Chemistry with a year in Industry

Chemistry is the science of matter and its transformations. It asks what everything is made of, how atoms and molecules interact, and how we can design and synthesise new materials and compounds with useful properties. It is a discipline of extraordinary breadth, underpinning the pharmaceutical industry, materials science, food technology, environmental science and the development of new energy systems, among many other fields.

A chemistry degree develops both the theoretical understanding of molecular behaviour and the practical laboratory skills to investigate it.

At the University of East Anglia, this four-year full-time programme includes a year in industry, placing you within a commercial or research organisation for an extended period of professional work. This gives you direct experience of how chemistry is practised outside the university, whether in a pharmaceutical company, a chemical manufacturer, a research institute or another organisation that employs chemists. Academically, you will cover the core areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, alongside analytical techniques, computational chemistry and the mathematical methods the discipline relies on.

The industrial year deepens your professional skills and often leads directly to graduate employment.

Chemistry graduates are in demand across a wide range of sectors. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are major employers, as are specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, materials science, food and drink, cosmetics and environmental testing. Many graduates move into research and development, quality control, regulatory affairs or technical sales.

The industrial year built into this programme gives graduates a significant advantage in a competitive market. Postgraduate study, including PhDs in chemistry and related fields, is also a common route, particularly for those aiming for research careers in industry or academia.