Chemical Sciences BSc (Hons) 2019 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Chemical Sciences will teach you the fundamentals of Chemistry, from the composition and properties of matter to using reactions to create new materials, and from pharmaceuticals to drinkable water. This degree allows you to include a small component of a non-chemistry subject at Honours level, such as Communication and Teaching in Science.

This degree is especially suited to students who want a career where a strong science base is needed, but who do not seek advanced professional chemist accreditation. For example, the technology sector, teaching, journalism or patent law.

Applications for 2019 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

F105

Course type

Bachelor of Science (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

  • Start date: 9 September 2019
  • End date: 30 June 2023

If you started this programme in 2018, you can find information about 2018 entry on the 2018 Chemical Sciences page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Entry requirements

The following are likely grades considered for an offer. St Andrews considers all aspects of every application, including context, equivalent qualifications and the personal statement, and offers may be higher or lower than the grades stated here.

SQA Highers AAAB, including A in Chemistry, and an additional Higher in one of the following:
  • Biology or Human Biology
  • Computing Science or equivalent
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.
GCE A-Levels AAB, including A in Chemistry.
IB points 35, including HL6 in Chemistry.

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes, please see our entry requirements for more information.

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course. Find out more about direct entry to second year for Chemical Sciences.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Applicants must have studied Chemistry at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Science minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty. More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements webpage.

Find out more about Faculty of Science entry requirements.

Timetables

St Andrews students must meet with their Adviser of Studies at the beginning of Semester 1 in September to complete advising – a compulsory part of the matriculation process. After module choices have been decided, a timetable will be allocated indicating the dates and times of classes.

Reputation

In the UK Research Excellence Framework 2014, Chemistry research at St Andrews was ranked top in Scotland with 95% of its overall research activity rated as world leading or internationally excellent.

The School of Chemistry was the first School at St Andrews to receive an Athena SWAN Silver award. The School is determined to actively support equality and fairness irrespective of race, disability, age, faith, gender or sexual orientation and is taking active steps to stamp out any explicit or implicit discrimination of staff and students on the basis of these differences.

The School of Chemistry was ranked second in Scotland by the Guardian University Guide 2019 and was ranked first in Scotland and fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2019.

The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2018 as 94% of St Andrews final year students gave the University top marks for the quality of the learning and teaching experience.

The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.

Find out more about studying Chemistry at St Andrews.

Course information

The BSc in Chemical Sciences is a four-year course run by the School of Chemistry. Chemical Sciences at St Andrews provides students with a fundamental and comprehensive understanding of chemistry, along with the flexibility to study some modules at Honours level in other science, social science or business-related subjects. 

In the first two years, you will take modules in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. The skills you gain in research and analysis during these years will prepare you to undertake more advanced and specialist modules during your final two years. Examples of previously offered modules have included (but are not limited to):

  • chemistry of materials
  • carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemistry
  • energy conversion and storage
  • functional materials.

Alongside Chemistry, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.

During your final year, you will also carry out a research project on a topic chosen in consultation with staff from the School of Chemistry.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure webpage.

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course. Find out more about direct entry to second year for Chemical Sciences.

Find out more about studying Chemistry at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Chemistry alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take one or two Chemistry modules per semester during your first two years, and four to six per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students will take the following compulsory first-year modules:

  • Introduction to Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: covers the origin of the elements, atoms and the Periodic Table, shapes and properties of molecules, chemistry of the elements, properties of solutions, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics.
  • Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1: covers bonding in simple molecules, inorganic solids, chemistry of the first row transition metals, properties of solids, states of matter and introductory spectroscopy.
  • Organic and Biological Chemistry 1: covers the structure, stereochemistry and nomenclature of simple organic compounds, fundamental organic reaction mechanisms, organic functional groups and their reactions, introductory bioorganic chemistry, and organic spectroscopy.

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules: 

  • Inorganic Chemistry 2: covers metal complexes and organometallics, descriptive transition-metal chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, solid-state chemistry and descriptive main-group chemistry.
  • Organic Chemistry 2: covers carbon-carbon bond formation, interconversion of functional groups, aromatic and heteroaromatic reactivity, mechanistic biological chemistry and organic spectroscopy.
  • Physical Chemistry 2: covers quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry, kinetics, molecular spectroscopy and diffraction and mathematical tools for chemistry.

If you decide to take Chemical Sciences in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced modules in Chemistry alongside a small number of modules in other science, social science or business-related subjects.

Here is a sample of Honours modules in Chemistry which have been offered in previous years:

  • Energy Conversion and Storage
  • Blockbuster Solids
  • Ligand Design
  • Functional Materials and Electrons in Solids
  • Fragrance, Food and Colour Chemistry
  • Heterocyclic and Pericyclic Chemistry.

In fourth year, students will conduct a research project which is designed to develop your skills in experimental design and problem-solving, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and communication skills. The project is selected and supervised by a member of academic staff. 


The sub-honours modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours-level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules available for the current academic year can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

Chemistry is taught through a combination of lectures (90 to 200 students) and labs (20 to 40 students), which are supplemented by small group tutorials (6 to 10 students). Class sizes decrease at Honours level.

All lecture courses have web-based support materials, and additional teaching support is given for selected topics, such as mathematics.  

When not attending lectures, tutorials and other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:

  • working on individual and group projects
  • undertaking research in a laboratory
  • undertaking research in the library
  • preparing coursework assignments and presentations
  • preparing for examinations.

You will be taught by a research-led teaching team with expertise and knowledge of Chemical Sciences. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken training may also contribute to the teaching of laboratory classes under the supervision of the module leader.

You can find contact information for all Chemistry staff on the School of Chemistry website.

In addition to your studies in the School of Chemistry, optional academic support is available through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.

The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities webpage.

Assessment

All sub-honours modules are assessed by 60% to 70% written examinations combined with 30% to 40% coursework covering laboratories, tutorials and transferable skills exercises.

For Honours modules, assessment is either by written examination for lecture-based modules, or by coursework including written reports, oral presentations and oral examinations for laboratory, workshop and research project modules.

Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.

The School of Chemistry provides feedback on every assessment with a view to improving your performance in future, and aims to provide feedback on assessments and coursework within three weeks.

Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. Please note that some Schools offer qualified entry to Honours, and this will be clearly specified in the programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please visit the common reporting scale webpage.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2019 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £22,350

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.

Accommodation fees

Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Your future

Careers

Chemical Sciences graduates have never been more in demand, and they are keenly sought by major companies; there are also exciting opportunities in a new generation of innovative grassroots companies.

St Andrews Chemical Sciences graduates are highly employable and have gone on to find success in a wide variety of careers in industry and business where a strong science base is needed, including:

  • technology sector
  • financial sector
  • teaching
  • journalism
  • patent law.     

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Working abroad

Completing a work placement abroad is a good opportunity to gain work experience in another culture or language and to enhance valuable skill sets. As part of specific degree programmes in Chemistry, you may apply to undertake a work placement abroad for credit.

Student life

Given the small, elite nature of the University, the School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews offers a unique experience blending education in state-of-the-art science facilities while enjoying the traditions of an ancient university in a historic and picturesque setting.

The relatively small size of the School's undergraduate chemistry cohort results in a rather unique nurturing and nourishing environment where students have frequent contact with world-class academics. The School of Chemistry is ranked as one of the top Chemistry departments in the UK, and is known for the personal and flexible nature of its undergraduate Chemistry programmes.

The School of Chemistry is located in the Biomedical Sciences Building and the Purdie Building in the North Haugh on the western edge of town. These buildings offer recently upgraded lecture theatres and seminar rooms, as well as state-of-the-art teaching laboratories for chemistry. 

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland.

Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

Contact

School of Chemistry
University of St Andrews
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3800
Email: chemistry@st-andrews.ac.uk

Chemistry website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).