Chemistry

Chemistry is the science of matter and its transformations, addressing questions about what substances are made of, how they interact, and how new materials and compounds can be designed and synthesised. It is a discipline of both extraordinary breadth and practical importance, underpinning medicine, materials science, environmental science, food, energy and much of the technology on which modern life depends. The chemist's toolkit, from spectroscopy and crystallography to computational modelling and organic synthesis, allows investigation at every scale from the atomic to the industrial.

At the University of Strathclyde this chemistry programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Chemist status, the professional benchmark for practising chemists in the UK. The programme runs over five years full time, within the Scottish undergraduate degree structure, and includes a year abroad, which gives you the opportunity to pursue your chemical studies in a different national and research environment, broadening both your scientific perspective and your personal resilience. You will develop expertise across the core branches of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry, and you will engage with advanced topics and research methods as you progress through the degree.

You will develop strong practical laboratory skills alongside theoretical understanding, the ability to design and execute experiments, to analyse and interpret data rigorously, and to communicate your findings in the written and oral forms expected of a professional scientist. The five-year integrated programme gives you the depth and breadth of training associated with an MChem-level qualification.

Graduates from accredited chemistry programmes move into careers in pharmaceuticals, materials science, environmental science, chemical manufacturing, food science, analytical testing, education and research. The Chartered Chemist pathway provides professional recognition that is valued by employers across all sectors where chemistry is practised. Postgraduate study in chemistry, chemical engineering or a related discipline is also a common route.