Chemistry with Placement

Chemistry is the science of matter and its transformations at the molecular and atomic level. It provides the scientific foundations for the pharmaceutical, materials, food, environmental, and energy industries, and it is one of the most rigorous and quantitative of the natural sciences, combining mathematical problem-solving with laboratory skill and creative molecular thinking. A degree in chemistry opens doors to an exceptional range of careers, both within the chemical sciences and in the many fields that require strong scientific and analytical capabilities.

At Heriot-Watt University, this five-year full-time programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry and includes both a sandwich placement year in industry and a year abroad. The Royal Society of Chemistry accreditation is a recognised mark of quality that many employers specifically look for, and it signifies that the programme covers the core of the discipline at the depth and rigour that the profession requires. The placement year gives you extended experience working within a chemical or related industrial organisation, applying your chemistry in a professional setting and building the networks and practical understanding that make a significant difference when you enter the graduate job market.

The year abroad and work placement opportunities embedded in the programme give you further breadth of experience and international exposure.

Heriot-Watt has a strong chemistry department with particular strengths in industrial and applied chemistry and in its connections with Scottish and UK industry. A typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the programme's academic demands.

Graduates work in pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing, materials science, energy technology, environmental science, food science, and research. Many pursue postgraduate study including PhD research or industrial master's programmes, and the accreditation enables direct progression to Chartered Chemist status. The combination of academic depth and industrial experience from the placement makes Heriot-Watt graduates strongly competitive in the chemistry labour market.