BSc (Hons) Environmental Chemistry

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Plymouth

Program Overview

If you’re curious about how chemistry really shapes the environment — from the air we breathe to the water we drink — this degree is built just for you. You’ll blend hands-on chemistry with environmental science, learning how to measure and understand pollutants, design sustainable solutions, and make a real impact.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll dive into the heart of chemistry through fun, practical lab sessions and interactive workshops (for example, Practice of Chemistry).You’ll also study foundational modules like Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, discovering the building blocks of molecules, and take Approaches to Data Analysis where you’ll learn to use the programming language R to process chemical and environmental data.

Year 2
The second year is where things get more exciting: you explore more advanced topics with modules like Organic Chemistry (reaction pathways, spectroscopy) and Inorganic Chemistry (transition metal complexes). There’s also The Analytical Toolbox — helping you understand how to collect and trust chemical data — plus a very practical module called Practical Environmental Chemistry, where you’ll go into the field, collect samples, and analyse them using modern instruments.You’ll also get career-ready through a module called Career Catalyst: Pathways to Professional Success, which covers project planning, risk assessment, and professional communication.

(Optional) Placement Year
You have the option to take a year out and do a work placement in industry or research, working with organisations like the Eden Project or the Marine Biological Association. This is a powerful way to apply what you’re learning in real-world settings, build your network, and boost your employability.

Year 3 (Final Year)
In your final year, you’ll lead your own Advanced Research Project (CHM3018), where you pick a topic, design your experiments, and present your findings — it’s your chance to shine. You’ll also take Global Environmental Solutions (GEES3308), where you’ll study environmental policy, sustainability economics, and how scientific data drives decision-making.Beyond that, you can pick optional modules based on your interest, like Advanced Organic Chemistry, Frontiers in Analytical Science, or Marine Pollution and Environmental Change.

Focus Areas

You’ll specialize in analytical chemistry, field-sampling, pollution measurement, sustainability, and environmental policy.

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll know how to apply chemistry to real environmental issues, use advanced analytical instruments, critically interpret chemical data, design and run a research project, and communicate your findings effectively to scientists and non-scientists alike.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, which is a big plus for professional credibility.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

You’ll study in state-of-the-art labs in small groups, with access to high-spec analytical instruments from very early on.
The course is taught by world-class researchers in the Biogeochemistry Research Centre, known for its work on how chemicals move through air, water, soil, and ecosystems.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in this programme don’t just learn theory — you’ll be working in world-class labs, out in the field, and even in real industry settings. From day one, you’ll train on high-spec analytical instruments under the guidance of researchers, and later you’ll conduct fieldwork (both in the UK and abroad) as well as take part in placement opportunities.

Here’s how the hands-on, practical learning works in this course:

State-of-the-art Labs: You’ll use advanced instrumentation such as FT-IR, UV-vis, NMR spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and gamma spectrometry.
ISO-9001 Certified Labs: The course gives you access to professional-quality, certified labs, so you're learning in a regulated, industry-relevant environment.
Fieldwork: You’ll participate in residential or non-residential field courses, including international trips (for example, a spring fieldtrip to Namibia in a recent year).
Placement Year: There’s an optional year in industry. Previous students have interned with big names like the Eden Project, Imerys, the National Trust, and the Marine Biological Association.
Research Project: In your final year, you’ll do a significant independent research project — often working alongside PhD or postdoctoral researchers in high-spec labs.
Biogeochemistry Research Centre: You’ll be linked to Plymouth’s Biogeochemistry Research Centre, a hub for environmental-chemical research on nutrients, metals, and pollutants in different ecosystems.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This degree opens doors to careers where you get to make a real difference — whether that’s analysing pollutants, protecting ecosystems, or advising industries on environmental standards. Plymouth graduates go into roles like Analytical Chemist, Environmental Consultant, Marine Scientist, and Quality Control Scientist, often stepping straight into meaningful, skilled work.

And the university truly backs you throughout your journey, giving you the tools, confidence, and connections to turn your skills into a career you’ll love:

Personal Careers Support: Plymouth’s Careers Service offers personalised guidance, CV and interview coaching, and support with finding internships and placements — tailored to chemistry and environmental science students.
Graduate Success: National Graduate Outcomes data shows that about 95% of Plymouth’s chemistry-related graduates are in work or further study within 15 months, with most entering skilled professional roles.
Strong Industry Connections: Many students secure placements or projects with organisations such as Imerys, the Eden Project, the National Trust, and the Marine Biological Association — giving you real, hands-on industry experience before you even graduate.
Real Career Value: The degree’s strong scientific training — especially in advanced spectroscopy, analytical methods, and environmental monitoring — gives you long-lasting credibility in sectors that rely on accurate data and environmental responsibility.
Solid Earnings & Outcomes: Chemistry-related graduates from Plymouth typically earn around £26,000 within 15 months of finishing, with 90% in highly skilled roles, including natural science, environmental, engineering, and regulatory professions.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep going academically, you’ll have excellent routes forward. Many students continue into Plymouth postgraduate options like MSc Environmental Consultancy, MSc Environmental Geochemistry, or Sustainable Environmental Management, all of which build directly on the skills you gain in the degree. If research is your passion, you can also progress into PhD study with Plymouth’s research groups, including the internationally recognised Biogeochemistry Research Centre.