BSc (Honours)/MChem Chemistry

Year of Entry 2025/26
Students in lab coats preparing experiments

BSc (Honours)/MSci

Chemistry

Develop your understanding of chemical concepts through practical laboratory sessions, gaining hands-on experience of cutting-edge analytical instrumentation and modern synthesis methods.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: See fees section below
    International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year)

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    3 / 4 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Bookmark

    What are the entry requirements?

    112-120 UCAS points

  • Checkmark

    What is the UCAS code?

    F100

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2025

  • Avatar

    Placement year available?

    Yes


Course summary

  • Acquire core chemistry concepts and apply them to real-world scenarios, mirroring the demands of post-graduate careers.
  • Get hands-on experience with our extensive range of industry-standard scientific instruments. 
  • Build your skills and use them to problem solve current issues like climate change and infectious disease.
  • Gain invaluable experience by undertaking an optional placement year in a real-world industrial setting.

Chemistry is not only the study of matter but also the study of change – a discipline that permeates everything around us. Chemistry is known as the ‘central science’, so a solid understanding in chemistry allows you to work in lots of other areas of science such as biology, pharmaceuticals, materials and environmental science. 

You’ll gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to actively participate in thrilling scientific developments that leave a lasting impact on all aspects of life.

Accredited by
  • Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

The BSc (Hons) Chemistry is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.



Teaching quality

93% of students on this course were satisfied with teaching quality in the 2024 National Student Survey.

How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive. 

At Sheffield Hallam, we embrace the practicality of chemistry. There's no substitute for experiencing it firsthand, and that's precisely what your course will offer – a hands-on approach both in and out of the classroom, with a combination of practical work and real-world work placement opportunities. 

Our academic staff are internationally-renowned researchers but are also enthusiastic about supporting the training and advancement of young scientists. By the time you graduate, you’ll be a skilled and independent scientist, ready to make a difference in the world.

You learn through: 

  • In-person teaching in face-to-face workshops and tutorials
  • Practical hands-on laboratory experience 
  • Industry-standard facilities and equipment
  • Online videos, interactive materials and practice quizzes
  • Small group teaching sessions
  • Online support tutorials
  • An optional industrial placement year
  • Capstone independent research project

Throughout your studies, you will be assessed on various skills, including problem-solving, explaining scientific concepts using appropriate terminology, professional communication of science through written reports, presentations, and viva voce examinations, data analysis and interpretation, and reflection on your learning via portfolios.

Key themes

Our curriculum emphasises contemporary challenges, focusing on problem-solving and transferable skills that enable you to tackle pressing issues like climate change and infectious disease.

You’ll begin your journey with us by learning core concepts and building your problem-solving and communication skills. You’ll then apply your understanding to real-world laboratory-based scenarios – ultimately completing independent laboratory projects where you plan, conduct and analyse the results of your experiments.  

In semester 2 of your third year, you’ll conduct an extended independent research project, working on a real problem in modern chemistry, supervised by one of our experts. You’re also able to choose a module based on your preferred area of study. All the options are highly applied and interdisciplinary, exploring the boundaries between chemistry and other areas of science – as well as the impact chemistry can have on the future of our planet.

Course support

All of our chemistry degrees are designed and led by research-active staff. As you progress, we’ll gradually develop your independence, encouraging you to tackle complex problems with confidence.

By the time you complete the programme, you'll emerge as a proficient and autonomous scientist, equipped to make a significant impact on the world. These problem-solving and transferable skills will enable you to address pressing issues, contributing to meaningful change in society.

Course leaders and tutors

Daniel Allwood
Daniel Allwood
Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry

I joined Sheffield Hallam University from the University of Cambridge, where I undertook a PhD (2008-2012) and post-doctoral research (2012-2015) with Professor Stev … Read more

Applied learning

Field trips

You’ll get to experience residential field trips during your course. Both chemists and biologists will help to teach and learn from one another on these trips, discovering how different disciplines influence one another. You’ll learn practical skills which demonstrate how chemistry is not only conducted in the laboratory, but also out in the field. 

You’ll tackle environmental concerns like pollution and exploring the connections between chemistry and sustainability. You’ll venture beyond classrooms to scenic UK landscapes.

Experiential learning

Experiential Learning will allow you to grasp core chemistry concepts and apply them to real-world problem-solving scenarios, including those resembling post-graduate careers such as a medicinal chemist or environmental scientist. Your course will provide you with hands-on experience using a wide range of scientific instruments, such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, Infra-Red spectroscopy, and Mass Spectrometry.

Work placements 

You’ll have the opportunity to complete a year-long placement between your second and third year. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

You can access various support activities, resources, employer events and opportunities from your Careers & Employability Team to ensure you make the most of your work experience opportunities during your degree. 

Well-known organisations students have worked with in the past include: 

  • Airbus
  • AstraZeneca
  • GSK
  • Pfizer
  • Tata Steel
  • Molson Coors
  • Sheffield Assay Office
  • Cyprotex

Networking opportunities

Each year students have the opportunity to showcase their project work to our School of Biosciences and Chemistry – and in the final year at a national chemistry conference. These are great opportunities to gain invaluable skills in presenting to the scientific community.   

Representatives and staff from Sheffield Hallam’s Chemistry Society (ChemSoc) sit on the committee for the local section of the Royal Society of Chemistry – so they will keep you up to date with the latest local and national chemistry events.

Throughout the Professional Skills for Scientists modules, we’ll support you to build, reflect on and evidence your skillsets to potential employers. The second-year modules in particular focus on helping you to secure a placement year if you choose to do one.

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Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in: 

  • Scientific research
  • Chemical analysis
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Scientific instrumentation
  • Materials
  • Chemical manufacturing
  • Petrochemicals
  • Flavours and fragrances
  • Quality control
  • Recycling and waste processing
  • Scientific sales
  • Healthcare science
  • Scientific marketing
  • Scientific recruitment
  • Scientific communication
  • Academia
  • Science education  

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:  

  • AstraZeneca
  • GSK
  • Unilever
  • Johnson-Matthey
  • Dr Reddy’s
  • Reckitt
  • Agilent
  • Infineum
  • Lubrizol
  • Waters
  • The NHS

As well as a range of UK and international universities, a range of public and state schools.

Student View

Watch student Joe Anslow describe his experience on placement at Tata Steel.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Learn more about your department

Biosciences and Chemistry Facilities Tour

Take a look around the biosciences and chemistry facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with senior lecturer and recruitment lead Dr Susan Campbell.

Department page

Equipment and facilities

The School of Biosciences and Chemistry features state-of-the-art chemistry laboratories and facilities, which you will be supported to get hands-on experience with throughout your degree. You’ll benefit from:

  • Modern, industry-standard laboratory spaces 
  • Our Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging 
  • Our Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre 
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy 
  • Mass Spectrometry 
  • Infra-red spectroscopy 
  • High Performance Liquid Chromatography 
  • Gas Chromatography 
  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy 
  • Atomic Emission Spectroscopy 
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy 
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry 
  • Computational chemistry facilities

360 tour - biosciences and chemistry facilities

Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

  • 112-120

From A levels including 32 points in Chemistry or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (including suitable Chemistry modules). We do not accept General Studies. We will consider a combination of qualification types. For example:

  • DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science with relevant chemistry modules (please include units on application).
  • BTEC Diploma in Applied Science D*D with relevant chemistry modules alongside other level 3 study.
  • Merit overall including a grade B from the Core,- T level Science: Laboratory Technician Pathway ONLY
  • A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels or EPQ.

GCSE

  • English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*.
  • Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a relevant QAA-recognised Access to HE course which has mainly chemistry related modules, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.

* GCSE English and mathematics equivalent.

• Equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk.

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions or disabilities you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the course requirements and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) and explore any issues you may have.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Applied Topics In Chemistry
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Core Concepts In Chemistry
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Practical(50%)
Demonstrating Professional Skills For Scientists
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Introducing Professional Skills For Scientists
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Principles Of Chemical Analysis
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Applications Of Analytical Science
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Applying Professional Skills For Scientists
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Developing Professional Skills For Scientists
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
 Inorganic, Physical And Materials Chemistry
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Practical(50%)
Organic And Biosynthetic Chemistry
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Year 3

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Placement Year For Biosciences And Chemistry
Credits -
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Chemical Synthesis
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Advanced Professional Skills For Scientists
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Chemistry For Future Global Challenges
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Research Project
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(80%) , Practical(20%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Advanced Analytical Science
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Applications Of Data Science
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Medicinal Chemistry And Drug Discovery
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2025/26 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

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Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Biosciences and Chemistry (PDF, 133.1KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

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Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more
 

How do I apply?

Apply now via UCAS

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

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