BSc Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Reading

Program Overview

The BSc Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research at the University of Reading is perfect if you’re passionate about discovering how chemistry shapes our world — from medicine and materials to sustainability. This four-year degree combines hands-on laboratory work, cutting-edge teaching, and a full year gaining real-world experience in either industry or a research environment, giving you a strong head start for your future career.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building the foundations
Your first year focuses on the essentials of chemistry and practical lab skills. You’ll explore topics such as Mathematics for Chemists, Fundamentals of Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, and Shape, Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry. You’ll also spend plenty of time in the lab with Chemistry Practicals 1, developing your confidence in experimental techniques and chemical analysis.

Year 2 – Expanding your expertise
In the second year, you’ll deepen your understanding through modules like Further Organic Chemistry, Further Inorganic Chemistry, and Further Physical Chemistry. You’ll work on more advanced experiments in Chemistry Practicals 2 and may choose optional modules such as Pharmaceutical Chemistry 1 or Core Cosmetic Science 1 — great choices if you’re curious about how chemistry connects to health or beauty science.

Year 3 – Your professional placement
This is your year to step into the real world. You’ll spend 12 months working in an industrial or research setting — recent students have taken placements with companies like GSK, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble. It’s an incredible opportunity to apply your classroom learning to real challenges, gain professional experience, and make valuable connections that could lead to future employment.

Year 4 – Advanced chemistry and research
Your final year brings everything together. You’ll complete a major research project in Chemistry Project 3 and study advanced topics through modules such as Chemistry Core 1 (Inorganic & Organic) and Chemistry Core 2 (Physical & Analytical). Optional modules — like Polymers in Nature and Industry or Python, AI and Machine Learning for the Chemical Sciences — let you tailor your degree to your personal interests and career ambitions.

Focus Areas

Inorganic and organic chemistry · Physical and analytical chemistry · Laboratory and research skills · Industry experience · Materials and sustainability · Data science and chemical applications

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with a deep understanding of modern chemistry, ready to tackle real-world problems through scientific thinking and experimentation. You’ll know how to analyse data, communicate results clearly, and work confidently in a professional or research environment — skills that are highly valued across many industries.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), meaning it meets the professional standards for a career in chemical science and can put you on the pathway toward Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Reading chemistry graduates are highly sought after — 97% are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023). The department is known for its close links with major employers and its strong, research-driven teaching.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Reading, chemistry is never just something you read about — it’s something you do. From your very first week, you’ll be working in professional-standard labs, handling real analytical instruments, and learning how chemistry operates in the real world. By the time you graduate, you won’t just understand theory — you’ll have the practical experience, confidence, and industry insight that employers are looking for.

You’ll gain hands-on experience through state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated support, and real research and industry opportunities, such as:

Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF): Access industry-standard tools like NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy — the same technology used in cutting-edge chemical research.
Extensive laboratory training: Spend hundreds of hours in the lab through Chemistry Practicals 1 and 2, mastering synthesis, analysis, and experimental design under close academic supervision.
Year-long industry or research placement: Work with leading employers such as GSK, Unilever, or Procter & Gamble, or take part in academic research placements — applying your chemistry knowledge in a real-world setting and gaining valuable professional experience.
Final-year research project: Carry out an independent investigation in Chemistry Project 3, often using CAF instruments, and work alongside academic researchers contributing to real scientific progress.
Small-group learning and workshops: Interactive sessions and small classes let you collaborate with peers, ask questions, and develop your problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Placement and career support: The School’s dedicated placement team helps you prepare strong applications, find placements, and make the most of your professional year.

You’ll also benefit from the department’s close-knit, research-driven community, modern teaching spaces, and access to specialist libraries and computing facilities — all designed to help you thrive in both the lab and your future career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A degree in BSc Chemistry with a Year in Industry or Research from the University of Reading opens doors to a wide range of exciting and rewarding careers. Thanks to your year-long professional placement and the hands-on experience you’ll gain in advanced labs, you’ll graduate with both the knowledge and the practical edge that employers look for. Many graduates go on to become analytical scientists, research chemists, or synthetic chemists, while others take up roles in pharmaceuticals, materials science, or chemical sales and development.

Here’s how Reading helps you turn your degree into a successful career:

Career and Placement Support: You’ll have access to a dedicated placements officer and the University’s award-winning Careers Service, which offers one-to-one guidance, CV feedback, interview preparation, and help finding and applying for industry placements.
Outstanding Employability: An impressive 97% of chemistry graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2023).
Strong Industry Links: The School of Chemistry works closely with major employers like GSK, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble, giving you access to placement and networking opportunities with global leaders.
Professional Recognition: The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) — a valuable mark of quality that can help you work toward Chartered Chemist (CChem) status later in your career.
Graduate Success: Reading chemistry alumni have gone on to work with leading organisations such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and government research labs.

Further Academic Progression:

If you’re passionate about research or want to specialise further, you can continue your studies with a master’s (MSc) or PhD in areas such as pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, environmental chemistry, or analytical science. The strong research training and final-year project you complete on this course give you a solid foundation for postgraduate study — whether you choose to stay at Reading or join another leading university.