Why study this course?
The BSc (Hons) in Chemical Sciences will teach you the fundamentals of chemistry, from the composition and properties of matter to using reactions to create new molecules and materials. You will learn about the critical role of chemistry in industries and new technologies, from pharmaceuticals to accessing drinkable water, and from efficient energy generation to sustainable food production. This degree allows you to include a small component of a non-chemistry subject at Honours level. Examples include modules in science communication and teaching, psychology, management or economics.
This degree is especially suited to students who want a career where a strong science base is needed, but who perhaps wish to apply this outside the research sector, for example, the technology sector, teaching, journalism or patent law.
Course details
The BSc in Chemical Sciences is a four-year course run by the School of Chemistry. Chemical Sciences at St Andrews provides students with a fundamental and comprehensive understanding of chemistry, along with the flexibility to study some modules at Honours level in other science, social science or business-related subjects. In addition to technical skills, you will receive a highly transferrable training in numeracy, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills.
In the first two years, you will take modules in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
Alongside chemistry, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
The knowledge and skills in research and analysis that you gain during the sub-honours years will prepare you to undertake more advanced and specialist modules during your final two (Honours) years. These specialist subjects include (but are not limited to):
- organometallic chemistry
- carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemistry
- synthetic methodology
- quantum theory of atoms, molecules and solids
During your final year, you will also carry out a research project in one of the School’s highly rated research groups on a topic chosen in consultation with staff from the School of Chemistry.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits.
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“I think it is incredible to learn about the subject from leading experts in the field, and to have them help us along when we are in laboratories and lectures. We are given to tools to undertake projects on our own at a very early stage in our academic careers so by the time we graduate we will be skilled to enter industrial laboratories and pursue postgraduate research with ease.”
- New York, USA
How it's taught
Teaching
Chemistry is taught through a combination of lectures (80 to over 200 students) and labs (20 to 50 students), which are supplemented by small group tutorials (5 to 10 students). Class sizes decrease at Honours level.
All lecture courses have online support materials, and additional teaching support is given for selected topics, such as mathematics.
When not attending lectures, tutorials and other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in a laboratory
- undertaking research in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations
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All sub-honours modules are assessed by 60% to 70% written examinations combined with 30% to 40% coursework covering laboratories, tutorials and transferable skills exercises.
For Honours modules, assessment is either by written examination for lecture-based modules, or by coursework including written reports, oral presentations and oral examinations for laboratory, workshop and research project modules.
Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.
The School aims to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
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You will be taught by an experienced teaching team of world-leading academics and specialists in chemical education. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken training may also contribute to the teaching of practical classes under the supervision of the module leader.
You can find contact information for all chemistry staff on the School of Chemistry website.
The University's services and support teams can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities, as well as many other difficulties and challenges students might face while studying.
Modules
In the first two years of your degree (sub-honours level) you will take the required modules in chemistry alongside modules in at least one other subject.
Typically, you will take one or two chemistry modules per semester during your first two years, and four to six per semester during your third and fourth year (Honours level).
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
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Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: This module covers origin of the elements and the periodic table, atomic structure, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, and mathematical tools for chemistry.
- Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1: covers bonding in simple molecules, inorganic solids, chemistry of the first-row transition metals, properties of solids, states of matter, and introductory spectroscopy.
- Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: This module covers the structure and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, basic stereochemistry, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bioorganic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy
Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
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Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Inorganic Chemistry 2: This module develops via lectures, tutorials, a group presentation and laboratory classes, students’ knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry across the breadth of the periodic table as preparation advanced studies.
- Organic Chemistry 2: covers methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and interconversion of functional groups, aromatic and heteroaromatic reactivity, retrosynthetic analysis, mechanistic biological chemistry and organic spectroscopy.
- Organic Chemistry 2 (French): covers methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and interconversion of functional groups, aromatic and heteroaromatic reactivity, retrosynthetic analysis, mechanistic biological chemistry and organic spectroscopy
- Physical Chemistry 2: covers quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, molecular spectroscopy and diffraction, and advanced mathematical tools for chemistry.
Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
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If you decide to take Chemical Sciences in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced modules in chemistry alongside a small number of modules in other science, social science or business-related subjects.
Here is a sample of Honours modules in chemistry that have been offered in previous years:
- Blockbuster Pharmaceuticals
- Energy Conversion and Storage
- Fragrance, Food and Colour Chemistry
- Functional Materials and Electrons in Solids
- Heterocyclic and Pericyclic Chemistry
In fourth year, students will conduct a research project which is designed to develop your skills in experimental design and problem-solving, the evaluation and interpretation of data, independent working, and both oral and written communication skills. The project is chosen in consultation with and supervised by a member of academic staff.
Fees and funding
- Scotland: Tuition fees are yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535 (yet to be confirmed by the UK Government)
- EU and overseas: £33,250
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Additional costs
There are no additional fees for labs in the School. However, the School expects that students provide their own lab coat, lab book, and in line with University policy, to purchase a number of textbooks as part of their study.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAAB, including A in Chemistry and an A in one other subject from the following: Biology (or Human Biology), Computing Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB, including A in Chemistry and an A in one other subject from the following: Biology (or Human Biology), Computing Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAA, including A in Chemistry.
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB, including A in Chemistry.
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- Standard entry grades:
- 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Chemistry and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Chemistry and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Biology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University's entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
Applicants must have studied Chemistry at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.
Alternative study options
Students interested in this course may also be interested in the following:
Direct entry to second year
Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.
Integrated Masters
It is possible to take Chemistry as a five-year Integrated Masters course, allowing you to graduate with a Master in Chemistry.
Gateway programmes
Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.
Study abroad
Chemistry students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. Chemistry students are only able to study abroad for the full academic year (semester placements are not available). For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Careers
St Andrews chemistry graduates have an employment rate of over 95% and are in demand by large multinational and grassroots companies alike. Chemistry degrees provide a range of highly desirable skills that are prized by employers across numerous sectors, including:
- problem-solving
- numeracy
- data handling
- teamwork
- oral and written communication
St Andrews chemistry graduates move into a wide range of employment both in the chemical and allied industries, as well as sectors outside physical sciences.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
What to do next
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.
Undergraduate visiting days
We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3800
- chemistry@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Chemistry
Purdie Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST
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