Course summary
OVERVIEW The BSc (Hons) Chemistry provides you with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills you need for a career in the dynamic fields of drug research, environmental analysis and forensic science. With an emphasis on strong academic content and theoretical underpinnings, practical experience and modern chemical instrumentation, this degree focuses on analytical chemistry and health-related fields. Our course includes practical aspects to develop your analytical, problem-solving and numeracy skills. Small-group workshops, tutorials and presentations will improve your communication and presentation skills, making you attractive for a successful career in chemical sciences. PRACTICAL FOCUS You will have access to high-quality laboratory environments and with links to active research groups, the range of subjects and practical opportunities available on this degreee are based on real-life examples from industry to prepare you for the workplace. You will study the general aspects of chemistry including organic, inorganic and physical chemistry throughout the programme up to an advanced level with additional learning including topics such as enzymes and pharmaceutical production and safety, environmental chemistry, spectroscopy and photochemistry. In addition, there is the option to undertake a paid 12 month industrial placement between years 3 and 4 within an environment relevant to your specialism. Placements are designed to help cement your learning and can make you more attractive to recruiters upon graduation. In the past, students have undertaken placement/work-based learning with organisation such as Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Doosan Babcock and Taytech Environmental Solutions. Please note that placements are competitive in nature and not guaranteed. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION Our course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).The RSC is the UK’s professional body for chemical scientists with a worldwide community. The BSc will prepare for Associate Membership (AMRSC) and will help you as you build your professional experience. CAREER PROSPECTS UWS’s BSc (Hons) Chemistry is recognised by employers for its impressive analytical and applications focus. Jobs Many of our graduates move into careers in the oil, chemical or pharmaceutical industries, in production, sales and marketing or research and development roles. Graduates from this degree have gone on to secure the following roles: Process chemist, Laboratory supervisor, Medicinal chemist. Chemistry graduates are also sought by non-scientific employers such as stockbrokers thanks to their numerical and problem-solving skills. Further Study Some graduates choose further study when they complete their studies and we have had graduates progress to MSc, PhD and teaching qualifications.
Modules
In your first year, you will study general aspects of chemistry including organic, inorganic and physical chemistry along with two other science subjects. In Year 2, you will further develop your studies in organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry and practical skills are developed in all four areas. Optional studies in subjects such as forensic science may be studied. Year 3 further build upon your knowledge from years 1 and 2 but adds to it with studies in enzymes and pharmaceutical production and safety, and environmental chemistry. Your final year of studies include a varied range of advanced topics such as spectroscopy, photochemistry and advanced analytical techniques. You will also undertake an individual research project, usually on a topic of your choice.
Assessment method
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical workshops and guided laboratory work. There will also be group work, literature reports and research projects in order to ensure our degrees provide a strong set of additional skills, such as presentational and communicative skills. Our Chemistry degrees use a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect: Written examinations / Oral presentation / Written reports / Coursework / Academic posters
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Chemistry, Royal Society of
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
25Jan
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:
- F100
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
- Campus code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 114 points
A level - BBC
Scottish Higher - ABBB
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) in Access to Science (must include Chemistry); Access to Life Sciences, and Access to Medicine.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 108 points
A level - BCC
Scottish Higher - BBBB
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
DUO LINGO In addition ot the above English Language tests, for 2022-23 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
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
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £17250* | Year 1 |
| International | £17250* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE