Course summary
Chemistry is at the heart of solutions to many of today’s biggest challenges, from climate change to the treatment of disease. On this degree you’ll study chemistry to an advanced level, equipping you to change the world for the better. This is our most flexible chemistry degree, enabling you to tailor your degree to the areas that spark your curiosity. Options include medicinal chemistry, sustainable chemistry, chemical biology and the fast-growing field of computational chemistry. Ranked 4th in the UK by the 2024 Guardian University Guide, you’ll work in fantastic facilities that include chemical engineering laboratories, a dedicated chemical engineering computer suite and a virtual control room, where you’ll learn to run a simulation of a real chemical plant, using the same simulations used by industry to train their staff. You’ll be prepared for a role as a professional chemist or may choose to use your skills in another field. Our graduates have achieved success in sectors including finance, banking, accountancy, sales and marketing, management, patent law and teaching. Supporting your studies You’ll be part of a supportive Chemistry community, with a personal academic tutor to provide any extra help you need, both academically and personally. In years one and two we limit tutorials to a maximum of five students, so you’ll have plenty of time and attention from your tutors. Between classes, the Chemistry department will be your ‘home’ on campus, where you can grab a coffee in the common room, catch up with friends and talk to staff. Outstanding undergraduate laboratories Take advantage of our recently refurbished labs, which opened in 2019 as part of a £12m investment in Chemistry’s facilities. You’ll study in bright, spacious modern laboratories using new, high-tech equipment, which is the same as you’ll find if you go on to work in the chemical industry. Each student has a laptop to use in the laboratory, for analysing data and writing laboratory reports. Gain hands-on practical experience with research-grade equipment such as NMR and IR spectrometers and X-ray diffractometers. You’ll make and analyse your own samples, with full support and training, rather than sending samples to be analysed or watching demonstrations. And your lab work will incorporate modern ‘green’ chemistry practices that are used in industry. Learn about research as it happens Part of a research-active Russell Group university, Chemistry at Southampton is joint first in the UK for research intensity (Complete University Guide 2022), which means you’ll learn from staff who are making trailblazing discoveries. Our academics are advancing battery technology for cleaner energy, designing drugs for hard-to-treat cancers, and using digital modelling in the fight against COVID-19, to name just a few examples. They will share their passion with you, bringing the most up-to-date knowledge to your seminars and lectures. The breadth of their research activities gives you a wide choice of project topics.
Modules
Core modules in the first and second year are shared across most of our chemistry degrees. This makes it easy to transfer if you decide you’d like to do our MChem with six-month or year-long placement. Depending on your optional module choices or level of maths study, there’s also the possibility of moving to one of our specialist MChem courses. In years one and two, core modules provide a solid foundation for more in-depth study in your third and fourth year. You’ll learn the fundamentals of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, as well as practical lab techniques. In year one you’ll also take a mathematics module tailored to your previous maths experience. You’ll be able to select optional modules in years two, three and four. These cover a wide range of topics, such as: • environmental chemistry; • chemical biology; • introduction to programming; • medicinal chemistry; • artificial intelligence and machine learning in chemistry; • synthetic methods in organic chemistry; • sustainable chemistry; • quantum mechanics in chemistry and spectroscopy. You can also choose modules from other disciplines such as oceanography, biology, physics or a language. Year three includes advanced practical projects, and in year four you’ll undertake an advanced research project in an area that interests you, working with one of our research groups. You’ll contribute to chemistry research, develop your professional skills and generate new knowledge, and there’s a good chance of getting your research published. For detailed module information, please visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/chemistry-degree-mchem#modules.
Assessment method
There are written examinations at the end of each semester to test your knowledge and understanding of material presented in the lectures and workshops. The practical work is continuously assessed primarily through written reports. Project work is assessed by dissertation and oral examination together with a report on your relevant skills from your supervisor. A written literature review related to the project is also assessed. Coursework exercises based on the lecture material are set each week and feedback is provided promptly. In some cases coursework marks are used in calculating your overall mark for the particular module of study. However in most cases coursework is simply to give you an indication of your progress. The research project will be assessed via a variety of means including review of your laboratory notebook, your assessments of the risks and hazards of your work, written reports, oral presentations, the production of a dissertation, and an oral examination.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Chemistry, Royal Society of
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F103
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAA - AAB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 - 36 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - A - B
Extended Project - A
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H2 - H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, D3 - D3, D3, M2
GCSE/National 4/National 5
If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | with no component below 6.0 |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £27400 | Year 1 |
International | £27400 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ