Chemistry BSc (Hons) with foundation year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

The Chemistry BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year at Kingston University is perfect if you’re excited about science but want a little extra support before jumping straight into a full degree. You’ll start by building your core skills, then move on to explore the fascinating world of chemistry—from understanding molecules to carrying out your own experiments and research projects.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year
Your foundation year helps you get ready for university-level chemistry. You’ll strengthen your maths, study techniques, and lab skills through modules like Toolkit for Success, while Project-based Science lets you try out real scientific research in a supportive environment. This year sets you up with confidence to tackle the years ahead.

Year 1 (Level 4)
In your first year, you’ll dive into the essentials of chemistry. Modules like Chemical Foundations: From Atoms to Pharmaceuticals give you a strong grounding in chemical principles, Chemical Frontiers: Quantum, Inorganic and Environmental Chemistry explores exciting topics like quantum theory and environmental challenges, and Essential Techniques in Chemical Synthesis and Analysis helps you get hands-on experience with lab work, including chromatography and spectroscopy.

Year 2 (Level 5)
Year 2 takes your learning further. You’ll study Aspects of Physical Chemistry, covering kinetics, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry, while Future Trends in Synthetic and Analytical Chemistry hones your experimental and analytical skills. Inorganic Chemistry: Trends, Coordination, and Structures and Organic and Medicinal Chemistry introduce you to coordination compounds, drug design, and sustainable chemical synthesis, giving you a well-rounded understanding of chemistry in action.

Year 3 (Level 6)
Your final year is all about specialization and independence. Modules like Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry explore polymers, nanomaterials, and catalysis, while Natural Product Chemistry and Sustainable Synthesis teaches you about drugs from nature and greener ways to make them. The highlight is your Project module, where you plan and carry out your own research, applying everything you’ve learned and showcasing your skills.

Focus Areas

Sustainable chemistry, analytical techniques, materials science, drug discovery, environmental chemistry, lab research, and independent project work.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you’ll be confident in lab techniques, understand key concepts in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, and be able to plan, conduct, and present scientific research. You’ll also gain skills like problem-solving, data analysis, and clear scientific communication—skills employers love.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), meaning it meets the standards for professional chemists and is a step toward Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Kingston University’s chemistry degree is well-known for excellent lab facilities and strong industry links. Graduates have gone on to careers as analytical chemists, quality assurance scientists, development technologists, clinical skills technicians, or even chemistry teachers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kingston, learning chemistry isn’t just about reading textbooks — it’s about getting your hands dirty and really experiencing science. From the very first year, you’ll be working in modern, fully equipped labs where you’ll use professional-grade instruments to carry out real experiments. The department’s facilities in the £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building give you access to advanced tools, computing labs, and IT support to help you turn theory into practice. As you progress, you’ll get to run your own research projects, collaborate in group assignments, and even apply your skills in a one-year industry placement. All of this means you’re gaining practical experience that’s directly relevant to a career in chemistry.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

Hands-on lab work with chromatography, mass spectrometry, NMR, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and electrochemical instruments.
Access to Kingston Analytical Services (KAS) for high-resolution LC‑MS and GC‑MS experiments.
Group-based projects, especially in your final year, where you design experiments, analyse data, and present findings.
Opportunity for a one-year industry placement, giving you real-world chemistry experience.
Use of computing labs to model molecules, simulate experiments, and process data.
Libraries and digital resources to support your research and independent projects.

These facilities and experiences are all designed to make sure you’re confident, skilled, and ready to take on a career in chemistry.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this programme opens up a wide range of exciting career paths. Many of our students go on to work as analytical chemists, quality assurance scientists, clinical skills technicians, or even chemistry teachers, equipped with strong lab skills, problem-solving abilities, and real-world experience from placements and projects. With Kingston’s combination of hands-on learning, professional accreditation, and industry links, you’ll have a solid springboard into both employment and further study:

Here’s how Kingston helps you get there:

Careers support: Kingston’s Careers & Employability Service offers workshops, mock interviews, CV guidance, and tailored help finding industry placements.
Employment outcomes: Around 80% of chemistry graduates are either employed or in further study just 15 months after finishing.
Salary insights: Average earnings start around £25,000 after 15 months, rising to roughly £30,000 after five years.
Industry connections: Graduates have gone on to work with leading companies such as GSK, Eli Lilly, Leatherhead Food Research, and Martindale Pharmaceuticals.
Accreditation: The course is approved by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), helping you take the next steps toward Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.
Graduate outcomes: Alumni pursue careers in research, product development, regulatory analysis, teaching, and more.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing your BSc, you can keep learning and specialise further. Many students continue with an MSc in Analytical Chemistry at Kingston or pursue related master’s programmes in Medicinal Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Science. If you’re passionate about research, a PhD or other advanced research degree is also an option, building on skills gained in your final-year project and preparing you to contribute to cutting-edge chemistry research.