BSc Hons in Pharmaceutical Chemistry

You won’t just learn theory. From early years you’ll use modern instrumentation in purpose-built chemistry & pharmaceutical labs, tackle real lab practicals, analyse real compounds, and by the final year you’ll carry out an independent chemical research project. There’s also an optional work placement after the second year so you can test your skills in industry settings, possibly UK or abroad. 

Here are specifics:

• Access to new £18.2 million facilities: state-of-the-art chemistry and pharmaceutical labs where you’ll use modern instruments and practice lab methods from analytical to synthetic chemistry. 

• Modular lab and practical sessions throughout, e.g. in modules like Introduction to Analytical Science and Spectroscopy, Molecular Analysis & Instrumental Methods, Pharmaceutics 1 & 2 – teaching you formulation, drug analysis, compound isolation, and more. 

• Optional supervised placement year after Year 2: you choose an organisation in your area of interest (UK or abroad) to apply your learning in a real work setting. Boosts employability, gives you experience with real industrial or research labs. 

• Independent research project in final year: you design a chemically based project, plan experiments, use lab/instrumental techniques, interpret results, present findings (written thesis + talk). 

Graduates leave with strong chemistry + pharmacy-adjacent skills, ready for scientific, regulatory, or technical roles in industry. Some of the job titles you might expect:

• Analytical Scientist / QC Analyst in pharmaceutical, environmental, or chemical companies

• Formulation Scientist or Drug Development Technician

• Regulatory Affairs Specialist or Compliance Officer

• Research Associate in academic or industrial labs

Key supports, stats & long-term value:

Here are specific supports Huddersfield gives you, plus what the outcomes look like:

• University-Services & Employability Support: Through Huddersfield you can access work placement options (optional year after Year 2 for BSc; compulsory in MSci), career guidance, labs that simulate industry conditions, and the Global Professional Award (GPA) which helps with extra credentials employers care about. 

• Employment / Graduate Outcomes:
  • ~90% of graduates in the Chemistry subject area are in work or further study 15 months after graduation.
  • Median salaries ~ £24,500 at ~15 months after graduation for Chemistry graduates at Huddersfield; then rising over time. 

• University-industry Partnerships: Students have done placements with companies like Arxada, Chemfix, Cyprotex, Kemira, Rosehill Polymers, Thornton & Ross. 

• Long-term value & credibility:
  • Course is delivered in Huddersfield’s new ~£18.2 million labs / facilities, using modern instrumentation. That’s a strong signal to employers. 
  • Teaching staff are doctoral level, and the university holds a Gold rating in the TEF 2023. 

• Graduation outcomes: Work or further study, often in chemical analysis, pharmaceutics, manufacturing, regulatory sectors. Roles are technical / scientific and often progressive, meaning with experience and maybe further study, you can move into senior or specialist roles. 

Further Academic Progression:

After finishing this degree, here are ways to build further:

• Go for postgraduate study: MSc, MRes in fields like pharmaceutical analysis, medicinal chemistry, regulatory affairs or drug formulation to deepen your technical or specialist knowledge.

• Research degrees (PhD) if you're interested in pushing into drug development, molecular design, or mechanistic chemistry. Huddersfield has active research groups and labs that can support you.

• Professional certifications / short courses: regulatory compliance, quality management, or specialized analytical instrument training. These help if you want to stand out or move into QA/QC, regulatory or safety roles.