Chemistry

From human health to climate change, chemistry is critical to solving today’s biggest global challenges. On this degree you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to make a difference to our world and society.

Study topics that spark your curiosity in areas such as sustainable chemistry, chemical biology and the fast-growing field of computational chemistry – where chemistry and digital skills meet. You’ll carry out experiments in recently refurbished labs, and learn from inspirational academics at a Russell Group university where extraordinary research advances feed into your degree.

You’ll be prepared for a role as a professional chemist or may choose to use your skills in another field. Our graduates have achieved success in sectors including finance, banking, accountancy, sales and marketing, management, patent law and teaching.

Supporting your studies
You’ll be part of a supportive Chemistry community, with a personal academic tutor to provide any extra help you need, both academically and personally. During years one and two the size of tutorials is limited to five students, so you’ll have plenty of time and attention from your tutors.

Between classes, the Chemistry department will be your ‘home’ on campus, where you can grab a coffee in the common room, catch up with friends and talk to staff.

Outstanding undergraduate laboratories
Ranked 4th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2024 you can take advantage of our recently refurbished labs, which opened in 2019 as part of a £12m investment in Chemistry’s facilities. You’ll study in bright and spacious modern laboratories using new, high-tech equipment, which is the same as you’ll find if you go on to work in the chemical industry. Each student has a laptop to use in the laboratory, for analysing data and writing laboratory reports.

Gain hands-on practical experience with research-grade equipment such as NMR and IR spectrometers and X-ray diffractometers. You’ll make and analyse your own samples, with full support and training, rather than sending samples to be analysed or watching demonstrations. And your lab work will incorporate modern ‘green’ chemistry practices that are used in industry.

Learn about research as it happens
Part of a research-active Russell Group university, Chemistry at Southampton means you’ll be surrounded by trailblazing research, and you’ll be taught by the people who are doing it.

Our academics are advancing battery technology for cleaner energy, designing drugs for hard-to-treat cancers, and using digital modelling in the fight against COVID-19, to name just a few examples. They will share their passion for their specialist areas with you, bringing the most up-to-date knowledge to your seminars and lectures. And you’ll have the opportunity to join one of their research groups, for your third-year project or by doing a summer placement.

Core modules in the first and second year are shared across most of our chemistry degrees. This makes it possible to transfer if you decide you’d like to do the MChem or one of the placement degrees. Depending on your optional module choices or level of maths study, there’s also the possibility of moving to one of our specialist MChem courses.

The year one and two core modules cover the fundamentals of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, as well as laboratory skills. In the first year you’ll also take a mathematics module tailored to your previous maths experience.

In years two and three you can personalise your learning by choosing from a wide range of optional modules. Topics include:

• environmental chemistry
• programming
• biochemistry
• global sustainability
• cell biology and physiology

In year three you’ll conduct an advanced practical project or a chemistry research project linked to real research being carried out by one of our academics. Our extensive research portfolio means you’ll have a wealth of topics to choose from.

For detailed module information, please visit https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/chemistry-degree-bsc#modules.

There are written examinations at the end of each semester to test your knowledge and understanding of material presented in the lectures and workshops. The practical work is continuously assessed primarily through written reports. Project work is assessed by dissertation and oral examination together with a report on your relevant skills from your supervisor. A written literature review related to the project is also assessed.

Coursework exercises based on the lecture material are set each week and feedback is provided promptly. In some cases coursework marks are used in calculating your overall mark for the particular module of study.

However in most cases coursework is simply to give you an indication of your progress. The research project will be assessed via a variety of means which may include review of your laboratory notebook, your assessments of the risks and hazards of your work, written reports, oral presentations, the production of a dissertation, and an oral examination.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Chemistry, Royal Society of