Chemistry with Management with professional placement or study abroad MSci (Hons)

5 Years On Campus Accelerated-bachelors Program

University of Bath

Program Overview

This unique five-year programme blends hands-on chemistry with practical management skills, giving you the best of both worlds: scientific expertise and a clear understanding of how businesses and organisations operate. It’s perfect for students who love chemistry but also want to steer projects, lead teams, or shape strategies in science-driven industries.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll start with the essentials, exploring core chemical principles through units like Foundations and Applications of Chemistry and Analytical and Spectroscopic Techniques. Alongside this, you’ll gain an introduction to management with courses such as Introduction to Accounting and Organisational Behaviour, and get practical lab experience in the Year 1 Laboratory. This foundation sets you up for both scientific and professional growth.

Year 2: You’ll build on your chemistry knowledge with units like Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry and Characterisation, Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy for Chemistry with Management Students. Lab work continues in Year 2 Laboratory, while you also start choosing optional units to explore areas of personal or professional interest. By the end of this year, you’ll be comfortable applying chemical theory and problem-solving in practical settings.

Year 3: This is your placement year — 12 months in a real-world work environment. You’ll gain invaluable industry experience, apply your scientific and management knowledge, and develop professional skills that make you stand out to future employers.

Year 4: Back on campus, you’ll tackle more advanced chemistry topics through units like Advanced Chemistry 1, Advanced Practical Skills, and Problems and Solutions in Modern Chemistry B. You’ll also carry out projects and literature reviews, developing independent research skills while continuing to integrate management perspectives.

Year 5: Your final year is all about independent work and mastering your craft. With modules such as 21st Century Research Challenges B, Advanced Chemistry 2, and Masters Research Project B, you’ll complete significant research projects and refine your expertise, leaving you ready for a career in chemistry or a management-focused role in industry.

Focus areas:
Chemistry (synthetic, analytical, and computational) paired with management skills (finance, organisational behaviour, economics, and industry strategy).

Learning outcomes:
By the end of the programme, you’ll be confident in designing and conducting experiments, analysing complex chemical data, solving scientific problems, and making informed business decisions. You’ll also gain leadership, communication, project management, and innovation skills — all highly valued by employers.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, ensuring your qualification is recognised by industry and professional bodies.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Bath is known for its strong industry links and high employability rates. Chemistry graduates from Bath often go on to roles in major companies like Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, combining scientific expertise with managerial insight.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From your very first year, this programme is designed to get you actively doing chemistry, not just reading about it. You’ll work in purpose-built teaching labs, explore advanced characterisation techniques, and develop the management skills that make you ready for industry. The course blends hands-on scientific training with real-world experience, so by the time you reach your placement year, you’ll be confidently applying both chemistry and management in a professional environment. Here’s how you’ll gain these invaluable skills:

Hands-on chemistry labs: Perform experiments in synthetic, analytical, and computational chemistry right from Year 1, building confidence and practical know-how.
Advanced facilities: Access top-of-the-line tools such as NMR, mass spectrometry, chromatography, and microscopy to analyse and characterise materials like a professional chemist.
Professional placement year: Spend a full year in industry, applying your chemistry knowledge alongside management skills in a real work environment.
Group projects and teamwork: Collaborate on mini-projects, developing communication, problem-solving, and research skills while learning to work effectively in teams.
Computational and digital skills: Learn coding and data analysis tools integrated into your chemistry labs, preparing you for computational chemistry challenges.
Research and outreach opportunities: Participate in departmental research projects and public engagement events, giving you a taste of real scientific investigation and the chance to share it with others.

Progression & Future Opportunities

By the time you finish this degree, you’ll be ready to step straight into the world of chemistry and business with confidence. Graduates often move into roles like Research Associate, Quality Control Specialist, Management Trainee, or Technical Chemist, thanks to the mix of hands-on chemistry skills and management knowledge you’ll gain. With the University of Bath’s strong connections to industry, you’ll have a clear edge when entering the job market:

University Careers Support: From CV workshops to interview prep, the Careers Service guides you every step of the way.
Employment stats: Around 62% of chemistry graduates go directly into work, and 24% continue with further study within 15 months of graduating.
Industry partnerships: Graduates have joined top employers like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson, giving you real-world opportunities and networking connections.
Accreditation value: The chemistry component is recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), while your management training makes you versatile across many sectors.
Graduate outcomes: Bath boasts 93% of its UK graduates in high-skilled employment within 15 months of graduation, highlighting the effectiveness of its programmes.

Typical career paths include:

Technical Chemist in pharmaceuticals or materials industries
Management Trainee in industrial or chemical businesses
Quality Control/Assurance Specialist in manufacturing or analytics
Research & Development Associate bridging science and business

Further Academic Progression:
After this degree, you could continue to an MSc or even a PhD in areas like chemical research, materials science, or science management. Alternatively, you could pursue professional qualifications in management, data analytics, or education, building on the unique combination of science and business skills you’ll have developed.