Chemistry modules and placements

Chemistry students talking in department

About our Chemistry modules at Warwick

We offer the same core modules for Year 1 and 2 in all our undergraduate chemistry courses.

In Years 3 and 4, you have the flexibility to choose optional modules tailored to your own interests - additionally, our four-year courses offer the opportunity to undertake a cutting-edge research project with one of our academic research groups.

Students working on an experiment

Upcoming changes to modules

We are planning to make some changes to our undergraduate Chemistry degrees for 2025 entry. Changes to core and optional modules go through the University's rigorous academic processes.

As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on our university study pages. It is therefore very important that you check our study pages for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.

Undergraduate Chemistry degree modules

You can find information on all modules across our courses below.

If you have a specific course you are thinking of applying to, you can find out about the modules as part of the course by clicking on the following course titles:

Year 1

Students writing on whiteboard

Year 2

Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills II
Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy
Organic Synthesis and Reactivity
Inorganic Materials from Complexes to Solids
Macromolecules
Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Core for Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry, optional for all other courses)
Chemistry for Sustainability (Optional, all courses)

Professor at whiteboard

Year 3

Advanced Organic Chemistry and Laboratory
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry and Laboratory
Advanced Physical Chemistry and Laboratory
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Molecular Pharmacology (Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry only)

MChem with Industrial Placement students spend a full year in industry during Year 3 with some distance learning.

MChem with International Placement students take the summer term abroad which replaces the laboratory sessions.

Student in classroom

Optional modules for year 3

You will choose optional modules to tailor your degree to your interests. There is a broad selection of optional modules to choose from in both years three and four. These delve further into aspects of Chemistry along with extended lab work, giving you a broad and deep understanding of the subject.

Representative optional modules in Year 3 include:

Molecular Structure and Dynamics
Bioorganic Chemistry
Polymer and Colloid Science
Energy
Extended Lab (core for MChem)
Coordination and Bio-Inorganic Chemistry
Communicating Science (delivered by the Physics department)
Secondary School Teaching (delivered by the Centre for Teacher Education department)

Chemistry student performing an experiment

Year 4

Research Project
Advanced Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry only)

Student and professor in conversation

Optional modules for Year 4

You will choose optional modules to tailor your degree to your interests. There is a broad selection of optional modules to choose from in Year 4. These delve further into aspects of Chemistry, giving you a better understanding of the state-of-the-art in the subject.

Representative optional modules in Year 4 include:

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Chemistry placements and internships

Placements are a great way to enhance your Chemistry degree by undertaking research projects at industrial or academic partners.

You have the option of industrial placements (UK or overseas), or academic placements across Europe, Singapore or Australia.

Chemistry students in conversation

3 month industrial placement (BSc)

Timing

This is a short industrial placement during the summer term, between April and June, in Year 3. It replaces your laboratory classes.

Finding a placement

As this involves a placement at an external organisation, we cannot guarantee that a suitable placement position will be available - however, our dedicated careers team will be on hand to help.

Assessment

You will be required to write a project report on your placement. You will be assessed on the report and your performance on placement by their supervisor.

Your grade counts for 25% of the academic year and towards your final degree result.

Professor at whiteboard

3-6 month academic/industrial placement (MChem)

Timing

You can take a placement in industry or at an overseas university between April and September in Year 3.

Funding

Further information about overseas placements is available through Student Opportunity.

Assessment

You will submit a project report about your placement at the end of Year 3. Your supervisor at your host university or industry will also write a report assessing your attendance and commitment.

This counts for 25% of the academic year, and towards your final degree result.

Student looking a whiteboard

12-month industrial placement with integrated distance learning (MChem)

Timing

This replaces your third year of study. It helps you to develop a range of interactive skills, as well as professional experience in an industrial environment.

Assessment

You will study a core module in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry by distance learning during the placement.

You will complete project work during the placement. You will be assessed by a written literature review, and an oral presentation, followed by an interview at the end of Year 3.

Your industrial supervisor will write a report assessing your attendance, enthusiasm and commitment.

Your grade is worth 75% of the year, which counts towards your final degree result, and the words ‘with Industrial Placement’ will be added to your degree title.

Students in chemistry corridor

12-month intercalated year (BSc/MChem)

You can work for a company, institution, or organisation related to Chemistry, allowing you to gain professional experience, without formally counting towards the final degree result.

The words ‘with Intercalated Year’ are added to the degree title.

Placement opportunities are available as advertised by UK/worldwide industry.

Student performing experiment