Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Undergraduate Chemistry Degrees

Students looking at chemistry beakers

One of the best universities for Chemistry in the UK*

At our department of Chemistry, you will join a diverse and thriving community that supports each other to achieve their potential - supported by academics and teaching staff who want to help you achieve your career goals.

Academic staff perform cutting-edge research in globally-important topics, ranging from sustainable polymers to new solar-cell materials to the discovery of new natural products for antimicrobials.

Our Chemistry degrees are accredited by the Royal Society of ChemistryLink opens in a new window (subject to optional module choices, and passing relevant modules).

Register to receive information, including our course brochure, updates on University of Warwick Open Days and live chats and to find out more about Chemistry at Warwick:

Sign up for updates and view our brochureLink opens in a new window

*Our rankings

8th

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

11th

in the UK, QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

9th

The Complete University Guide 2023

Our Chemistry degrees

We offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to transfer between Chemistry courses at any time in the first two years as you develop your interests and future plans.

Student looking at chemicals in beaker

Chemistry BSc

Our three-year Chemistry BSc begins with building a solid foundation in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry in Year 1, as well as teaching essential skills including practical laboratory work, maths for chemists, and coding. Year 2 expands on this foundation, delving deeper into key topics such as solid-state materials for batteries, polymers, and advanced organic synthesis methods.

Year 3 lets you tailor your course to your own interests, with a range of optional modules available drawn from the cutting-edge of contemporary chemical research.

Student looking at chemicals from behind glass

Chemistry MChem

The first three years of our Chemistry MChem degree follows the same pattern as our Chemistry BSc degree.

In Year 4, you will undertake your own research project at the cutting-edge of chemical science; you might find yourself synthesising new drug molecules, investigating new materials for better solar cells, or using artificial intelligence to predict the mechanisms of chemical reactions. As such, our MChem degree offers an incredible opportunity to contribute to chemistry and chemical knowledge.

Chemistry degrees with placement

“Choosing to go on a placement abroad is the best thing I have ever done. I grew in confidence during my time at Monash – both in my skills as a chemist and also in a wider sense. Spending time at Monash has given me the chance to travel, explore and have many new and exciting experiences. A placement abroad can be challenging but it is so rewarding and allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and achieve things I would never have thought possible before I went.”

Gaby | (MChem Chemistry graduate and Graduate Analyst, High Value Manufacturing at Innovate)

Chemistry students talking

Chemistry with industrial placement MChem

The first two years of your degree will follow the same path as our Chemistry BSc degree.

You will undertake a one-year-long industrial placement, performing research at an industrial partner (in the UK or overseas). You will be fully involved in finding a placement, ensuring that you are selecting a field that suits you, develops your transferable skills, and helps to prepare you for future employment.

Student working on computer

Chemistry with international placement MChem

If you are considering a career in research and/or want to explore different fields through an international placement, then this degree is for you.

Years 1 and 2, and the first two terms of Year 3, are spent at Warwick - following the same path as our Chemistry MChem degree. With the opportunity in the final part of Year 3 to perform research for three to six months at one of our overseas partner institutions in Europe, Australia or Singapore.

In Year 4, you will return to Warwick, rejoining the MChem cohort to take optional modules and perform a significant research project with one of our academic research groups.

Medicinal Chemistry degrees

If you are interested in how chemists contribute to medicinal chemistry, drug discovery and healthcare, you might be interested in our degrees with a medicinal chemistry focus. With state of the art insight and analysis our degrees with medicinal focus are delivered by pharmaceutical industry leaders.

Lecturer and student looking at a model of chemical components

Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry BSc

This degree provides a solid foundation in chemistry coupled with specialist knowledge in advanced medicinal chemistry/biochemistry.

Years 1 and 2 follow the same path as our Chemistry BSc degree - you will carry out a range of interdisciplinary experiments that will prepare you for an investigative project in the area of Medicinal Chemistry during your third year. Year 3 offers the possibility to learn about the pharmaceutical and drug discovery pipeline, offering a great foundation if you are interested in future careers relating to chemistry and healthcare.

Chemistry professor showing students an experiment from behind protective glass

Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry MChem

Our four-year Medicinal Chemistry degree follows the same path as our BSc Medicinal Chemistry degree in your first three years.

In Year 4, you will undertake a research project which is related to the field of medicinal chemistry - giving you insight into how academic research is helping to address global challenges in drug discovery, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and more. Your research project will be based on your specialism, and you can expect to be working on drug discovery of novel antibiotic, anticancer or anti-inflammatory compounds through organic synthesis or natural product isolation.

Our Chemistry modules

We offer the same core modules for Year One and Two in all undergraduate chemistry courses. In Years Three and Four, you will have flexibility to choose optional modules to complement your studies.

Chemistry modules

Students talking in the department of chemistry

Hear from our Chemistry students

What is it like to study Chemistry at Warwick? Our student bloggersLink opens in a new window share their experiences of life at Warwick - read more about the course and life on campus, and find out about the ChemSoc society.

ChemSoc aims to help students interested in chemistry to achieve their full potential. The society brings like-minded people together, to learn and support each other. Their mentoring scheme helps first year students settle into life at university and regular social events offers plenty of opportunities to meet others.

Hear from our Chemistry student bloggers

Careers in Chemistry

You will develop a range of transferable skills allowing you to progress in your chosen future career path.

"My time at Warwick fostered a sense of curiosity, which is essential to being a scientist – understanding how and why things work in the way they do. From that curiosity, I realised that I wanted to use the skills I’d learned to have a positive impact on the world."

Natasha Boulding (MChem Chemistry with Professional Experience, 2015) Co-Founder and CEO of Sphera

Careers in chemistry

Chemist looking at chemicals

Frequently asked questions and live chat

You can find answers to our most frequently asked questions on our dedicated chemistry undergraduate FAQ page. If you have any further questions about Chemistry at Warwick please contact our team, and we will be happy to help answer these questions.

We host online live chats where you can speak to our course director, admission tutor and current Chemistry students about studying and life at Warwick. Sign up below and discover more about the Chemistry department.

Frequently asked questions Register for a live chat

Lecturer at whiteboard teaching