BSc Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

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173

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University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

F107

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650 / year

Next Intake September-2026

BSc Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research

About

Study BSc Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research and gain first-hand experience of the chemical or pharmaceutical industry.

During the first two years you will learn the core chemistry topics which all chemists need to know. Topics include trends in the periodic table, carbonyl group chemistry and chemical kinetics.

You will be taught by world-leading experts through a combination of lectures, lab classes, workshops and tutorials.

If you do not have an A level in Maths, you will take our first year Maths for Chemists module which covers all the topics you will need for Chemistry. Depending on your level of maths, you may have the opportunity to take an option from outside the department.

The work placement in your third year gives you the opportunity to gain industrial experience as well as the chance to apply your knowledge and skills to real-life situations. Recent host companies have included GSK, Unilever and Procter & Gamble.

In your final year you will study more advanced topics influenced by the cutting-edge chemistry taking place around you. The Department 's staff specialise in a number of areas including nanotechnology, synthesis, polymers and advanced materials, surface science and forensic analysis, providing a wide range of options for your final year research project.

If you are interested in teaching as a career, we offer a school-based project in your final year. You will spend one day a week for two terms working alongside both teachers and pupils on an individual project. This project gives you the necessary experience for teacher training applications and helps develop your professional skills for careers which involve working with people.

All our chemistry courses are very flexible and, depending on your grades, you can transfer between them at the end of your first or second year. This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

For more information, please visit the Department of Chemistry website.

Placement

We have a dedicated placements officer who can advise on career options, CVs and letters of application, as well as help you to find a placement. We have previously sent students to companies such as Coty (Rimmel), Dow Corning and GSK. Students have also been placed at foreign research institutions such as the University of Zaragoza, Aarhus University, the University of South Australia and NASA.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB, including grade B in A level Chemistry

As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall, including at least 5 in Chemistry at higher level

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM (Modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified)

GCSE

Maths at grade B (6)

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

English Program Requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

Career

We incorporate skills development into each year of your degree, giving you a better chance of securing work when you leave university. Upon graduation you will have developed a range of skills which are essential for chemists but also make you highly desirable in all areas of employment. These include skills such as planning and organisation, handling information, communication, scientific and practical skills, ICT, problem solving, critical analysis and time management.

The experiences gained whilst working in industry also make you highly employable as they demonstrate independence, adaptability and business awareness. Overall, 92% of graduates from Chemistry are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment (Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22; includes First Degree Chemistry responders).

Graduates go into a range of professions, including becoming analytical scientists, chemical sales reps, organic synthetic chemists, peptide chemists, research chemists and senior analysts, or pursue further academic study.

Past UG graduates from the department of Chemistry at Reading have gone on to work for employers such as AstraZeneca, Campden BRI, Grant Thirton, Unilever, Deloitte, Pfize, PwC, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thames Water, FDM Group, and RSSL (Based on HESA data © HESA 2020 - 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 - 2021/22; includes department of Chemistry responders).

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,650

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

You can apply online for all of our courses, including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year, via the national admissions service, UCAS. You can choose to apply for up to five courses in total, including more than one course at the same institution.

1. Find a course

Browse our undergraduate courses and identify which ones you'd like to apply for. Make sure to check your course's entry requirements before you apply.

2. Begin your application

Our UCAS code is R12. The University does not have a campus code.

3. Write your personal statement

As part of your application, you'll be asked to submit a personal statement to support your application. This is your opportunity to tell us more about why you want to study the course and what interests, skills and experience you have that demonstrate your passion for the subject.

4. Submit your application

When you're happy with your application and have added the required information such as qualifications, personal statement and reference, you can submit your application.

A small charge is made by UCAS for applying to university. The application fee for 2024 entry is £27.50 for up to five choices.

Make sure to check the UCAS website for the most up-to-date application deadlines. If you have missed the January deadline, there is still the opportunity to apply (via UCAS), and we are happy to consider late applications until 30 June 2024 (all applications received after 30 June are entered into Clearing). Please be aware that some of our courses may be full after the January UCAS deadline, so we recommend early applications where possible.