Course summary
OVERVIEW The BSc (Hons) Chemistry provides you with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills you need for a career in the dynamic fields of drug research, environmental analysis and forensic science. With an emphasis on strong academic content and theoretical underpinnings, practical experience and modern chemical instrumentation, this degree focuses on analytical chemistry and health-related fields. Our course includes practical aspects to develop your analytical, problem-solving and numeracy skills. Small-group workshops, tutorials and presentations will improve your communication and presentation skills, making you attractive for a successful career in chemical sciences. PRACTICAL FOCUS You will have access to high-quality laboratory environments and with links to active research groups, the range of subjects and practical opportunities available on this degreee are based on real-life examples from industry to prepare you for the workplace. You will study the general aspects of chemistry including organic, inorganic and physical chemistry throughout the programme up to an advanced level with additional learning including topics such as enzymes and pharmaceutical production and safety, environmental chemistry, spectroscopy and photochemistry. In addition, there is the option to undertake a paid 12 month industrial placement between years 3 and 4 within an environment relevant to your specialism. Placements are designed to help cement your learning and can make you more attractive to recruiters upon graduation. In the past, students have undertaken placement/work-based learning with organisation such as Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Doosan Babcock and Taytech Environmental Solutions. Please note that placements are competitive in nature and not guaranteed. PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION Our course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).The RSC is the UK’s professional body for chemical scientists with a worldwide community. The BSc will prepare for Associate Membership (AMRSC) and will help you as you build your professional experience. CAREER PROSPECTS UWS’s BSc (Hons) Chemistry is recognised by employers for its impressive analytical and applications focus. Jobs Many of our graduates move into careers in the oil, chemical or pharmaceutical industries, in production, sales and marketing or research and development roles. Graduates from this degree have gone on to secure the following roles: Process chemist, Laboratory supervisor, Medicinal chemist. Chemistry graduates are also sought by non-scientific employers such as stockbrokers thanks to their numerical and problem-solving skills. Further Study Some graduates choose further study when they complete their studies and we have had graduates progress to MSc, PhD and teaching qualifications.
Modules
In your first year, you will study general aspects of chemistry including organic, inorganic and physical chemistry along with two other science subjects. In Year 2, you will further develop your studies in organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry and practical skills are developed in all four areas. Optional studies in subjects such as forensic science may be studied. Year 3 further build upon your knowledge from years 1 and 2 but adds to it with studies in enzymes and pharmaceutical production and safety, and environmental chemistry. Your final year of studies include a varied range of advanced topics such as spectroscopy, photochemistry and advanced analytical techniques. You will also undertake an individual research project, usually on a topic of your choice.
Assessment method
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical workshops and guided laboratory work. There will also be group work, literature reports and research projects in order to ensure our degrees provide a strong set of additional skills, such as presentational and communicative skills. Our Chemistry degrees use a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect: Written examinations / Oral presentation / Written reports / Coursework / Academic posters
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Chemistry, Royal Society of
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F100
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
- Campus code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Year 2 Entry: Scottish Advanced Highers: CCD including Chemistry plus one science subject at National 5 or above A Levels: BBC including Chemistry plus one other science subject at GCSE level International Baccalaureate: 28 points including Chemistry and one other science SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Chemistry; Applied Science c Year 3 Entry: SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND/Foundation Degree: Applied Science; Applied Chemical Science
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 90 points
A level - CCD
Scottish Higher - BCCC
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCD
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
T Level - M
Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) in Access to Science (must include Chemistry); Access to Life Sciences, and Access to Medicine.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 84 points
A level - CCD
Scottish Higher - CCCC
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £16000 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE