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Chemistry

University of Leeds

About this course

MChem, BSc in Chemistry, a chemistry degree exploring the central science of matter, synthesis and chemical processes. Core topics include Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, and Microelectronics. The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry and includes industrial work placement opportunities as well as study abroad programmes. The first year establishes fundamental scientific concepts through compulsory modules such as Introduction to Modern Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemists for a Sustainable Future, Introduction to Practical Chemistry and Research Skills, Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter, Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology and Synthesis, and Chemistry of the Material World, with an optional module in Maths for Scientists. The second year continues with core learning via Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life, Molecules, Energy, Quanta and Change, Practical, Professional and Research Skills for Chemists, Chemistry of Materials: What They Are and How We Know, Organometallics: From Bonding to Catalysis, Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography, and Specialisms in Chemical Science. The third year offers optional study across areas such as Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry, Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry in the Real World, Big Data, Big Science, Ethical Issues in Chemistry, and Chemistry into Schools, alongside Project and Research Skills. The final year comprises compulsory advanced study through the Integrated Masters Project and Advanced Topics in Chemistry.

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.

Institution
University of Leeds
Level
undergraduate
Subject
Chemistry
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
F103
Typical offer
A-level AAB
Median salary
£35,000 after 5 years

Entry requirements

A level: AAB BTEC: D*DD with a significant number of Chemical and Scientific Modules. IB: 6,6,5 at Higher Level including Chemistry.

See the highest paying Physics & Chemistry degrees in the UK →

Real offers for this course

Applicants have posted 3 UCAS decisions for Chemistry (F103) at the University of Leeds for 2027 entry so far: 3 offers. The published offer is AAB at A level.

All 87 posts for University of Leeds

What students say

Based on about 43 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university

  • Teaching on my course: 89%
  • Learning opportunities: 82%
  • Assessment and feedback: 75%
  • Academic support: 90%
  • Organisation and management: 81%
  • Learning resources: 82%
  • Student voice: 77%

Do students stay on the course?

Based on about 40 students who started

  • Continued on course: 95%
  • Moved to a lower qualification: 5%

What graduates do next

Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)

  • Working: 45%
  • Working and studying: 20%
  • Further study: 20%

Most common jobs

  • Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
  • Elementary occupations: 10%
  • Natural and social science professionals: 10%
  • Teaching Professionals: 10%
  • Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
  • Find their work meaningful: 65%
  • Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
  • Use what they learnt on the course: 40%

Where graduates work (5 years on)

Based on about 165 graduates, across similar courses at this university

  • North East: 6%
  • North West: 16%
  • Yorkshire and the Humber: 36%
  • East Midlands: 4%
  • West Midlands: 4%
  • East of England: 9%
  • London: 13%
  • South East: 7%
  • South West: 1%
  • Wales: 2%
  • Scotland: 2%

Who gets in

Based on about 50 students who started

  • A levels: 100%

Accreditation & quality ratings

  • Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.

Modules

  • safely handle reagents/solvents and manipulate laboratory apparatus
  • synthesize inorganic and organic molecules of straightforward structural complexity
  • determine structure using spectroscopic data such as infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
  • record data and physical measurements and comment on their precision and accuracy
  • use PC-based spreadsheets, graphics and word-processing packages to manipulate and plot data and to prepare reports.
  • Introduction to Modern Chemistry
  • Chemistry and Chemists for a Sustainable Future
  • Introduction to Practical Chemistry and Research Skills
  • Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter
  • Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology and Synthesis
  • Chemistry of the Material World
  • Maths for Scientists
  • Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life
  • Molecules, Energy, Quanta and Change
  • Practical, Professional and Research Skills for Chemists
  • Chemistry of Materials: What They Are and How We Know
  • Organometallics: From Bonding to Catalysis
  • Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography
  • Specialisms in Chemical Science
  • Project and Research Skills
  • Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
  • Extended Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
  • Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry
  • Extended Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry
  • Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry
  • Extended Topics in Physical, Theoretical and Environmental Chemistry
  • Chemistry in the Real World
  • Big Data, Big Science
  • Ethical Issues in Chemistry
  • Chemistry into Schools
  • Applications of New Machine Learning Algorithms for Synthetic chemistry
  • Green Peptide Synthesis for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Designing metal oxide based chemical gardens for waste water treatment
  • Chemistry at the Extremes: Reaction kinetics at interstellar temperatures
  • Tackling air pollution via probing the atmosphere with lasers
  • Re-engineering bacterial toxins for drug delivery
  • The development of interactive web-based visualisation tools for chemical education
  • Developing an online drug discovery project for use in the undergraduate laboratory course
  • Controlling crystallization in organic semiconductor films for light emitting diodes
  • Graphene-Enhanced Nano-Clay Materials for Fuel Purification Applications
  • Integrated Masters Project
  • Advanced Topics in Chemistry

Questions about this course

How much do graduates of Chemistry at University of Leeds earn?

The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £45,000. The £35,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Chemistry.

What do graduates of Chemistry at University of Leeds do next?

80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).

Are students happy with the teaching on Chemistry at University of Leeds?

89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.

What grades do I need for Chemistry at University of Leeds?

The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.

Is Chemistry at University of Leeds accredited?

Yes. Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Does Chemistry at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?

The course has an optional year abroad.

How many students continue on Chemistry at University of Leeds?

95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.