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Undergraduate degree

Chemistry BSc

UCAS code: F100

Key information

Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
Classroom
Study mode:
Full time
Required A-level:
AAB
Duration:
Three years
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2022
Application deadline:
26 January 2022
Apply via UCAS

Our Chemistry BSc degree will give you a theoretical and experimental understanding of chemistry in the modern world. Our teaching is research-enriched teaching context, transcending the traditional divisions of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry and integrating practical methods throughout. It is designed to train the next generation of articulate, flexible chemists for a wide variety of careers starting with chemical, biotech and pharmaceutical industries and extending to wide careers such as finance, law and media.

Key benefits

  • Accredited by the Royal Society for Chemistry.
  • 6th in the UK for Chemistry (Times Higher Education 2021)
  • You'll have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities located in the heart of London.
  • You'll benefit from research-enriched teaching delivered by internationally renowned scientists and researchers.
hayley-wootton

“I chose to study at King’s as I was drawn to the rapport between staff and students in the Chemistry department.”

Hayley, Chemistry with Biomedicine MSci

Our Chemistry BSc will provide you with a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of chemistry preparing you for a professional life in the ever-changing environment of 21st century chemistry. To achieve these goals, our course integrates the teaching of chemistry foundations with the applications of chemistry using examples taken from the very broad range of chemical and biomedical research and practice at King’s. The course starts with the principles of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, with additional maths, to ensure you can successfully handle advanced physical and computational chemistry. It incorporates an integrated laboratory course that brings together the different strands of chemistry and applies them to a range of chemical systems. In your third year, you will choose from a range of specialised modules in order to investigate particular aspects of the application of chemical principles to contemporary global and industrial challenges. Optional short research projects may also be available as part of the Research Methods module. Our academics have expertise in a number of research areas, including spectroscopic and computational methods, materials science and nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and analytical, green and sustainable chemistry. Flexibility in course choice: Students on the BSc and MSci courses do the same first three years, which includes project-driven laboratory practicals in Year 3. Students wanting a general Chemistry degree, for instance to progress to teaching, journalism, management and similar careers, will usually opt for the BSc degree. However, if you want a full-research experience that introduces you to current areas of intensive chemical research you should choose the MSci degree, which involves an additional year. To do this you would normally require marks in Year 3 equivalent to a 2:1 or above. Transfer between these two degrees is possible up to and including the third year. Transfer from the Chemistry MSci/BSc degrees, to the Chemistry with Biomedicine MSci/BSc degrees, is also possible up to the end of your second term of the first year. Students on the Chemistry and Chemistry with Biomedicine BSc/MSci are also able to transfer to the corresponding ‘with a Year’s Professional Placement’ pathway after their second year providing they meet the academic requirements and gain one of the competitive year-long internships. This will add an extra year to the course. A Study Abroad pathway is available for MSci students to transfer into and spend either their third year, or a semester of their third or fourth year, studying at a partner institution before returning to King’s to complete their studies. Transfer and progression to the Study Abroad pathway or the ‘with a Year’s Professional Placement’ course requires students to meet and maintain a grade threshold.

Base campuses

waterloo-banner
Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

campus guys
Guy’s Campus

The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and the Dental Institute are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.

Course accreditation

Royal Society of Chemistry accreditation

The Royal Society for Chemistry

Awarding Institutions

kcl logo

King's College London and Affiliates

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Subject requirements

Required subjects:
A-level (or equivalent) grade A in Chemistry, and grade A in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics
Preferred subjects:
Biology, Mathematics or Physics

A-Levels

Required grades:
AAB

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.

Must include grade A in Chemistry, and grade A in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

Contextual A-Level information

ABC Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Must include grade A in Chemistry, and grade B in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

International Baccalaureate

35 points including 665 at Higher Level.

Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry, and grade 6 in Higher Level in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE. Note: IB students studying the new Mathematics curriculum would be required to study Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics - Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level to meet the Mathematics subject requirement for this programme

Contextual International Baccalaureate information

32 points including 654 at Higher Level. Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry, and grade 5 in Higher Level in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Notes: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE. Note: IB students studying the new Mathematics curriculum would be required to study Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics - Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level to meet the Mathematics subject requirement for this programme

You will also need:

Information for students thinking of applying with no A-level Mathematics:

We welcome students having no Mathematics at A-level, provided that they are numerically proficient and comfortable doing mathematics, which is fundamental to Chemistry, and is used in all their areas, with a special emphasis in physical chemistry. The importance of mathematics in the Chemistry curriculum is the reason of having a specific module Mathematics for Chemists in the second term of the first year.

 

We recommend students applying with no Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent) to have obtained at least an A at GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics (or equivalent) or a B at AS-Mathematics (or equivalent).

Alternative accepted qualifications

Standard requirements

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above

English language requirements

English language band: D

Selection process

Application deadline: 26th January 2022 - 18:00 GMT

 

Contextual consideration

We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.

Deferrals

Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.

If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.

Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.

Foundation courses

Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.

We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.

The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.

Graduates

Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.

Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.

Where a programme has subject requirements, these will still need to have been met. If you have not met the subject requirements via A-level (or equivalent) then we may be able to consider the content within your degree. We would be looking for significant study of the subjects across the degree programme with a 2:1 or above grading on those modules.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and profession as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.

Resits

We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.

Transfers

We are able to consider applications for transfer into Year 2 of this programme. Please see our Transferring to King’s website for more information.

Help for international applicants

International Foundation Year

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.

Pre-sessional courses

If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Workshops
Laboratory Sessions
Independent study
Coursework
Preparation for examinations

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15 credit module.

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Written/Practical Examinations
  • Written Reports
  • Practical assessment
  • Class tests
  • Oral Presentations
  • Unseen Examinations

Coursework contributes approximately 56% and examinations approximately 44% to your final mark.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

Our Chemistry graduates are in high demand because employers recognise the wide range of skills that they possess. We train Chemists to think logically and apply mathematical and practical techniques to solve real problems. Our ambition is to produce graduates who have a wider vision of the applications of chemistry for the coming decades and who are equipped for flexible careers to adapt to the changing global and national challenges facing Chemistry. Graduates from our course can be found in a range of sectors where they can exploit their skills and expertise including research, management, finance, medicine and law.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

  • Market Analyst, RBS
  • Technology Consultant, KPMG
  • Tax Associate, Grant Thornton
  • Media Analyst, Media Sense Communications
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Financial Management
  • Molecular and Life Science

Tuition Fees

Full time tuition fees UK:

The UK tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees International:

The International tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is £29,460 per year.

Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 

Funding

Our Chemistry BSc will provide you with a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of chemistry preparing you for a professional life in the ever-changing environment of 21st century chemistry. To achieve these goals, our course integrates the teaching of chemistry foundations with the applications of chemistry using examples taken from the very broad range of chemical and biomedical research and practice at King’s. The course starts with the principles of physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, with additional maths, to ensure you can successfully handle advanced physical and computational chemistry. It incorporates an integrated laboratory course that brings together the different strands of chemistry and applies them to a range of chemical systems. In your third year, you will choose from a range of specialised modules in order to investigate particular aspects of the application of chemical principles to contemporary global and industrial challenges. Optional short research projects may also be available as part of the Research Methods module. Our academics have expertise in a number of research areas, including spectroscopic and computational methods, materials science and nanotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences and analytical, green and sustainable chemistry. Flexibility in course choice: Students on the BSc and MSci courses do the same first three years, which includes project-driven laboratory practicals in Year 3. Students wanting a general Chemistry degree, for instance to progress to teaching, journalism, management and similar careers, will usually opt for the BSc degree. However, if you want a full-research experience that introduces you to current areas of intensive chemical research you should choose the MSci degree, which involves an additional year. To do this you would normally require marks in Year 3 equivalent to a 2:1 or above. Transfer between these two degrees is possible up to and including the third year. Transfer from the Chemistry MSci/BSc degrees, to the Chemistry with Biomedicine MSci/BSc degrees, is also possible up to the end of your second term of the first year. Students on the Chemistry and Chemistry with Biomedicine BSc/MSci are also able to transfer to the corresponding ‘with a Year’s Professional Placement’ pathway after their second year providing they meet the academic requirements and gain one of the competitive year-long internships. This will add an extra year to the course. A Study Abroad pathway is available for MSci students to transfer into and spend either their third year, or a semester of their third or fourth year, studying at a partner institution before returning to King’s to complete their studies. Transfer and progression to the Study Abroad pathway or the ‘with a Year’s Professional Placement’ course requires students to meet and maintain a grade threshold.

Base campuses

waterloo-banner
Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

campus guys
Guy’s Campus

The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and the Dental Institute are based at the riverside Guy's Campus, next to the Shard.

Course accreditation

Royal Society of Chemistry accreditation

The Royal Society for Chemistry

Awarding Institutions

kcl logo

King's College London and Affiliates

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

Subject requirements

Required subjects:
A-level (or equivalent) grade A in Chemistry, and grade A in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics
Preferred subjects:
Biology, Mathematics or Physics

A-Levels

Required grades:
AAB

Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.

Must include grade A in Chemistry, and grade A in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

Contextual A-Level information

ABC Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Must include grade A in Chemistry, and grade B in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.

International Baccalaureate

35 points including 665 at Higher Level.

Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry, and grade 6 in Higher Level in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Notes: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE. Note: IB students studying the new Mathematics curriculum would be required to study Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics - Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level to meet the Mathematics subject requirement for this programme

Contextual International Baccalaureate information

32 points including 654 at Higher Level. Must include grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry, and grade 5 in Higher Level in one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Notes: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE. Note: IB students studying the new Mathematics curriculum would be required to study Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics - Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level to meet the Mathematics subject requirement for this programme

You will also need:

Information for students thinking of applying with no A-level Mathematics:

We welcome students having no Mathematics at A-level, provided that they are numerically proficient and comfortable doing mathematics, which is fundamental to Chemistry, and is used in all their areas, with a special emphasis in physical chemistry. The importance of mathematics in the Chemistry curriculum is the reason of having a specific module Mathematics for Chemists in the second term of the first year.

 

We recommend students applying with no Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent) to have obtained at least an A at GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics (or equivalent) or a B at AS-Mathematics (or equivalent).

Alternative accepted qualifications

Standard requirements

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above

English language requirements

English language band: D

Selection process

Application deadline: 26th January 2022 - 18:00 GMT

 

Contextual consideration

We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.

Deferrals

Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.

If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.

Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.

Foundation courses

Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.

We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.

The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.

Graduates

Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.

Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.

Where a programme has subject requirements, these will still need to have been met. If you have not met the subject requirements via A-level (or equivalent) then we may be able to consider the content within your degree. We would be looking for significant study of the subjects across the degree programme with a 2:1 or above grading on those modules.

Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and profession as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.

Resits

We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.

Transfers

We are able to consider applications for transfer into Year 2 of this programme. Please see our Transferring to King’s website for more information.

Help for international applicants

International Foundation Year

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.

Pre-sessional courses

If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.

Teaching methods - what to expect

Lectures
Workshops
Laboratory Sessions
Independent study
Coursework
Preparation for examinations

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15 credit module.

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Written/Practical Examinations
  • Written Reports
  • Practical assessment
  • Class tests
  • Oral Presentations
  • Unseen Examinations

Coursework contributes approximately 56% and examinations approximately 44% to your final mark.

Structure

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Employability

Our Chemistry graduates are in high demand because employers recognise the wide range of skills that they possess. We train Chemists to think logically and apply mathematical and practical techniques to solve real problems. Our ambition is to produce graduates who have a wider vision of the applications of chemistry for the coming decades and who are equipped for flexible careers to adapt to the changing global and national challenges facing Chemistry. Graduates from our course can be found in a range of sectors where they can exploit their skills and expertise including research, management, finance, medicine and law.

Destinations

Recent graduates have found employment within the following job roles and companies:

  • Market Analyst, RBS
  • Technology Consultant, KPMG
  • Tax Associate, Grant Thornton
  • Media Analyst, Media Sense Communications
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Financial Management
  • Molecular and Life Science

Tuition Fees

Full time tuition fees UK:

The UK tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is currently £9,250 per year. This is based on the UK Government’s cap.

Full time tuition fees International:

The International tuition fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is £29,460 per year.

Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 against their first year’s tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King’s.

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Graduation costs
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses 

Funding

Key information

Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
Classroom
Study mode:
Full time
Required A-level:
AAB
Duration:
Three years
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2022
Application deadline:
26 January 2022
Apply via UCAS

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