About this course
This course is an integrated foundation degree, where you'll progress onto our BSc (Hons) Chemistry course, once you successfully complete your foundation year. If your interests lie in other areas of chemistry, you can also transfer on to our BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry or BSc (Hons) Forensic Chemistry course after your foundation year.
We support you every step of the way to becoming a confident chemistry graduate. Part of that is giving you lots of hands-on experience of a range of state-of-the-art equipment including mass spectrometry, HPLC, GC, x-ray crystallography and nmr spectroscopy – the same equipment used by professional chemists in industry.
As well as the support you’ll get from our experienced teaching staff and technicians, you’ll also learn in small teaching groups to allow you to develop confidence, boost your technical skills and meet new friends.
Staff and student community
At NTU we pride ourselves in supporting our students through the transition from school to university which is why you will receive top quality teaching from our dedicated teaching staff, as well as additional support from our student mentors and technical team.
On the academic and practical side of things you’ll get the support of your lecturers, personal tutors and technical staff, so there’s always someone to turn to. They will get to know you during your course and can help you target support where you need it most.
Our mentoring scheme gives you support from other students on your course. They can give you practical advice on how to tackle a particular part of your studies or more general guidance on life as a student. They’ve been there and can give you a students’ perspective.
-
Through module options in Years Two and Three, you can personalise your learning in the areas of materials, environment and medicinal chemistry. You can choose to continue studying these areas of chemistry in your final year project to deepen your knowledge further -
Industry wants chemistry graduates that can problem-solve and communicate their findings clearly. We’ve built these skills in as a core part of our modules, so you might find yourself working on a design project as part of a group or presenting your results to your class. -
94% of chemistry students were positive about the academic support on their course. National Student Survey 2024.
What you’ll study
Study abroad opportunities
Get ready to embark on an adventure with our study abroad programs at partner universities or by getting a work placement overseas. Both opportunities will boost your employability, build lifelong friendships, and allow you to experience the world in a whole new way.
Who will teach me?
We have a passionate team of experts who are committed to providing you with all the skills and experience you need to build a successful career in industry or in research. We are proud to have won awards and recognition for our high levels of teaching and student satisfaction. As a student here, you will not only have the full support of your tutors, but you’ll also work with a highly skilled technical team who are on hand to help you throughout your studies.
Foundation Science
In this module you’ll cover topics in Physics and Chemistry including exchange, transport and conservation of energy and inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The aim of this module is to provide a sound scientific foundation for the study of engineering or mathematics at undergraduate degree level.
Introductory Mathematics
This module provides an introduction to important mathematical ideas, including Algebraic rearrangement, Trigonometry, Vectors, Descriptive Statistics, Integration and Differentiation. You’ll gain an understanding of ideas that form the basis of later, more specialised, developments and you’ll be able to solve simple but realistic mathematical problems.
Foundation Chemistry I: Chemical Reactivity
This module provides you with a sound chemistry foundation for studying chemistry at degree level. You'll continue with the themes introduced in the Foundation Science module and focus on building your understanding of chemical reactivity.
Foundation Chemistry II: Organic Chemistry and Analysis
During this module the laboratory-based sessions will allow you to gain practical chemistry knowledge and experience. You'll work on both individual and group tasks as you develop your understanding of organic chemistry and analysis.
Practical and Professional Skills
This module aims to provide a link between the theoretical modules on the course and their practical implementation. The professional skills aspect will help you with interpreting coursework requirements, exam and revision technique, note taking and referencing. The practical sessions will cover a variety of topics that require you to make use of the scientific principles and mathematical techniques that you’re learning in the other modules on the course.
In your first year of the BSc course, you will be introduced to the various strands of chemistry, and we will start to think about the ways in which chemistry contributes to our economy and the world around us.
Structure and Function
Learn about the bonding and structure in organic molecules and functional group chemistry, with an emphasis on reactivity and mechanism.
Inorganic Bonding and Solid-State Materials
Learn the fundamental concepts of theoretical and practical chemistry as well as aspects such as inorganic complexation reactions, indicator theory and acid-base systems.
Physical States of Matter
Study physical chemistry including kinetic theory of gases, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, phase equilibria and distillation processes.
Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Analysis
Learn basic chemical principles including chromatography, applied optical spectroscopy, statistical tests, electroanalytical techniques, and appropriate specialist methods.
Professional Development
Engage with real-life examples of how chemistry works, and understand the influence of social, economic or environmental factors on the way chemical sciences operate.
Introduction to Specialist Areas of Chemistry
Explore key specialist areas of chemistry, including the biological chemistry of drugs, polymeric materials, and environmental challenges. This module also introduces sustainable chemistry, examining the principles of green chemistry and its role in tackling environmental issues. You'll learn how to assess sustainability using Life Cycle Assessment and carbon footprints.
This year we will be exploring more advanced concepts and you’ll have the opportunity to take a short placement to get you thinking about the world of work. You’ll also choose a specialist area for further study.
Core modules
Organic Chemistry
Learn more advanced concepts in synthetic organic chemistry, organic reaction mechanisms and reactivity, as well as advanced structural analysis through organic spectroscopic techniques.
Inorganic Chemistry
Develop the concepts introduced in Year One and learn about structural chemistry in relation to chemical behaviour, functionality, reactivity and identification of inorganic molecules.
Physical Chemistry
Learn about the basic principles of surface and colloid chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and concepts of heat and mass transfer associated with industrial processes.
Analytical Chemistry
Builds on Year One with a focus on interfering sample matrices, quantitative and qualitative identification of multicomponent samples and measurements under non-ideal conditions.
Professional Practice
Get prepared for the world of work through a short placement. You’ll be able to apply and observe, analyse and evaluate a range of vocationally relevant processes and attitudes.
Optional modules – choose one:
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Introduces you to the processes involved in drug discovery and the steps taken by the medicinal chemist to take a lead compound and develop a drug for market.
Modern Day Materials
Develop an awareness of the impact of advanced materials science on modern-day life through a series of lectures and laboratory demonstrations on the applications of carbon and composite materials.
Chemical Technology
This module brings chemistry into reality starting with the introduction of both fundamental and practical knowledge of applied chemistry in commercial applications and taking it through to the industrial environment.
Applied Instrumental Analysis
Gain insight into the role of modern analytical instrumentation in solving real-world challenges across research, industry, and regulatory sectors. This module explores the principles and applications of advanced instrumental techniques used in industry, including bioanalytical methods such as ELISA and Microtox, sample preparation strategies, and the latest advancements in analytical instrumentation, including uHPLC and diode array detection.
We’re moving on to advanced topics and you’ll start to work more independently, carrying out research for your final year project. You’ll have more input in deciding which modules you study this year, depending on your own interests and career aspirations.
Core modules
Advanced Chemistry
Study advanced topics across the spectrum of chemistry including heterocyclic chemistry, reaction mechanisms at metal centres, and molecular self-assembly and polymer chemistry in solution.
Project
Develop plans and carry out a substantial independent research project of publishable quality. Understand the principles of analytical work and the limitations of experimental design.
Optional modules - choose two:
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Study a range of topics including bioinorganic chemistry, magnetochemistry, and the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, to name a few.
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Builds on previous concepts presented in organic chemistry, and introduces you to concepts of total synthesis, asymmetric synthesis and advanced theories in pericyclic reactions.
Advanced Physical Chemistry
Study the principles of surface and colloid chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and concepts of heat and mass transfer associated with industrial processes.
Choose one:
Advanced Chemical Analysis
Develop through advanced topics in the theory and practice of chemical analysis, including method development from first principles through to final presentation, method validation, and group work.
Chemotherapeutics
Study the biological processes involved in disease proliferation and the use of chemotherapeutic agents as a treatment.
Nano and Green Chemistry
Develop an appreciation of cutting-edge progress in nanomaterials and green chemistry, their use in domestic and engineering applications and the theory and practice of green chemistry.
Communicating Science and Technology
An opportunity for you to gain valuable transferable skills working as a ‘student-tutor’ with teachers in local schools or to work on a community-based project.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Video Gallery
How you're taught
Chemistry is a practical subject, so all modules on this course contain some element of work-like learning. You’ll hear from guest speakers on topics such as applied instrumental analysis and chemotherapeutics, and take part in mini projects in advanced chemical analysis.
You’ll experience more work-like learning in the Professional Development and Professional Practice modules. In these modules partners from industry set you a problem-based task where you’ll cost and assess the delivery of your solution and deliver a report. The Project module incorporates skills and knowledge from your previous modules in a final showcase piece of work where students and industrial partners exchange experiences and build valuable networks.
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical sessions - using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
- workshops - this includes surgery sessions where you’ll meet with your lecturer in small groups to discuss any problems or work through challenging topics.
The rest of your time will be spent carrying out independent study such as reading textbooks and lecture notes, and working on exercises.
Hands-on learning
You’ll get to use our industry-standard equipment, such as our mass specs and x-ray crystallography, right from the very start of your course. From developing risk assessments and COSSH assessments you’ll know how a professional lab works and how to follow laboratory processes and protocols used in industry – all valuable skills to have before you graduate.
Developing practical skills
Through group work and the Professional Practice module you’ll start designing your own experiments and trying things out. Developing problem-solving skills by testing and learning are valuable skills for any chemist to have and we make sure you get this experience right from the start of your course. We’ve also embedded employability skills in the course so you are not only learning theory and skills, but you know where to find your dream job and how to apply for it.
Get published
During your project, you’ll be working on real research projects often alongside our chemistry researchers. Our research papers are frequently published in international scientific journals with our students named as contributing authors – a great start to your career.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study, you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
How you're assessed
People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. That’s why we’ve adopted a range of assessment types, including:
- Practical assessments - Because there is a lot of practical work in this course, the majority of assessments will involve reviews of your coursework and practical experience.
- Group and Lab assessments - We will be assessing group projects and laboratory work, as well as the portfolio that you’ll develop throughout the course.
- Exams and dissertation - You'll also give oral presentations and produce a final year dissertation. Some assessments will be in the form of written exams and in-class written tests.
Careers and employability
Because our chemistry graduates possess a wide range of academic and transferrable skills, they have excellent employment prospects. In addition to analytical and developmental chemistry, they have also worked in scientific sales, pharmaceuticals, research, and teaching. Recent graduates have secured roles as analytical chemists, pharmaceutical chemists and research chemists in organisations such as AstraZeneca, Boots and Bayern Oil.
Many graduates also choose to go onto further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Centre (ISTeC) and Rosalind Franklin Building with your own allocated fume hood and access to equipment including mass spectrometers and NMR machines.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Standard offer: 72 UCAS tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent.
- Other requirements: GCSE - Chemistry or Double Science B / 6, Maths grade B / 6 and English C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: 72 UCAS tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
- Other requirements: GCSE - Chemistry or Double Science B / 6, Maths grade B / 6 and English C / 4.
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
