This course is not available to international students.
Study › Undergraduate courses
Chemical Sciences BSc (Hons) (4 year route including a Foundation Year at Carmel College)
Course details
- UCAS code: F108
- Study mode: Full-time
- Length: 4 years (1+3)
Course overview
If you love chemistry and want to keep your future career options open, this programme offers a solid grounding in all aspects of chemistry, while allowing you to incorporate some non-chemical options to broaden your education.
Introduction
This is the ideal option if you think you want to start studying chemistry at a lower level than the three-year BSc (Hons) Chemistry programme and are uncertain of an area of specialism.
You spend the foundation year at Carmel College (St Helens) studying chemistry and mathematics with options from biology, geography and physics. Carmel College is located in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. The College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement. You then transfer into the first year at the University and choose either:
- Chemistry BSc (Hons) (F100)
- Chemistry with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons) F111
- Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) (F1B2)
- Ocean Sciences (Chemistry Pathway) Bsc (Hons) F700.
Years two, three and four are identical in content to the three years of the degree programme you have chosen, see module information under descriptions for F100 and F1B2.
What you'll learn
- Practical application of chemistry
- Material chemistry
- Energy and catalysis
- Functional interfaces
- Medicine and bio-nano chemistry
- Theoretical and computational chemistry
- Renewable and sustainable chemistry
- Numeracy and problem solving.
Accreditation
Our BSc programmes have bachelor accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) ensuring your degree with us will set you on the pathway to a successful career.
Routes
- Chemistry BSc (Hons)
- Chemistry with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons)
- Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons)
- Ocean Sciences BSc (Hons)
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year zero
Students follow a programme covering basic sciences including compulsory modules in:
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
And optional modules chosen from:
- Biology
- Geography
- Physics
On successful completion of the programme at Carmel College, students transfer to the first year of their chosen degree programme.
How you'll learn
This four-year Chemical Sciences degree programme aims to provide broad coverage of all aspects of chemistry with the foundation year at Carmel College.
How you're assessed
Assessment is mainly by examination and coursework but, depending on the modules taken, you may encounter project work, presentations (individual or group), and specific tests or tasks focused on solidifying learning outcomes. Students are expected to score an overall mark of 50% to progress to the second year of the course. In second year, students will start on the first year of their selected degree programme at the University of Liverpool.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Your experience
The Central Teaching Laboratories offer a unique environment for the study of physical sciences. Chemistry occupies the top floor, which houses synthetic chemistry and physical chemistry labs with new equipment for a wide range of experiments.
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What students say...

The research that takes place in the chemistry department here in Liverpool is internationally leading, and makes a huge impacts around the world.

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Careers and employability
Our graduates develop a wide range of skills including numeracy, problem solving and IT in addition to scientific skills. Visits to the Department by leading companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever ensure that you make contact with prospective employers at key stages in your final year. Graduates find employment in many areas, from the pharmaceutical industry to business management. Typical careers of our graduates include assistant analyst, development chemist, research assistant, and site chemist.
86% of the University of Liverpool’s chemistry students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.
Recent employers:
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Unilever
- IOTA Nanosolutions Ltd
- Perstorp Caprolactones
- Shell
- Towers Watson
- United Utilities
Preparing you for future success
At Liverpool, our goal is to support you to build your intellectual, social, and cultural capital so that you graduate as a socially-conscious global citizen who is prepared for future success. We achieve this by:
- Embedding employability within your , through the modules you take and the opportunities to gain real-world experience offered by many of our courses.
- Providing you with opportunities to gain experience and develop connections with people and organisations, including student and graduate employers as well as our global alumni.
- Providing you with the latest tools and skills to thrive in a competitive world, including access to Handshake, a platform which allows you to create your personalised job shortlist and apply with ease.
- Supporting you through our peer-to-peer led Careers Studio, where our career coaches provide you with tailored advice and support.
Meet our alumni
Hear what graduates say about their career progression and life after university.

Hannah Grisdale, MChem Chemistry
I chose to study chemistry at Liverpool University because of the brilliant reputation the university, and more importantly, the department has. The research that takes place in the chemistry department here in Liverpool is internationally leading, and makes a huge impacts around the world. I looked around many different departments when deciding on my choice […]
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about tuition fees, funding and student finance.
UK fees | |
---|---|
Foundation year fee | £5,140 |
International fees | |
---|---|
This course is not available to international students. |
Following the foundation years, standard course fees apply.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to help cover tuition fees and help with living expenses while at university.
Scholarships and bursaries you can apply for from the United Kingdom
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
My qualifications are from: United Kingdom.
Your qualification | Requirements |
---|---|
A levels |
A typical offer is likely to be CDD at A level, in related subjects. Students with alternative A level combinations are welcome to apply but should expect to be made higher offers. For further information, visit www.carmel.ac.uk, email degree@carmel.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1744 452 213. Applicants over 21 can be considered on GCSEs alone |
GCSE | All applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Mathematics and two Sciences. Core and Additional Science/Dual Science acceptable as the two Sciences. Alternatively, if separate sciences are being studied then one of these must be GCSE Chemistry. Applicants over 21 can be considered on GCSEs alone. |
International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you. |
Alternative entry requirements
- If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
- Applications from mature students are welcome.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
- Send us a message and we'll get back to you via email with an answer
Live chat is available Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm.
- Live Chat (Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm)
- Phone: +44 (0) 151 794 5927 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
- Other ways to get in touch
Last updated 4 July 2022 / See what's changed / Programme terms and conditions