolving environmental challenges we are all facing – creative chemists are central to developing solutions.
What you'll study and when
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
By the end of the degree you’ll gain the same qualification as those obtaining direct entry to the course but you’ll take one year longer to complete your studies.
Academic & Communication Skills (core)
Essential Maths & ICT (core)
Human Biology (core)
Chemistry of Life (core)
Professional Practice in Science (Mental Wealth)
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
Mathematics for Scientists
Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry
Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry
Optional Short Placement
Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry
Topics in Environmental and Green Chemistry
Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Research and Career Development (Mental Wealth)
Organic Synthesis
Topics in Physical Chemistry
Optional Short Work Placement
Year Long Placement
Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics
Natural Products Discovery
Medicinal Chemistry
Application of Analytical Techniques in Pharmaceutical Quality Control
Research Project and Career Enhancement Portfolio (Mental Wealth)
Physical, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Bioinorganic Chemistry
L6 Optional Short Work Placement
Work Placement (Final Year)
This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement on completion of year three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend an additional year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three.
How you'll be assessed
You will be assessed in practical work and theory. In most modules the module mark is derived from both coursework throughout the year, which can take a variety of forms including laboratory work, data analysis, essays, oral presentations, and from written theory examination at the end of the year. Some modules also include laboratory practical exams.
Year 1 – 50% Portfolio/Coursework, 33% Laboratory/Practical/ICT, 17% Case Study/PBL
Year 2 – 50% Portfolio/Coursework, 30% Case Study/PBL, 20% Written Exam/Timed Assessment
Year 3 – 42% Written Exam/Timed Assessment, 33% Laboratory/Practical/ICT, 17% Portfolio/Coursework, 8% Case Study/PBL
You’ll always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 14 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face to face assessments.
How you'll learn
We like to keep the learning varied and interactive at the University of East London, so you’ll be encouraged to participate in a wide range of subjects, including lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory practicals and web-learning.
We’ll strongly encourage you to take the option of a full-year placement outside the University at the end of your final year. These placements represent great opportunities - jobs that can involve anything from sample collection in a laboratory to actually running supervised tests.
Recent history shows that many of these opportunities lead to full-time jobs. It’s a competitive process to land such an opportunity, but well worth it.
Each year you will spend up to 255 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: 185 Hours – Taught Sessions, 70 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 950 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 2: 185 Hours – Taught Sessions, 70 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 945 Hours – Independent Learning
Year 3: 175 Hours – Taught Sessions, 65 Hours - Practical/IT Workshops, 960 Hours – Independent Learning
Who will teach on this course
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
Your future career
As a graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, your knowledge and understanding of highly technical information will give you access to a wide range of career options. These include:
• Analytical chemistry within forensic and environmental organisations
• Chemical research within consumer product, gas, oil and petrochemical companies
• Drug discovery within pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
• Patent attorneys• PGCE qualification leading to teaching at Primary and Secondary schools
• Postgraduate MSc and PhD qualifications at universities across the world
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
