Chemistry with a Year in Industry MChem, BSc

Chemistry is an intriguing and diverse science. Our chemistry degrees take a wide ranging view of the subject and allow you to explore many aspects – from atmospheric chemistry to solid state and materials chemistry. We aim to allow you to achieve your potential, so we balance our courses to prepare you for a career in any area of the subject, while allowing you to develop as a researcher in a specialism of your choice.

On this course, you’ll discover how chemistry shapes the world around us. You can study topics ranging from quantum mechanics to planetary atmospheres, from making organic chemicals to producing medicinal drugs and from bonding in metals to the structures of synthetic and biological materials.

Course Highlights

The course modules are inspired by our research strengths in areas such as chemical biology, atmospheric chemistry, materials science and colour science.

During your project work you may benefit from access to specialist facilities and laboratories.

You will have the opportunity to attend career development workshops, which will help you in completing future application forms and prepare for interviews.

Enhancing your degree

This course provides you with the opportunity to spend your 3rd year working in industry, which provides valuable work experience and help your personal development.

Our industrial placement scheme gives you the opportunity to gain work experience in an industry relevant to your degree and interests. Our students often describe this industrial experience as an invaluable part of their degree and one which stands them in good stead for their future careers.

If you're not yet sure whether to take a placement year, don't worry - you don't have to make a final decision until the end of your 2nd year when you have more experience of studying chemistry at university.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Bachelor accreditation provides access to qualified membership of the RSC and forms a basis for satisfying the academic requirements for the RSC’s award of Chartered Chemist (CChem), through further study or continuing professional development.

.

During your first year you’ll study the fundamental principles that underpin chemistry. In the years that follow, you'll build on these initial foundations and cover a wide range of different aspects of chemistry. During your third year, you’ll be employed full-time by an organisation in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, or similar, subject to successfully securing a placement.

All of the theoretical modules are backed up by extensive practical sessions in the laboratory, allowing you to perform experiments that reinforce the material taught to you in the lectures. In addition, small tutorial groups are used to support the teaching, so you get regular feedback from the academic staff helping you solve any problems that you might have with a particular topic.

As you advance through the course, you can select which modules you study in order to explore advanced topics in more detail. You can investigate how chemists use their skills to:

• understand complex biological systems
• synthesise molecules in just one of two mirror image forms
• assemble large molecular architectures with supramolecular chemistry
• discover new catalysts which improve the efficiency of chemical transformations
• understand human interaction with the climate through atmospheric chemistry

In your final year you'll undertake a major research project, working with experienced scientists and supported by millions of pounds of specialist equipment. You'll have the opportunity to discover new chemistry and define new concepts for science.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Chemistry with a Year in Industry MChem, BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

As a chemistry student at Leeds we ensure that you benefit from a wide range of teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practical lab work.

These different methods of teaching, together with the continuous support of our teaching staff, enable you to effectively apply what you have learnt through a series of exams, coursework, and continuous assessment. This means that you graduate with the correct mix of knowledge and transferable skills for a successful future career, whatever you choose to do.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

The types of assessment used for each module aim to measure the learning outcomes we want you to achieve. Although formal end-of-semester examinations are predominant, often accounting for 80% or more of the formal assessment, many modules include a significant coursework element. You are also continuously assessed through practical work.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including Chemistry

Where an A-Level science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification - We recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ we may make an offer of ABB at A-Level.

GCSE: English Language grade C (4), or an equivalent English language qualification, and Mathematics grade B (6).

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above. Must contain a significant number of Chemistry and Mathematics modules.

• BTEC

  DDD with a significant number of Chemical and Scientific Modules

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3 D3 M2 in 3 principal subjects including Chemistry

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in Higher Level Chemistry

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  H1 H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 including higher level Chemistry

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  Suitable combinations of Scottish Higher and Advanced Highers are acceptable, though Chemistry must be presented at Advanced Higher level. Typically AAABB including Chemistry at Advanced Higher.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any one component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Applicant days

Suitable UK based applicants will be invited to an applicant day, which is not mandatory, but for which we strongly encourage attendance, as this gives you the opportunity to meet our staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course. During the day you’ll have a group tutorial/ informal interview with an academic member of staff, to check that it’s the right course for you and your career plans, have your questions answered and find out more about studying at Leeds.

After you apply we will send you a link to book your place on the applicant day, but please let us know as soon as possible if you cannot attend.

If you have non-standard qualifications, a technical interview may be part of the selection procedure. This is to ensure that the course is suitable for you and that your current studies have prepared you for the curriculum at Leeds. If you are unable to attend, a telephone or Skype interview may be arranged. For further information, read our admissions policy.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Policy

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £23,750 (per year)

Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2021/22 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in summer. When the fee is confirmed, we will publish an update on this website.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships

The School of Chemistry awards a range of scholarships.

Our integrated Masters courses are specifically designed for students considering a career as a professional chemist or who may want to continue on to do a PhD.

One of the key features of this course is the individual practical research project, which forms a major part of your final year of study. It is your opportunity to carry out a brand new project, supervised by a leading academic, in a cutting edge area of medicinal chemistry. The quality of the project work is so high that a number of our final year research projects are published in peer-reviewed journals every year. Many of our students find this the most exciting and rewarding part of their degree.

With the depth of chemical knowledge in combination with generic skills that you develop over the duration of this course, you'll be prepared for a career in a range of areas both within the chemical industry and in a range of other sectors, from finance to management and teaching to scientific journalism.

The University of Leeds is in the top ten most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2020 report.

For further information on career paths and employability please see our careers pages.

Careers support

Throughout your degree course we will make sure that you have the support and opportunity to develop the skills and experience you’ll need to make the most of your career choices. The students’ union also provides volunteering opportunities which can help you in your personal development.

We teach problem-solving and high level thinking at all stages of your degree. Our programmes provide you with opportunities to develop the core subject knowledge and skills that you need to progress to a career in a particular area. Additionally, we offer skills development modules and modules that will give you an insight into industrial new product development, from concept to market, in the chemical and allied industries. These modules lead you through the various stages of setting up a new social enterprise, from the inception and development of the idea itself, through preparation of a business plan to creating a funding proposal for potential investors/grant awarding bodies.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

The industrial placement (“Year in Industry”) scheme provides you with the opportunity to experience salaried work before you graduate. Employers actively seek graduates who already have work experience and it can make all the difference in interviews. In addition, the opportunity to work every day with scientists who are experts in their field is an incredible opportunity to enhance your knowledge of chemistry.

On this course, your industrial placement replaces the third year of your degree (it does not add an additional year to your studies).

An industrial placement will boost your self-confidence, not only in your chosen subject area, but in the marketplace generally. You will be able to choose from a range of pharmaceutical, oil, fine chemical, colour, polymer and other chemistry-related industries in which to work. In previous years, students have worked at many prestigious companies, including:

• AstraZeneca
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Pfizer
• Roche
• Unilever

During your industrial placement you will have an industrial supervisor from within the company, plus an academic supervisor who will keep in touch throughout your placement.

If you are not sure right now whether or not an industrial placement is right for you, don't worry - you will not have to start applying for placements until the beginning of your second year.