BSc (Hons) Chemistry

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Plymouth

Program Overview

Why This Program Feels Like the Right Fit for You

Think of this degree as your passport into the world of molecules, reactions, and real scientific impact — you're not just learning theory, but rolling up your sleeves in state-of-the-art labs right from week one. Whether you're driven by solving climate challenges, designing new medicines, or understanding how everyday materials work, this course equips you to make a difference.

What Your Time at Plymouth Will Look & Feel Like

Year 1 – The Launchpad
Your first year is all about building confidence and laying solid foundations. You'll dive into Practice of Chemistry, where hands-on lab work helps you get comfortable with real experimental work. Through modules like Inorganic Chemistry (CHM1017) and Organic Chemistry (CHM1019), you'll explore the basics of atomic structure, bonding, and reactions — all while working in tutorials and practicals so you’re learning by doing.

Year 2 – Deepening Your Understanding
Now it gets exciting: in Inorganic Chemistry (CHM2011), you’ll study transition metals and ligand-field theory; Organic Chemistry (CHM2012) opens up reaction pathways and spectroscopy; Physical Chemistry (CHM2013) lets you play with thermodynamics, quantum ideas, and statistical models. At the same time, The Analytical Toolbox (CHM2017) makes you an expert in collecting and interpreting data, preparing you for real-world problems.

Placement Option (Between Year 2 and Final Year)
You’ve got the option to spend a year outside the lecture hall — working in real labs or industry. That could be in big companies like GlaxoSmithKline or in research environments like Plymouth Marine Laboratory. It’s a chance to test what you love, build contacts, and make your CV shine.

Final Year – Your Moment to Shine
In your final year, you get to push the boundaries. Advanced Inorganic (CHM3014) dives into cutting-edge topics like catalysis and bioinorganic chemistry; Advanced Organic (CHM3015) explores enzyme mechanisms and environmental molecules; Advanced Physical Chemistry (CHM3016) brings in complex theory and materials characterisation. And the Advanced Research Project (CHM3018)? That’s your big opportunity to conduct a substantial piece of independent research, supported by expert staff and using modern instrumentation.

Focus Areas

Analytical chemistry, sustainability in chemical processes, advanced synthetic chemistry, instrumentation, and data-driven problem solving.

What You’ll Walk Away With (Learning Outcomes)

By the time you graduate, you’ll not only understand the core pillars of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical), but also be confident working with data, using modern lab tools, and communicating complex ideas. You’ll leave with hands-on research experience and the transferable skills to thrive in labs or industry.

Why It Matters Professionally (Accreditation)

This is a Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) accredited degree — that means your qualification is recognized by one of the most respected chemistry bodies in the world.
That accreditation signals to employers that you’ve trained to a high standard and makes you more competitive for jobs and future professional badges like Chartered Chemist.

Reputation & Career Prospects

The course is highly rated for student satisfaction — students consistently highlight how engaging lecturers are and how much they enjoy the labs.
Graduates from this program find work quickly: many go into research, pharmaceuticals, energy, or government labs soon after finishing.
Because the learning is so hands-on, employers love Plymouth chemists: you leave not just with theory, but real lab experience and data-analysis skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the moment you join the Chemistry degree at Plymouth, you’re not just learning about science — you’re doing it. You’ll spend a huge part of your time in real labs, using the exact same instruments and tools that professional chemists rely on in research and industry. Everything is hands-on, guided by friendly experts, and designed to build your confidence in practical chemistry step by step. You won’t just complete lab classes; you’ll take part in real investigations, work with high-end analytical equipment, and even contribute to active research happening on campus.

And as you move through the course, your practical world opens up even more — from advanced spectroscopy suites to environmental monitoring labs, research collaborations, and placement opportunities. All of this means that when you graduate, you won’t just understand chemistry; you’ll be able to do chemistry at a professional level.

Here’s how that practical learning comes to life throughout your degree:

Professional laboratories in the Davy Building, including teaching labs, preparation rooms, and dedicated research laboratories used by active scientists.
Access to industry-standard analytical instruments, including NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR, UV-Vis, Gas Chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and advanced electrochemical tools.
Specialist facilities, such as the Plymouth Atomic Mass Spectrometry Facility (ICP-MS, ICP-OES) for ultra-precise elemental analysis used in environmental and materials research.
LABplus, a unique hands-on skills centre inside the Davy Building that helps you practise lab techniques, explore equipment, and develop practical confidence at your own pace.
The Biogeochemistry Research Centre, where students engage with real environmental chemistry projects alongside leading researchers.
Opportunities to work with the Laboratory for Environmental Observations (LEO), which focuses on automated sensors, water and soil analysis, and environmental monitoring.
Research-led teaching, where final-year students carry out an independent research project using advanced instrumentation and working closely with academic specialists.
Placement opportunities with companies and research organisations, where students gain real workplace experience between their second and final year.
Access to specialist software and digital tools used for chemical data analysis, modelling, and processing (taught through modules like Approaches to Data Analysis).
Group practicals and collaborative lab projects, helping you learn how to communicate results, plan experiments, and solve problems as a team.
Links to Marine Research Plymouth, giving chemistry students access to marine labs, mesocosm facilities, and environmental testing equipment for ocean-related chemistry work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BSc (Hons) Chemistry from Plymouth puts you in a strong position to step confidently into the world of science. Most graduates move quickly into professional roles or further study, and the hands-on experience you gain throughout the course makes you especially attractive to employers. Many students go on to work as analytical chemists, environmental scientists, laboratory or quality control chemists, or explore pathways in teaching, research, or technical consultancy.

And once you’re ready to take the next step, here’s what’s working in your favour:

Dedicated Careers Service support – Plymouth’s careers team offers personalised guidance, mock interviews, CV reviews, employer networking events, and subject-specific career workshops to help you find the right opportunities.
Excellent graduate outcomes – According to Discover Uni, 95% of Plymouth chemistry graduates are in work or further study just 15 months after finishing, showing how well this degree prepares you for the next stage.
Competitive salary prospects – Chemistry graduates from Plymouth typically earn around £26,000 within 15 months, reflecting the high employability of the skillset you build during the course.
Meaningful career paths – Nearly 9 in 10 graduates say that the work they’re doing after the degree feels meaningful, and many report that their chemistry qualification played a real role in securing their position.
Strong employer links – Chemistry graduates at Plymouth have gone on to organisations such as Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Intertek, and the Environment Agency, benefitting from the University’s industry engagement and research connections.
Royal Society of Chemistry accreditation – This long-term professional recognition helps you stand out to employers and supports future pathways toward chartered status.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies after the BSc, you’ll have plenty of exciting options. Many graduates progress into MSc programmes or PhD research, choosing specialisms like environmental chemistry, analytical science, materials chemistry, or marine-related chemical research. You could also move into postgraduate teacher training or advanced professional courses if you’re drawn to education, regulation, or policy roles in the chemical sciences.