Chemistry

Chemistry is the molecular science that explores the composition, properties, structure and reactions of matter. It is sometimes called the central science because it connects physics and mathematics on one side to biology, medicine and materials science on the other, providing the conceptual and experimental tools that underpin fields from drug discovery to renewable energy, from food science to environmental remediation. A chemistry degree develops both deep theoretical understanding and practical laboratory skill, and it produces graduates who are versatile, analytically rigorous and highly sought across multiple industries.

At UCL, one of the UK's most research-intensive universities with particular strengths in physical and synthetic chemistry, this three-year programme provides rigorous training in the core areas of the discipline: inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. You will study molecular structure and bonding, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry and quantum chemistry, developing substantial laboratory skills alongside your theoretical understanding. UCL's chemistry department is home to active research groups working at the frontier of the discipline, and teaching is informed by current scientific practice and discovery.

The typical entry tariff is 168 UCAS points.

Chemistry graduates from UCL move into pharmaceutical and biotechnology research, chemical manufacturing, materials science, environmental consultancy, science communication, patent work, academic research and doctoral study, teaching, and a wide range of other sectors where quantitative and analytical skills are valued. Many continue to doctoral research in organic synthesis, physical chemistry, materials, computational chemistry or related fields. The quantitative reasoning and experimental rigour that chemistry develops also make graduates attractive to employers in finance, data science and consultancy who value scientific training.