Chemistry Degrees 2013
As a student on a chemistry degree programme, you will work in a stimulating, exciting and fastmoving discipline using cutting-edge technology. Consider how the future sustainable generation of electrical energy is dependent upon chemistry at the atomic level in batteries and fuel cells, which in turn rely on the designer chemistry of polymers and oxides. Consider how some polymers can be used as smart materials to mimic biological function. Think how computational chemistry is adding to our knowledge in the construction of designer molecules.
Degree programmes
Entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements
- MChem: A-level grades AAB
- BSc: A-level grades ABB
We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking in our offers.
Conditional offers from Surrey will be made in grades or marks, and not listed in points from the UCAS tariff.
Required subjects
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent).
At least two science A-levels to include Chemistry.
Medicinal Chemistry only: AS or A-level Biology preferred.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
Other suitable qualifications
Cambridge Pre-U: M1, M1, M1 – M1, M1, M2
European Baccalaureate: 75 – 74%
International Baccalaureate: 35 – 34 points
BTEC (QCF Level 3) Extended Diploma: DDD – DDM
In addition, we accept a wide range of qualifications, including other Level 3 QCF Level 3 qualifications, Scottish qualifications, the Irish Leaving Certificate, Access Diplomas and foundation courses. Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
It is important to check whether the qualifications you are taking are suitable for your chosen degree. If you are uncertain whether your qualification meets our entry requirements, please contact us.
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year.
Selection process
Offers are made in terms of grades. We usually invite candidates for interview. We invite suitable candidates to visit the University to find out more about the programme and meet staff and students.
Tuition fees
UK/EU students
Tuition fees are currently set at £9,000 per year for UK/EU undergraduates starting in 2012.
The tuition charge will be accompanied by a generous financial support package, underlining our continued commitment to widening access for those students who come from low income households.
Overseas students
The fee for students classed as overseas for fees purposes is £15,160.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Professional Training Year Fees
Programmes marked with an asterisk (*) in the table above include a professional training year.
Currently fees of £1,050 (based on an inflation assumption of 2.5%) are charged for the Professional Training Year. Fees will not have to be paid up front for those students who decide to take up the Government’s loan for higher education fees. The Professional Training year is a key factor in the high employability rates achieved by students with Surrey degrees.
Our degrees
We offer you a stimulating and varied approach to the study of chemistry with a real focus on ‘hands-on’ practical work and research activity focused on applied chemistry. You will benefit greatly from studying one of our highly regarded degree programmes, success in which will lead to excellent employment prospects.
We nurture and encourage talented scientists by teaching the basic skills in chemistry and providing you with the freedom to translate your ideas into practice. You will benefit from our degrees if you are fascinated by science at the molecular level, curious about cutting-edge concepts, motivated by having in-built flexibility in your learning programme and stimulated by mixing with like-minded people.
We provide a range of programmes that are both intellectually challenging and enjoyable, positioned in this fast-moving area of science. Our modular degree programmes allow you the flexibility to study your own areas of interest or to specialise on one of our ‘niche’ programmes.
You will be encouraged to participate in genuine research activities and as a result develop a freethinking rationale. This approach resulted in one of our students winning the prestigious national Science, Engineering and Technology UK ‘Best Chemistry Student of the Year’ Award.
As a result of the salaried Professional Training year, you will become expert in problem solving and communication, be versatile and creative and have acquired management and leadership skills. Even if you do not follow a career in science, you will be highly sought-after in the industrial sector, government and education, as we are renowned for producing capable, independent and employable graduates.
Programme content
Programme overview
In each year you will study for the equivalent of 120 credits (approximately eight modules), with core Chemistry modules comprising five of the eight. The additional three modules provide you with choice and flexibility to study areas in which you are particularly interested.
The widest range of options is available on the Chemistry MChem or BSc programmes. If you are studying one of our specialist pathways, you will undertake specific modules in these areas.
In year 1 you will be given a broad base of knowledge and skills, providing an essential grounding in chemical theory and practical techniques in Analytical, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry.
During year 2 you will explore chemistry in greater depth and will apply theories to more complex scenarios such as group problem solving and research collaboration. Equally, you will continue to hone your practical skills in the laboratory with a specific focus placed on preparing for your Professional Training year. You will undertake key skills modules that will support you on this placement and in your future employment.
In year 3 the core taught modules you will study vary depending on your specialist pathway. The largest single component of the year is the research project, carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff, when you will work alongside PhD students and post-doctoral researchers and explore a research area in which you are especially interested.
Programme structure
Year 1 (FHEQ Level 4)
Core Chemistry modules include:
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- Introduction to Physical Chemistry
- Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
- Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
- Transferable and Quantitative Skills 1
- Transferable and Quantitative Skills 2
Optional modules include:
- Fundamentals of Forensic Science
- Chemistry of the Environment
- Industrial Chemistry
Year 2 (FHEQ Level 5)
Core Chemistry modules include:
- Intermediate Organic Chemistry
- Intermediate Physical Chemistry
- Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
- Intermediate Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- World of Work
Optional modules include:
- Computer Modelling of Drugs and Biomolecules
- Forensic Chemistry**
- Chemistry and Technology of Modern Materials
- Medicinal Chemistry I
- Pharmacology I*
Professional Training year
- Research Training Experience (optional for BSc students)
Distance learning modules (MChem only) include:
- Spectroscopic Analysis of Organic Compounds
- Physical Chemistry
- Structure and Spectroscopy in Inorganic Chemistry
- Professional and Industrial Skills for Career Development
Year 3 (FHEQ Level 6)
- Research Project
Core BSc modules include:
- Topics in Organic Chemistry
- Topics in Physical Chemistry
- Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Optional modules include:
- Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- Inorganic Materials and Nanochemistry
- Polymer Materials and Nanochemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry II*
- Topics in Forensic Science**
- Topics in Computer-aided Drug Design
Core MChem modules include:
- Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry
- Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry
- Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Optional modules include:
- Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- Advanced Inorganic Materials and Nanochemistry
- Advanced Polymer Materials and Nanotechnology
- Advanced Medicinal Chemistry*
- Advanced Computer-aided Drug Design
- Advanced Methods in Forensic Investigation
*Compulsory for Medicinal Chemistry students
**Compulsory for Forensic Investigation students
Professional training
Our programmes provide you with the opportunity to undertake a salaried Professional Training placement with an industrial leader in the UK or overseas. We place great emphasis on ensuring that you have a successful placement that will involve a high level of personal responsibility.
The placements are usually research-based, allowing you to extend and enhance your practical abilities and sharpen your leadership, communication and teamwork skills. All this enables you to relate chemical knowledge to the solution of real problems. In the increasingly competitive world of graduate employment, research shows that companies are more likely to consider applicants who have had previous professional experience. Employers may sponsor the final year of your study and many offer our students employment upon graduation.
Companies that participate in our scheme include: BP, British Geological Survey, De La Rue International Ltd, Dow Analytical Technology (New Zealand), Grace Davison (Germany), GlaxoSmithKline, Procter and Gamble, RJ Hill Laboratories (New Zealand) and 3M.
Career opportunities
Graduate prospects
Graduates over the last few years entered employment in roles such as:
- GlaxoSmithKline – Quality Assurance Scientist
- Oxis Energy – Research Scientist
- EDF Energy – Graduate Trainee
- LGC Forensics – Forensic Scientist
- Novartis – Scientific Associate
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies – Electrophysiologist
- Royal Society of Chemistry – Assistant Editor
Career opportunities
Over the last decade our employment figures have been amongst the best in the UK, with impressive salaries being paid. We place 70–80 per cent of our graduates into graduate-level jobs, compared with the national average of 66 per cent. While many of you will enter the chemical industry, as positions often follow naturally from successful professional training, others will continue studying (MSc or PhD). Our graduates are very successful, not only in the industrial sector but also in finance, government and education.
Additional information
Teaching
On our programmes you will experience a variety of teaching methods including project-based laboratory work, tutorials, problem-solving classes and assessed coursework, alongside lectures and seminars. The Transferrable and Quantitative Skills modules develop oral presentation, graphic presentation, teamwork and leadership skills.
Each week you will spend up to 24 hours in lectures, practical classes and tutorials. This will provide you with the opportunity to explore topics in small group tutorials and utilise computer-assisted learning packages to enrich your understanding. Personal study time is primarily taken up with coursework and practical assignments.
Facilities
The laboratories in which you will undertake practical work have recently been refurbished with modern equipment. Our commitment to the development of your practical skills means that you will spend a great deal of time utilising these facilities. For your research project in year 3, you will work within our research laboratories alongside active researchers.
Assessment
Modules are assessed by written examination, coursework or a combination of both. Year 1 marks do not count towards the final degree classification but they do determine whether you are able to proceed to year 2. You are required to achieve 60 per cent on assessments in years 1 and 2 to continue on the MChem programmes. Students achieving less than this will continue their studies on the BSc programme.
Marks towards the final degree classification of our MChem programmes are accrued from year 2 assessment (25 per cent), Professional Training year assessment (35 per cent) and year 3 assessment (40 per cent).
Marks towards the final degree classification of our BSc programmes are accrued from year 2 assessment (35 per cent) and year 3 assessment (65 per cent). A Professional Training year may be taken in the BSc programme, but this does not contribute to the degree classification.
Academic Support
You will be allocated a personal tutor to guide you through the programme and to advise on option and career choices, helping you get the most from your studies. You will also be paired with a student from the year of study above you. They will provide a peer-based form of support, advising on options and study skills, allowing you to benefit from their recent experience on the programme.
Why Surrey?
Chemistry degrees 2013 at Surrey
- The Complete University Guide 2013 ranks Surrey twelfth for its chemistry programmes. Both The Times Good University Guide 2013 and The Guardian University Guide 2013 also rank Surrey in the top twenty
- Outstanding graduate employment prospects
- Dedicated approach to teaching and developing practical laboratory skills
- A pioneering Professional Training year with many international opportunities including New Zealand, the USA and Canada
- State-of-the-art teaching laboratories, including a new inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer
- Modern and relevant modular degree programmes with a wide variety of optional modules
- A vibrant and socially active student Chemistry Society (ChemSoc)
- More than 60 per cent of our research staff rated internationally excellent or world-leading in the latest Research Assessment Exercise
- Participation in leading research activities including fuel cell, smart materials and nanotechnology research
I find the lecturers are all friendly and approachable, so if you ever have a question you only have to ask.
Gillian Lord
MChem Chemistry with Forensic Investigation Level M
When visiting Surrey, I immediately liked the campus and felt I could easily live here. The Chemistry Department at Surrey has a good reputation, offering a wide range of courses, each with the opportunity to take a Professional Training year to enhance the degree programme. The fact that this year could be taken abroad in countries within Europe or Australasia appealed to me greatly.
There is a good balance of theoretical study and practical work; you are able to gain valuable skills and learn new techniques within the laboratory. Within my niche course, interesting cases and chemistry are explored; also the first-year practical exam is rather fun – getting to act as a ‘real’ CSI, investigating crimes around campus! I would definitely recommend Surrey as a good place for chemistry, especially if you would like to have a more ‘personal’ approach to your study.
During my Professional Training year I worked at an analytical testing laboratory in New Zealand. I thoroughly enjoyed the work experience and all the opportunities I had through living there. Over the year I developed valuable skills within the laboratory, working with analytical instruments, and improved my presentation skills and self-confidence in all respects – professionally and personally. The placement provided me with the enthusiasm for studying in the area of analytical chemistry and beneficial skills for graduation and further employment.
My initial plans after graduation are to continue my studies through a post-doctorate in analytical chemistry, followed by work within this industry. I also wish to return to New Zealand!
Studying Chemistry at the University of Surrey has been a fascinating experience because of its relevance to every aspect of day-to-day life and its crucial importance to society.
Sushma Acharya
PhD in Chemistry
There were many reasons why I chose to come to Surrey. The top reasons were the course, beautiful campus, location, friendliness of the University and, most importantly, the option to do a placement year.
Surrey provided a comfortable learning environment which enabled me to develop new skills. The Library here offers a wide range of services and the support from the Students’ Union made learning a lot less stressful.
For my industrial placement I worked in the department of refining technologies at Grace Davison in Worms, Germany. My main project was to develop and improve the impregnation method which gives egg shell distribution of metals like an equilibrium catalyst to obtain activity and selectivity close to the equilibrium catalyst.
I gained valuable skills and insight through my year at Grace. Working in a team environment to develop new and innovative methods for impregnating the catalysts with V and Ni metals for better simulation of catalysts made me creative and pragmatic in problem solving.
Living in a different country enabled me to develop strong interpersonal skills. I took German classes which opened the opportunity to meet many people. I really enjoyed the classes and within a few weeks I had a good understanding of the language and was encouraged to speak German at work, which helped me a lot in terms of my progress.
Studying Chemistry at the University of Surrey has been a fascinating experience because of its relevance to every aspect of day-to-day life and its crucial importance to society.
Professional recognition
Our MChem degree programmes are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and BSc degrees are recognised by the RSC, with the exception of the MChem Chemistry with Forensic Investigation which is currently pending confirmation. Graduation leads to Chartered Chemist status (CCHEM) with an MChem degree and admission to the Associate Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC) professional grade with a BSc degree. The Chemistry with Forensic Investigation programme has also been accepted into corporate membership of the Forensic Science Society.
Chemistry students
A short film portraying student thoughts on studying Chemistry at the University of Surrey
Chemistry laboratory
One of the laboratories used by our undergraduate students.