Chemistry and Mathematics

Chemistry and mathematics together form a combination of extraordinary depth and applicability. Chemistry, often described as the central science, explores the composition, structure and behaviour of matter at the level of atoms and molecules, underpinning disciplines from pharmacology and materials science to environmental monitoring and food production. Mathematics provides the formal language in which chemical theories are expressed and tested, from the differential equations of kinetics and thermodynamics to the linear algebra of quantum mechanics.

Mastering both gives you a fluency in quantitative scientific thinking that is rare and highly valued.

At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, and is delivered within one of the UK's leading chemistry departments. With a typical entry tariff of 232 UCAS points, this is a highly competitive programme that attracts students with exceptional ability in both subjects. You will receive comprehensive academic and practical training across the core areas of chemistry, including organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, alongside rigorous mathematical study covering both pure and applied mathematics.

The year abroad gives you experience of science at an international level, broadening your perspective and your professional network.

Graduates from chemistry and mathematics programmes are exceptionally well prepared for careers across a wide range of sectors. The combination of chemical knowledge and mathematical sophistication is particularly valuable in pharmaceuticals, materials science, computational chemistry, chemical engineering, data science, financial modelling and academic research. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study at masters or doctoral level in chemistry, mathematics, mathematical physics or interdisciplinary research fields.

The rigorous quantitative and analytical training that both disciplines provide opens a wider range of career and research pathways than either subject alone, and graduates from this combination are consistently among the most versatile scientific professionals in the labour market.