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Chemistry is the study of the composition and properties of a substance or body, and the discovery of new matter or materials. It’s a vital subset of science that has a major impact and influence on our everyday lives. Chemical scientists are the people that pioneer medicinal and technological discoveries and advancements and find the answers to the world’s most challenging puzzles.
Chemistry graduates go on to pursue a wide range of rewarding careers in several important industries, like nanotechnology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, energy, healthcare, and space.
If your grades don’t meet the entry requirements to study chemistry at your firm or insurance choice universities, don’t feel too disheartened. You still have plenty of other options to consider, including searching through Clearing to find an alternative course to apply to. Here’s how to do it.
Chemistry degree entry requirements
The minimum UCAS tariff points to study chemistry ranges from 104 points (BCC at A-level) to 144 points (AAA at A-level), with the average being 136 points (AAB at A-level).
For applicants with A-levels, most universities will require you to have studied chemistry. Some universities will also require you to have studied a second science-based course (e.g. biology, physics, mathematics) too. Typically, subjects such as general studies and critical thinking are excluded and cannot be counted as part of your points total.
BTECs are accepted by most universities, however, they must be in a related subject (e.g. applied science or chemistry) and usually must be accompanied by A-level chemistry or mathematics. You’ll need a DDD for the top universities but could find a place on a course with as little as MMP.
A small number of universities do offer chemistry degrees with integrated foundation years, specifically for students who don’t have the required qualifications to gain direct entry onto their degree programme. The first year is designed to equip students with the necessary academic knowledge and skills for degree-level study.
The entry requirements for these courses are much lower – as little as 32 UCAS points - so this could be a good option for you. It’s important to remember though, that not only will your degree take longer to complete, the extra year will add additional course fees and living expenses to the cost of your studies.
Chemistry Degree Entry Requirements
| Type | Minimum Grades/Points Required (with Foundation Year) | Minimum Grades/Points Required | Maximum Grades/Points Required | Average Grades/Points Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCAS Points | 32 | 104 | 144 | 136 |
| A-levels | EE | BCC | AAA | AAB |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | PP | MMP | DDD | DDM |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 | 28 | 40 | 29 |
Note: The exact entry requirements for chemistry courses will vary from university to university. It’s important to check the individual course pages for exact entry information – including information on what other qualifications may be accepted – before making any applications.
It’s important to remember that universities don’t just assess you on your grades or UCAS points totals. They'll also take into account your personal statement, and how well you’ve communicated your passion for the subject and your chosen career path. They'll also want to see what you can contribute to university life, so will look favourably on students who’ve been active members of clubs and societies at college/sixth form.
Some universities may also ask students to attend an interview or selection day and your performance here will form part of your application success.
Top tip: If you've only just missed out on the grades/UCAS points needed for your chosen university, it’s worth giving them a call to see if they would be willing to accept you – based on your personal statement and interview performance. There are no guarantees, but it’s worth a try.
The best universities for chemistry
Our sister site, the Complete University Guide, publishes university league tables every year ranking UK unis nationally and in 70+ subject areas. Check out the latest rankings to get an idea of the best UK unis for chemistry.
How to compare chemistry courses in Clearing
Other important information to look at when choosing a chemistry course includes: what the module choices are; how you’ll be taught and/or assessed; whether there are placement opportunities; and what the graduate employment rates are.
You can compare courses based on all these important factors right here on Whatuni. To start your search, head over to Whatuni’s Clearing hub and enter ‘chemistry’ into the search bar. Then you can start browsing through the information pages for each course, comparing them to all the important factors listed above.
Top Tip: During Clearing, some universities have been known to lower the entry requirements for some of their courses. There is no way to tell if this will happen to chemistry courses in Clearing, but if a university has a lot of vacancies to fill, they may be willing to accept students with lower grades.
The easiest way to see which courses your grades make you eligible for is to click the ‘YOUR GRADES’ button located at the top of the search results page and fill in the on-screen form. The list will then be personalised with matching courses:
Once you’ve compiled a list of courses, you then need to decide which of the shortlisted universities you’d be most happy living at for the next three to four years. A good place to begin your research is the university’s prospectus, which will give you an overview of what they offer students in terms of learning facilities, accommodation, social activities, and financial and welfare support.
It's also a good idea to book yourself onto an open day tour or event at each university – if you have time to do so. This will give you a chance to have a closer look at the campus and perhaps speak to some current students and/or potential tutors. Open day events are really useful for helping you build a picture of what your life there might be like and whether you’d enjoy it.
Before making any final decisions, we’d also suggest you check our student reviews. They will give you an honest insight into what it’s really like to study and live at your shortlisted universities. Simply enter the university name and/or subject name to see what students are saying:
What if I can’t find a chemistry course in Clearing?
If you haven’t been able to find or secure a place on a suitable chemistry course in Clearing, don’t despair. There are still several other options available to you:
- Apply for a joint honours degree: If you can’t find a suitable chemistry course to apply for, then one alternative is to search for a joint honours course where chemistry makes up one half of the degree. Common subjects to be paired with chemistry include biology, geology, languages, mathematics and physics. Just make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.
- Apply for a Clearing course in a similar subject: Subjects like biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical physics, geochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutical science all cover some aspects of chemistry as part of their curriculum and may be good alternatives to consider. Again, make sure to think carefully about your future career aspirations before making a decision.
- Apply for a degree apprenticeship: A small but growing number of universities – including the University of Greenwich, University of Nottingham, University of Bradford, University of Wolverhampton, University of Salford - are offering degree apprenticeships in chemistry, in partnership with national and international businesses.
Degree apprenticeships combine working with their employer with studying part-time at a university. They have many benefits, most notably that you can earn while you learn and, as the employer also pays for the qualification, you’ll essentially be getting your degree for free. That said, your degree could take much longer to gain (up to six years) and you might be tied to your employer for that time. Entry requirements for degree apprenticeships in chemistry are pretty similar for regular degree courses.
- Study a chemistry HNC/HND: Higher National Certificates and Diplomas are vocational-based courses equivalent to one (HNC) or two (HND) years of a Bachelor degree. They aim to produce graduates who are ready for employment in a wide range of chemistry-related careers. The entry requirements for chemistry HNCs and HNDs are a lot lower than for a degree – as low as 48 UCAS points (from science-related Level 3 qualifications i.e. A-levels or BTECs).
- Study a chemistry foundation degree: Much like HNDs, foundation degrees (FdSc) are vocationally based courses that last two years full-time and are worth two years of a bachelor’s degree. Entry requirements are a lot lower – between 64 and 72 UCAS points (DDE – DDD at A-level or MPP – MMP BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma). They're ideal for those who didn’t get the grades for entry onto a degree or for mature students looking to re-enter higher education. After completing a Foundation degree students can progress onto the third year of a BSc degree or gain employment.
- Resit your exams: If none of these alternative options appeals to you, or you have your heart set on a particular course at a particular university, then you could opt to re-sit your A-level exams and apply for university entry next year.
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