Chemistry

Chemistry is the science of matter, investigating the substances that make up the physical world, how they are structured at the atomic and molecular level, and how they transform through chemical reactions. It is a discipline that sits at the heart of modern science, underpinning advances in medicine, materials, energy, agriculture, and environmental protection. Studying chemistry develops rigorous analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and practical laboratory skills that are valued across a wide range of scientific and professional careers.

At the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, this three-year full-time programme covers the core branches of the discipline, including organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, alongside analytical techniques, spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and laboratory practice. You will develop expertise in experimental design and data analysis alongside the conceptual understanding of molecular structure, bonding, and reactivity that underpins all chemical science. The programme includes both a sandwich year with a work placement and a year abroad, providing exceptional scope for professional and international experience within the degree.

The placement year takes you into industry, a research environment, or a public sector organisation, giving you direct experience of how chemistry is practised professionally. The year abroad gives you the opportunity to study at a partner institution and gain a comparative perspective on the discipline.

Chemistry graduates are in demand in the pharmaceutical, chemical, materials, and food industries, as well as in environmental science, forensic science, and healthcare. Laboratory-based roles, technical management, quality assurance, and research are all common career directions, as are positions in science communication, patent law, and finance for those who combine scientific expertise with complementary interests. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study or doctoral research, either in chemistry or in interdisciplinary fields where chemical knowledge is central.