BSc (Hons) Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

At York, you won’t just learn chemistry — you’ll live it. From your very first term, you’ll be in modern, research-active laboratories working alongside passionate staff and students who share your curiosity for how chemistry can transform health and medicine. The course is designed to build your confidence as a scientist through practical experiments, real-world projects, and the use of professional-grade equipment and digital tools that mirror what’s used in today’s labs and industries.

As you move through the degree, you’ll take part in experiments that link chemistry with biology, develop teamwork through collaborative projects, and get the chance to contribute to real research that’s happening right now in York’s Chemistry Department. You’ll also learn to use cutting-edge instrumentation and software — the same technology used by researchers developing new materials and medicines.

Here’s how York helps you turn theory into real experience:

• Hands-on laboratory learning – Every year includes extensive lab sessions in York’s state-of-the-art teaching labs. You’ll carry out your own experiments, including a two-week integrated chemistry project in first year.

• Research-driven facilities – You’ll work in world-class centres like the York Structural Biology Laboratory, Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, York JEOL Nanocentre, and the Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry, all equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation for analytical and biological chemistry.

• Advanced analytical tools – Gain experience using spectrometers, chromatography systems, and computational modelling software that prepare you for both academic and industrial research environments.

• Collaborative group projects – Work with fellow students to design experiments, analyse data, and present findings — a great way to develop communication and teamwork skills valued by employers.

• Final-year research project – Undertake your own independent research in areas such as drug design, biocatalysis, or molecular medicine, guided by York’s expert academics.

• Access to top learning spaces – Benefit from the university’s modern library, digital learning platforms, and dedicated chemistry study areas designed for both individual and group work.

• Optional industrial placement (MChem route) – If you choose to continue on to the integrated master’s, you can spend a year working in a professional lab environment, gaining first-hand industry experience.

A degree from York opens up an exciting range of career paths where chemistry and biology come together to make a real difference. Graduates from this course go on to careers in research, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and biotechnology — using their scientific knowledge to improve lives and solve global challenges. You’ll graduate with the hands-on experience and analytical mindset that employers in science, industry, and beyond are looking for.

Typical career paths include: medicinal or pharmaceutical scientist, analytical or production chemist, patent or regulatory affairs officer, and biotechnology research consultant.

Here’s how York supports your journey from student to professional:

• Dedicated Careers & Placements team – You’ll get personalised career coaching, help with CVs and interviews, and access to employer networking events focused on science and chemistry.

• Strong graduate outcomes – Many York chemistry graduates go directly into scientific and technical roles, while others move into business, law, or education thanks to the transferable problem-solving and data analysis skills gained through the course.

• Industry connections and accreditation – This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), putting you on track toward professional Chartered Chemist (CChem) status — a mark of quality recognised across the globe.

• Collaborative research and partnerships – York’s Department of Chemistry works closely with leading chemical and pharmaceutical companies, offering insight into how chemistry applies to real-world challenges in medicine, sustainability, and materials science.

• Postgraduate success – Around 40 graduates each year continue into higher degrees, including PhDs and master’s research, often collaborating on cutting-edge projects with industry partners.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BSc, you’ll be well-prepared to take your studies further. Many students continue into an MChem or MSc in Chemistry, or specialise in areas like Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Pharmaceutical Science. You could even pursue a PhD and join York’s world-class research community — or step into professional accreditation routes that enhance your long-term career in science or industry.