BSc Chemistry with Computing

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Bristol

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by chemistry and curious about how computing can transform science, this degree is perfect for you. You’ll learn the essentials of chemistry — from molecules and reactions to materials and energy — while also gaining hands-on skills in coding, data analysis, and scientific computing that make you highly versatile in today’s tech-driven world.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1
Your first year lays the groundwork. You’ll dive into the building blocks of chemistry through units like Practical Chemistry and Quantitative Chemistry, while also starting with introductory computing and mathematics. It’s a mix of lab experiments, problem-solving, and learning how computers can help understand chemical data.

Year 2
In the second year, you take your chemistry knowledge to the next level with topics such as Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry. At the same time, you’ll explore Scientific Computing and Chemical Models and Prediction, learning how algorithms and simulations can tackle real chemical problems.

Year 3
The final year is where it all comes together. You’ll usually work on a major project — either in the lab or computational — and take advanced units in Analytical Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, or Environmental Chemistry alongside high-performance computing applications. By the end, you’ll be confidently combining chemical insight with computational power.

Focus areas:
Chemistry fundamentals (organic, inorganic, physical), scientific computing, machine learning, high-performance computing, chemical data analysis, experimental design.

Learning outcomes:
Design and carry out chemical experiments, analyse and interpret chemical data, write and apply computational routines, work with large datasets, and communicate scientific results clearly to diverse audiences.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
While this specific degree doesn’t have professional accreditation, it is part of the University of Bristol’s Chemistry School, which is renowned for research excellence and industry connections.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Bristol is one of the UK’s top universities for chemistry, consistently highly ranked in global and national league tables, including QS and Guardian rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you study Chemistry with Computing at Bristol, learning goes far beyond lectures. You’ll get hands-on experience in state-of-the-art labs, tackle real-world chemical problems using computing and data analysis, and work on projects that bring together molecules and code. From day one, you’ll develop practical skills that prepare you for research, industry, or further study — all while having access to expert guidance and world-class facilities.

Here’s how you’ll get this experience in practice:

Conduct experiments in Bristol’s advanced chemistry laboratories, covering organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, while linking your results to computational analysis.
Learn and apply scientific computing tools, including coding, machine learning, and high-performance computing, to explore chemical data and simulations.
Complete a major final-year project, either in the lab or computational, where you design, test, and analyse your own experiments or simulations.
Collaborate on group projects and workshops, building teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Engage with specialist institutes and research groups, gaining first-hand experience in real computational chemistry environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme leave Bristol ready to step into exciting roles where chemistry meets computing and data. You could find yourself designing simulations as a computational chemist, using data science to solve chemical problems, or working in research and development in materials, pharmaceuticals, or environmental sectors. Typical roles include:

Computational Chemist / Scientific Computing Specialist
Data Scientist or Machine Learning Engineer in chemical or materials industries
Chemical Engineer applying digital modelling
Research & Development Analyst

Here’s how Bristol helps you get there:

Careers support: The University’s Careers Service offers one-on-one guidance, CV and interview prep, employer events, and networking opportunities to help you find the right role.
Employment outcomes: Around 96% of chemistry graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.
Industry and research links: You’ll work alongside one of the UK’s largest computational chemistry research groups, with opportunities to connect to real-world projects bridging academia and industry.
Long-term credibility: A degree from a university ranked #1 in the UK for Chemistry research (REF 2021) opens doors for employers and postgraduate study alike.
Graduation opportunities: Many students go straight into high-skill roles, while others pursue MSc or PhD studies in scientific computing, data science, or advanced chemistry.

Further Academic Progression:
After your BSc, you could take your studies further with a specialist MSc in areas like Scientific Computing, Data Science, or Environmental Analytical Chemistry. For those interested in research, Bristol offers funded PhD opportunities, letting you work on cutting-edge projects in computational chemistry, materials, or environmental science.