Course summary

Can you see yourself working abroad or using a foreign language at some point in your career? If you enjoy languages, but your main interest lies with chemistry, then our Chemistry with a Modern Language BSc programme might be for you. The unique feature of this particular three year, single-honours Chemistry with a Modern Language BSc course is the opportunity to improve your modern language skills at the same time as studying chemistry. It is relatively unusual for university graduates to have expertise in a science and also be fluent in a modern language. Graduating with a Chemistry with a Modern Language degree will therefore help you to stand out from the crowd when it comes to applying for a job; indeed, global corporations who have a presence outside of the UK will likely view a bilingual applicant in a very favourable light. You can currently choose to study one of five languages a Birmingham: French, German, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish. Chinese and Japanese are only available from beginner level. French, German and Spanish have 8 levels available (from beginner to post A level). At Birmingham you’ll learn first-hand from world-renowned researchers who are pushing the boundaries of knowledge in areas from nanoscale chemistry and chemical biology to green polymers and chemical imaging. By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to analyse problems and interpret complex data, propose innovative solutions and design new molecules and materials to solve many of the challenges facing society. You will also be equipped with highly developed lab skills, including meticulous analytical work, the measurement of physical properties and the ability to carry out multi-step synthetic procedures. We’ve been at the forefront of chemistry teaching and research for more than 100 years, producing several Nobel Prize-winners along the way, and we have some of the best facilities and equipment in the country. No wonder our students regularly place us among the top chemistry departments in UK for student satisfaction.