Chemistry with Year Abroad BSc (Hons)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queen Mary University of London

Program Overview

This four-year Chemistry degree combines a solid grounding in core chemistry—organic, inorganic, and physical—with an exciting year abroad at one of our partner universities. It’s perfect for curious minds who love hands-on lab work, want to explore how molecules behave, and are keen to experience life and study in another country.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll start by building the foundations, with modules like Essential Skills for Chemists, Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry, Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, and Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry. Alongside lectures, you’ll spend plenty of time in labs, developing practical skills and understanding the basics of chemical reactions, structures, and thermodynamics.

Year 2: This year deepens your knowledge. You’ll tackle modules such as Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry, Solid State & Inorganic Chemistry, and Physical & Quantum Chemistry. You’ll get better at analyzing complex problems, connecting theory to real-world chemistry, and sharpening your lab techniques.

Year 3: Your year abroad is a chance to live in a new country, embrace a different academic culture, and continue studying advanced chemistry modules. This experience not only broadens your scientific knowledge but also helps you develop independence, adaptability, and international perspective—skills that employers love.

Year 4: Back at Queen Mary, you’ll put everything together in your final year. You’ll take on research projects, advanced modules, and specialist topics, applying your practical and theoretical knowledge to real-world chemical challenges. This is your chance to showcase everything you’ve learned and prepare for a successful career or further study.

Focus areas:
Core chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical), research and lab skills, problem-solving, and international study experience.

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will confidently apply chemical theory and lab techniques, carry out independent research, communicate complex ideas clearly, and adapt to global work and study environments.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), giving you a recognised professional qualification that supports careers in chemistry and related fields.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Queen Mary chemistry graduates are highly sought after—84‑93% of recent graduates were in work or further study within six months of finishing their degree.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the very first term, you’ll be getting hands-on in modern, industry-standard labs. The Joseph Priestley Building has been newly refurbished with extra fume cupboards and flexible benching so you can practice real lab techniques safely and efficiently. You’ll get to work with high-end analytical equipment like NMR spectrometers, mass spectrometers, and X-ray diffraction machines, giving you skills that are directly relevant to both research and industry. Beyond the labs, group projects, tutorials, and your year abroad ensure you gain teamwork, problem-solving, and international experience — all while applying what you learn in lectures to real-world situations.

Here’s what your practical learning journey looks like:

State-of-the-art Chemistry Teaching Labs: Modern, fully equipped labs in the Joseph Priestley Building, designed to mirror professional research environments.
Advanced Analytical Facilities: Hands-on experience with NMR (400 MHz and 600 MHz), mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction instruments.
Practical-focused Modules: Modules such as Foundations of Practical Chemistry (Year 1) and Practical Chemistry (Year 2) let you apply theory directly in lab settings.
Team Projects and Tutorials: Develop collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills through group work, outreach projects, and your independent research.
Year Abroad Experience: Take your lab and analytical skills to an international partner university, broadening your perspective and building adaptability.
Computational Chemistry Tools: Modules like Introductory Programming for Chemists (Year 2) give you experience with chemical data analysis and molecular modelling.
Research and Project Labs: In your final year, access research-grade labs for your independent projects and advanced experiments.
University Resources: Extensive library network, study spaces, and IT facilities to support data analysis, research, and lab work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from this four-year Chemistry degree opens doors to a wide range of exciting roles. Many students move into positions like Chemical Industry Analyst, Research Laboratory Technician, Environmental Chemist, or even Data Analytics Consultant. With your solid chemistry foundation combined with international experience, you’ll be ready to take on careers that value both technical expertise and global perspective:

Careers & Employability support: The university’s dedicated Careers & Employability team, along with a subject-specific consultant in the School of Chemical Sciences, helps you find internships, work experience, and tailored career guidance.
Employment stats & salary: Around 93% of graduates from chemistry programmes at Queen Mary are in work or further study within six months, with starting salaries averaging £30,000.
University–industry partnerships: Connections with companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Hammersmith Medicines Research, EY, and KPMG give you exposure to real-world applications of chemistry and potential placement opportunities.
Accreditation value: Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), your degree provides professional recognition that enhances your employability and opens doors to chartered status in the future.
Graduation outcomes: Beyond traditional chemistry roles, your analytical, research, and problem-solving skills prepare you for careers in finance, consultancy, technology, and more.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BSc, you could continue your studies with a Master’s (MSc) in specialised areas like medicinal chemistry, environmental chemistry, or computational modelling. Alternatively, a research-focused route such as an MRes or PhD can let you dive deeper into a particular field. Your accredited degree also provides a strong foundation for professional development, including chartered status through the RSC.