BSc Chemistry and Mathematics
About this course
BSc (Hons) Chemistry and Mathematics is a Natural Sciences degree combining chemical principles with mathematical methods. Core topics include programming, statistics, mathematical modelling, laboratory techniques and research methods. The first year is shared across the course, after which students can transfer to the MSci Chemistry and Mathematics, MChem, BSc Chemistry or MSci Natural Sciences. Following Year 2, students may also opt for a 'with Year Abroad' or 'with Placement' pathway, extending the course to four years. The first year covers the foundations of both subjects through Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding and Energetics, Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics, Calculus I, Linear Algebra I and Dynamics and Relativity, with optional modules previously including Programming I, Probability I and Statistics I. Year 2 builds on these with compulsory chemistry modules Principles of Inorganic Chemistry: Symmetry and Transition Metal Complexes and Principles of Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Spectroscopy, compulsory mathematics modules Algebra II, Methods of Mathematical Physics II and Mathematical Methods II, and practical training in Practical Measurement and Analysis - Level 2. The final year centres on Contemporary Physical Chemistry: Statistical Thermodynamics and Kinetics and Practical Measurement and Analysis Level 3, alongside two compulsory capstone project modules selected from Mathematics Project, Chemistry Dissertation, Science into Schools and Science Enterprise. Optional third-year modules have included Quantum Mechanics III, Solitons III, Partial Differential Equations III, Differential Geometry III, Mathematical Biology III and Analysis and Topology III.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA including A in Chemistry and either A*A in any order in Maths and Further Maths at A level or A* in Maths plus A in AS Further Maths. IB: 37 including 7 in Higher Level in Mathematics (maths analysis & approaches), 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6 in a further Higher Level subject.
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What students say
Based on about 102 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 235 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 7%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 91 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 58%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 12%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 28%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Natural and social science professionals: 17%
- Administrative occupations: 6%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 72%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 87%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 54%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 275 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 9%
- North West: 9%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 33%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 4%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 240 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 99%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding and Energetics
- Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics
- Calculus I
- Linear Algebra I
- Dynamics and Relativity
- Example optional modules
- Principles of Inorganic Chemistry: Symmetry and Transition Metal Complexes
- Principles of Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Spectroscopy
- Practical Measurement and Analysis - Level 2
- Algebra II
- Methods of Mathematical Physics II
- Mathematical Methods II
- Capstone Project Modules: including Mathematics Project, Chemistry Dissertation, Science into Schools or Science Enterprise module (40 credits in total)
- Contemporary Physical Chemistry: Statistical Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- Practical Measurement and Analysis Level 3
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £36,000 after 3 years, £50,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £35,500 and £66,000. The £50,000 median after five years is £16,000 more than the UK median for Chemistry.
What do graduates of BSc Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 201 UCAS points.
Does BSc Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.