Chemistry with a Year in Industry / Research BSc (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

This degree is perfect if you want a strong foundation in chemistry while also gaining real‑world experience. Over four years, you’ll explore organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, develop hands-on lab skills, and have the unique opportunity to spend a full year working in industry or carrying out a research project — giving you a head start in your career or further study.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
You’ll start with the essentials of chemistry: Foundations of Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry and Essential Skills for Chemists. You’ll also get plenty of lab experience, learning how to plan experiments, handle chemicals safely, and think like a chemist. This year sets the stage for everything to come.

Year 2
Here you’ll dive deeper into chemistry. You’ll study analytical techniques, spectroscopy, and more advanced organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. The focus is on connecting theory to practice, strengthening your problem-solving skills, and gaining confidence in the lab.

Year 3 – Industry or Research Year
This is your chance to apply what you’ve learned in the real world. You can either work in an industrial lab or take on a substantial research project. This year gives you hands-on experience, builds professional skills, and makes your CV stand out.

Year 4
After your placement or research year, you’ll return to complete your final year with advanced modules and a major project. By the end, you’ll have both a degree and practical experience that makes you highly employable.

Focus areas

Industry and research experience, core chemistry disciplines, lab and computational skills, and professional development.

Learning outcomes

You’ll graduate able to understand and carry out chemical analysis and synthesis, solve real-world chemical problems, conduct independent research, and communicate scientific ideas confidently.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), giving your degree recognition and a professional edge.

Reputation (employability rankings)

QMUL graduates in chemistry have a 93% employment or further study rate within 15 months. The university is part of the Russell Group, known for research excellence, and your degree will be respected by employers in industry and academia alike.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Queen Mary, learning chemistry goes far beyond lectures. From day one, you’ll be getting hands-on experience in cutting-edge labs, working independently in your own fume-hood, and using real-world analytical instruments. The department’s £5.2 million upgraded teaching labs mean every student has space and access to the tools they need to really understand how chemistry works in practice. You’ll also get to explore research facilities, use digital tools for data analysis, and collaborate on group projects — all designed to help you become a confident, skilled chemist ready for the next step in your career:

Work independently in fully equipped Chemistry Teaching Laboratories (Joseph Priestley Building) with your own fume-hood and modern instrumentation.
Gain experience in analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry labs, using specialised equipment for real chemical analysis.
Apply theory in practical modules such as Foundations of Practical Chemistry, Fundamentals of Spectroscopy, and States of Matter and Analytical Chemistry.
Collaborate with peers on group projects, designing experiments, interpreting results, and presenting findings.
Participate in research-led learning and optional projects, joining departmental research groups and using advanced lab facilities.
Use digital software tools for data analysis, modelling, and instrument control in modules like physical and quantum chemistry.
Access extensive libraries on the Mile End campus, with resources available 24/7 during term time to support study, lab prep, and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BSc in Chemistry from Queen Mary opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers. You could become a research chemist, an analytical scientist, a formulation specialist, or even a science consultant, ready to make an impact in industry, healthcare, or environmental sectors. The programme equips you with practical lab skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that employers highly value:

Career support: QMUL’s Careers and Enterprise Service offers personalised guidance, CV workshops, interview coaching, and networking opportunities from your first year to two years after graduation.
Employment success: 93% of QMUL graduates are in employment or further study within six months of finishing their degree.
Industry connections: Opportunities to gain real-world experience, including placements with companies like GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in medicinal chemistry.
Accreditation advantage: The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) accreditation adds long-term professional value to your degree.
Earnings potential: Chemistry graduates report average salaries around £32,000 within 15 months of graduation, with many earning between £26,000–£35,000.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re inspired to continue studying, your BSc gives you a strong foundation for master’s programmes in areas like advanced chemistry, materials science, or pharmaceutical chemistry. You could also move straight into a PhD if research and academic careers are your goal, with your accredited degree opening doors to top graduate programmes worldwide.