Five reasons to study chemistry at Surrey
What makes our chemistry degrees different and what’s the secret behind our graduates’ success? Here we reveal five reasons why you should choose the University of Surrey for your chemistry degree.
Students working in one of our modern refurbished chemistry labs.
1. Supportive learning environment
Studying chemistry at Surrey puts you at the heart of a small, friendly community with one of the best staff-student ratios at any UK university. The high level of personal, academic and professional support we offer is one reason our chemistry degrees are ranked in the top 20 by the Complete University Guide 2024 and the Guardian University Guide 2024. We are also ranked 15th in the UK for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2025.
As part of our "learning by doing" approach, our final year chemistry students also gain invaluable hands-on experience working on our award-winning chemical pilot plant. The plant mirrors real-life industry operations and helps develop crucial team-work, problem solving and decision making skills.
*Measured by % positivity across all questions for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide League Tables.
2. Teaching inspired by research
You’ll learn about cutting-edge topics in chemistry – like energy storage materials and fuel cells, forensic investigation and advances in medicinal chemistry – from academics who are leading the way in these fields. You can also choose from a broad range of optional modules, tailoring your course to your individual interests.
Find out more about our exciting chemistry research being carried out by our academics.
3. Chance to gain a masters qualification
You can choose to take our BSc course, either four years with a professional placement or three years without, or our four-year MChem. On the MChem programme you'll spend a year doing research with an industry partner and return to Surrey for a final year of masters-level modules - meaning that you leave with a masters qualification. Depending on your progress, you may be able to switch between a BSc and MChem during your course.
4. Fantastic work placement opportunities
You can lean on the support of our renowned, award winning Professional Training placement programme which helps you to get a year’s valuable work experience with a company like:
- AkzoNobel
- AstraZeneca
- AWE
- British Geological Survey
- Cefas
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Intrinsiq Materials
- LGC
- PerkinElmer
- RB.
Read about chemistry student Talha's placement year with ISIS Neutron and Muon Source.
5. Great job prospects
Studying chemistry at Surrey opens up a huge range of career opportunities, not only in the industrial sector but also in finance, government and education. According to Graduate Outcomes 2024, HESA, 95 per cent of our undergraduates are in work or further education.*
**UK domiciled graduates of full-time, undergraduate qualifications, in full-time employment, from higher education institutions
Discover our courses in chemistry.
