Chemistry with Secondary Education

Chemistry with Secondary Education is a degree designed for students who want to develop serious scientific expertise in chemistry while also preparing for a career teaching the subject in secondary schools. Chemistry is one of the most important and consistently in-demand teaching subjects in the UK, and teachers who genuinely understand and love the science make a real difference to their students. This programme combines a rigorous chemistry education with the pedagogical knowledge, school experience, and professional preparation needed to teach effectively.

At Nottingham Trent University, this three-year full-time programme covers the core areas of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, alongside analytical techniques and practical laboratory work. The education component introduces you to learning theory, curriculum design, and the practice of science teaching, and you will spend time in secondary school settings developing your classroom skills alongside the academic chemistry. The combination reflects the real professional pathway: completing the degree positions you well to apply for Qualified Teacher Status through a PGCE or School Direct route, or in some cases to qualify directly.

The demand for secondary chemistry teachers in England consistently exceeds supply, which means graduates from this programme enter a job market in which they are genuinely sought after. Secondary schools across the state and independent sectors employ chemistry teachers, and the career provides intellectual engagement, job security, professional development, and the satisfaction of helping young people discover a discipline that underpins so much of modern life and industry. Many graduates go on to leadership roles in science departments, pastoral leadership, and school management.

The chemistry content also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in chemical sciences for those who decide to pursue research rather than teaching.