Chemistry BSc (Hons) with foundation and placement year

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Surrey

Program Overview

Surrey’s BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Foundation Year and Placement is perfect if you love science but want a bit more preparation before starting full degree-level study. You’ll build your confidence in the foundation year, move into a well-structured chemistry degree, and then gain real industry experience through a professional placement.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year (Year 0)

Your journey starts with the foundation year, where you strengthen your understanding of chemistry while also studying maths, physics, and biology to support your future degree. You’ll spend plenty of time in the lab, work in small groups, and complete practical projects that help you develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Year 1

Once you move into the main degree, you’ll explore the core areas of chemistry through modules like Principles of Analytical Chemistry, Periodicity and Reactivity of the Elements, and Mathematics, Computing and Statistical Skills. This year gives you the essential grounding you need — from chemical analysis to understanding elements — while also teaching you how to handle data and use scientific software.

Year 2

In your second year, everything becomes more advanced and hands-on. You’ll take modules such as Advances in Analytical Instrumentation, where you work with modern scientific equipment used in real laboratories, and continue deepening your knowledge across organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry. This is where you start connecting theory with real-world chemical challenges.

Year 3 (Placement Year)

Instead of regular classes, you’ll spend this year on a professional training placement — one of Surrey’s biggest strengths. Whether it's in industry, research labs, or science-focused organisations, it’s your chance to gain valuable work experience, build your CV, and discover what kind of chemistry career really excites you.

Final Year (Year 4)

Your final year brings everything together. You’ll study more advanced chemistry topics and complete an independent research project, working closely with academics in a specialist area. It’s a chance to apply your skills, contribute to real scientific work, and showcase what you’ve learnt over the degree.

Focus Areas

Inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, computational chemistry, instrumental techniques, professional training.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with strong chemical knowledge, hands-on lab experience, the ability to work with modern analytical instruments, confidence in interpreting scientific data, and the professional skills gained from a full placement year.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The degree is fully accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), which adds professional credibility and supports your path toward becoming a Chartered Chemist.

Reputation & Employability

Surrey has an excellent record, with 96% of chemistry graduates in work or further study within 15 months of finishing the course. The university is also known for its award-winning placement program and strong employability support.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Surrey, chemistry isn’t something you just read about — it’s something you experience every day. From your very first lab session to your professional placement year, you’ll be learning by doing, using the same tools, techniques, and technologies that real scientists rely on. You’ll spend time in modern laboratories, work with advanced analytical instruments, collaborate on group projects, and even carry out research in specialist facilities. It’s a degree built around practical confidence and real-world application — the kind of experience employers notice immediately.

And here’s what that hands-on learning actually looks like:

Specialist undergraduate chemistry labs where you’ll run experiments, practise synthesis, test materials, and build your core lab technique in a safe, well-equipped environment.
The £2 million Joseph Kenyon Research Laboratory, giving you access to high-level tools like Raman and UV/IR spectroscopy, plus ICP-MS for advanced chemical and environmental analysis.
Professional-grade instrumentation, including NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, HPLC, XRD, XRF, and thermal analysis equipment — all used directly in classes, projects, and research.
Fluor Pilot Plant, a real working-scale chemical process facility where you can explore industrial processes such as heat exchange, filtration, and CO₂ capture.
Digital and data tools, including chemistry software like ChemDraw and access to major scientific databases for research and data analysis.
Group projects throughout the degree, allowing you to collaborate, present your findings, and build the communication and teamwork skills employers expect.
A full professional training placement, where you’ll spend a year working in industry or research — gaining experience that often leads to graduate job offers.
Supportive academic community, with regular tutorials and approachable staff who guide you through practical work and research projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Chemistry degree from Surrey opens doors — students leave with both scientific expertise and the real-world experience employers look for. Thanks to the foundation year, hands-on labs, and a full professional placement, you’ll graduate feeling career-ready, confident, and capable of stepping straight into the science world. Many students go on to roles such as research scientist, analytical chemist, quality control specialist, or positions within pharmaceutical and environmental industries.

And Surrey gives you a strong boost along the way:

Dedicated employability support — from placement tutors to the Careers & Employability team, you’ll get help finding internships, preparing for interviews, and shaping your long-term career goals.
Excellent outcomes — 96% of Surrey’s chemistry and chemical engineering graduates are working or studying further within 15 months of finishing.
Competitive earning potential — chemistry graduates from Surrey earn around £32,622 on average after graduating.
Strong industry connections — Surrey works with more than 2,300 placement partners worldwide, giving you access to major scientific employers and research labs for your placement year.
Accredited degree advantage — the Royal Society of Chemistry accreditation adds real value, supporting your journey toward professional recognition like Chartered Chemist status.
Positive graduate destinations — many students move into highly skilled scientific, technical, and engineering roles soon after completing the course.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, you could move into a Master’s degree in areas such as analytical, environmental, or medicinal chemistry, or even take the research route with a PhD. Surrey’s strong research culture also supports students aiming for professional pathways like becoming a Chartered Chemist, building on the accreditation you earn from this degree.