Frequently asked questions about our undergraduate chemistry courses

Both contain the same material in years one and two.  However, if you are unsure we recommend applying for the MSci as this gives you the maximum amount of choice later on. If you receive an offer for MSci Chemistry (F101), MSci Chemistry with an International Study Year (F103), MSci Chemistry with a Year in Industry (F105), MSci Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (FC1R) or MSci Medicinal and Biological Chemistry with an Assessed Year in Industry (CF71) and do not meet the MSci grades in your offer, but meet the BSc grades, you will automatically be offered a place for the BSc Chemistry (for students offered F101, F103, or F105) or BSc Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (for students offered FC1R or CF71) degree.

Our UCAS offer will be tailored to your particular application. It will depend on the balance of A2 qualifications that you are studying. Please visit our courses pages to find out about our current offer range.

Transfers may be considered throughout the first 12 months of study depending on your performance and the places that are available. This is because our BSc and MSci Chemistry courses contain the same material in years one and two. Transfers are quite common as students develop their career aspirations. We view this flexibility as a key benefit of our degree structure within the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham.

Nothing. Different universities call their undergraduate masters different things, but both mean the same to potential employers.

Students who do not offer Mathematics at A2 level (or equivalent) will study an additional mathematics for chemists module in Year 1 at Nottingham to ensure they have the necessary mathematics skills for subsequent years of the course.

Yes, we offer a number of scholarships and bursaries. There are prizes for students studying Chemistry and are offered by the School of Chemistry, and bursaries are offered by the University.

Yes and your salary will depend on your placement and employer. Please note that we cannot guarantee student placements since students will usually follow the application and selection procedures of the companies that they are applying to. Those students who do not gain a placement for their third year will join year three of MSci Chemistry (F101) or MSci Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (FC1R).

No. This is covered by your fees.

We have a well stocked Science Library opposite the School of Chemistry which contains multiple copies of our recommended textbooks. We have one recommended textbook in each of three main branches of chemistry and have worked closely with our on-campus Blackwell’s Bookshop to offer you these textbooks at a substantial discounted rate.

Our Budget Planner provides details of what you’ll need to budget for while you are studying and living in Nottingham.

Yes, we have a vibrant student-run chemistry society, which is called ChemSoc.  The society organises visits by speakers from the chemistry industry, promotes social events that run throughout the year, and offers a support network for all of our undergraduate chemists.

42% of chemistry undergraduates in the School of Chemistry are female, while 22% of our academic and research staff are female.

Typically, you’ll have around 10 hours of lectures and 8 to 10 hours laboratory work per week. In addition, your lectures in chemistry are supported by tutorials.

It depends on the module choices you take, but a typical student is assessed by a combination of traditional written examinations (60%) and continual assessment (40%).

A number of students choose to work in research laboratories within the School of Chemistry during their summer vacations. These eight-to-ten week projects are paid placements and provide valuable experience for undergraduate students by providing them with the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge, chemical research laboratory.

Many of our graduates take up industrial positions within chemistry or pursue PhDs in chemistry or related sciences. A number of our graduates gain employment in other sectors which can include education, finance, marketing and the media. You can find out more about the opportunities available by visiting our Careers and Employability website.