Why study this course?
Chemistry at St Andrews provides students with a fundamental and comprehensive understanding of chemistry, along with 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 your first two years will prepare you to undertake more advanced and specialist modules during your final two years. These specialist subjects include (but are not limited to):
- synthetic methods and reaction mechanisms
- the chemistry of biomolecules
- energy conversion and storage materials
- fragrance, food and colour chemistry
- statistical mechanics and computational chemistry
- the future of sustainable chemicals production
During your degree, you will be introduced to core topics in mainstream physics – such as mechanics, waves, light, electricity and magnetism – as well as learn the fundamental mathematical and computational skills needed for application to physics. You will develop the necessary mathematical, computational, and laboratory skills needed as a physicist.
Later in the course, these underpinning skills and knowledge bases may be used to explain and explore a range of contemporary topics. As you advance in your degree, you are given more flexibility to choose your focus of study, whether that be in theoretical physics or in the direct application of physics to particular areas of interest.
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How it's taught
Teaching
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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
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
- Physics 1A: covers the core subjects of mechanics, waves and optics, and the physical properties of matter. The module also includes a laboratory element to supplement lecture material and develop laboratory skills.
- Physics 1B: covers an introduction to quantum physics, classical mechanics, lasers, and includes laboratory skills. The module also includes a group project element where an open-ended physics-based problem is investigated.
- Mathematics: introduces the ideas and techniques required for further study of mathematics or applications to other sciences.
Students are also strongly advised to take:
- 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 and physics involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
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Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Physics 2A: covers mechanics, special relativity, oscillations, thermal physics, and laboratory skills.
- 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.
- Physics 2B: covers quantum physics, electricity, magnetism and classical waves, and includes laboratory skills.
- Physical Chemistry 2: covers quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, molecular spectroscopy and diffraction, and advanced mathematical tools for chemistry.
- Linear Mathematics: introduces the theory of vector spaces, linear independence, linear transformations and diagonalisation.
- Multivariate Calculus: extends the techniques of calculus in a single variable to the setting of real functions of several variables.
Each of the compulsory sub-honours modules in chemistry and physics involves a mixture of lecture-based and practical teaching.
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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 three (Honours) years.
In third year, you will take a mixture of core and specialist modules in chemistry, which may include topics such as:
- quantum theory of atoms, molecules, and solids
- statistical mechanics and computational chemistry
- advanced spectroscopic methods
- surface science
- functional materials and electrons in solids
- nanostructured materials
- energy conversion and storage
You will also develop your practical, technical, and research skills with chemistry laboratory modules.
Fourth year normally contains the core physics modules, covering:
- atomic, nuclear, and particle physics
- condensed matter physics
- electromagnetism
- mathematics
- quantum mechanics from a physics perspective
- thermal and statistical physics
- a choice of physics lab or advanced condensed matter
A module on studies in physics and chemistry works on developing skills in literature research and in oral and written communication, providing another opportunity to integrate the chemistry and physics learning.
In the final (fifth) year, students will undertake a substantial research project, which can involve both or one of the Schools, and is often done with one or more of the research teams. The remaining content for the year is chosen from a selection of modules. The project aims to develop skills in experimental design and problem solving, evaluation and interpretation of data, independent working, and both oral and written communication.
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.
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.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAAB, including an A in all of Chemistry Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AAAB, including an A in all of Chemistry 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 an A in all of Chemistry Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AAA, including an A in all of Chemistry Mathematics and Physics.
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- Standard entry grades:
- 38 (HL 6,6,6), including an HL6 in Chemistry and HL6 in both: Mathematics, Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5), including an HL6 in Chemistry and HL5 in both: Mathematics, 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?
Yes, applicants are expected to have studied Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.
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.
Careers
St Andrews chemistry and physics graduates are in high demand by large multinational and grassroots companies alike. The Chemistry and Physics degree provides a range of highly desirable skills that are prized by employers across numerous sectors, including:
- the ability to determine what information is needed to solve a problem, and a knowledge of where to find or generate such information
- applicable mathematical and computational techniques and where to use them
- knowledge and understanding of fundamental chemical and physical laws and principles
- the ability to analyse data and evaluate the level of uncertainty in results
- practical and technical skills in the synthesis and analysis of new compounds
- skills to identify relevant principles and laws of physics when dealing with problems
- the ability to assess and manage risk
- communication skills including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely
- the ability to work effectively as a member of a team
Graduates from the Schools of Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy have found employment in fields including:
- banking and commerce
- biophysics
- chemical technologies (manufacturing and processing)
- computing
- the semiconductor industry
- geophysics and geochemistry
- meteorology
- research and development in industry and in government agencies
- patenting
- software development
- teaching
Many MSci graduates continue on to PhD-level degrees both in the UK and overseas.
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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