Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemistry occupies a vital position at the intersection of the chemical sciences and the natural world, investigating the chemical processes that govern air quality, water chemistry, soil composition, and the behaviour of pollutants in ecosystems. As the consequences of industrial activity, agricultural practices, and energy production for planetary chemistry have become increasingly visible, the expertise to measure, model, and mitigate environmental change has moved from a specialism to a pressing societal need. Environmental chemists work at the boundary between laboratory science and real-world problem-solving.

At the University of Plymouth, this three-year full-time programme builds a thorough grounding in the principles of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry, alongside specialist study of how these principles apply to environmental systems. You will develop practical laboratory skills and learn to use the instruments and techniques that environmental scientists and regulators rely on in professional practice. The programme includes a foundation year for students who need to build their scientific background before entering the main degree, as well as a sandwich year in industry, a year abroad, and work placements.

These structured opportunities allow you to gain substantial professional experience and international exposure before you graduate, making you considerably more employable and giving you a clearer sense of where you want to direct your career.

With a typical entry tariff of 120 UCAS points, the programme welcomes students with a genuine interest in chemistry and its environmental applications. Graduates work in environmental consultancy, water companies, local authorities, environmental regulators, analytical laboratories, the energy sector, and government agencies. The combination of chemical expertise and environmental knowledge also opens doors in sustainability roles within commercial and industrial organisations.

Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental science, or toxicology, and some pursue research careers investigating the chemistry of air, water, and soil systems.