# Undergraduate degrees in chemistry

**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/subject-explorer/

[See how to apply](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/) [Sign up for updates](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/email-updates/)

## Why study chemistry at York?

We're a friendly and supportive department with an outstanding reputation for teaching and research in chemistry. Our staff continually push the boundaries of knowledge. Their advanced research informs what you learn.

Our undergraduate courses span the breadth of chemical sciences, with the ability for you to choose to tailor your studies with our option modules if you have already developed an interest in a specific area. Our excellent study and teaching facilities will provide you with the experience and skills to help you excel in your chosen career.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7DBkfHIW0s>

## Our courses

All of our courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Our teaching covers biological, inorganic, physical and organic chemistry, green and sustainable chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and materials chemistry.

Chemistry courses

- [Chemistry (BSc)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/bsc-chemistry/)
- [Chemistry with a year abroad (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-year-abroad/)
- [Chemistry with a year in industry (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-industry/)
- [Chemistry with a year in York (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-york/)

Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry courses

- [Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (BSc)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/bsc-chemistry-biological-medicinal/)
- [Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry with a year abroad (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-biological-medicinal-year-abroad/)
- [Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry with a year in industry (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-biological-medicinal-industry/)
- [Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry with a year in York (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-biological-medicinal-york/)

Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes courses

- [Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes (BSc)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/bsc-chemistry-green-principles/)
- [Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes with a year abroad (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-green-principles-year-abroad/)
- [Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes with a year in industry (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-green-principles-industry/)
- [Chemistry, Green Principles and Sustainable Processes with a year in York (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-green-principles-york/)

Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment courses

- [Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment (BSc)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/bsc-chemistry-atmosphere-environment/)
- [Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment with a year abroad (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-atmosphere-environment-year-abroad/)
- [Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment with a year in industry (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-atmosphere-environment-industry/)
- [Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment with a year in York (MChem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mchem-chemistry-atmosphere-environment-york/)

or [search all undergraduate courses](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/all/)

## Course options

We offer three-year BSc courses and four-year MChem integrated Masters courses. Students who take the more in-depth MChem courses may be aiming for a scientific research career. Our MChem courses all include a final-year project, which may be completed in a research laboratory in York, or in a research laboratory in a partner institution in another country, or as part of an industrial placement.

- [Placement year](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/year-in-industry/)

Our student exchanges give you the opportunity to spend an academic year in a range of countries. The exact programme undertaken will vary according to which overseas university you attend, but all involve a research project.

- [Study abroad](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/study-abroad/global-opportunities/)

If you're studying at a university outside the UK, you may be able to spend up to a year in York as a visiting student.

- [Chemistry modules for visiting students](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/applying/visiting-students/courses/chemistry/)

The Department of Chemistry also contributes to the following undergraduate courses:

- [Biochemistry (BSc)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/bsc-biochemistry/)
- [Biochemistry (MBiochem)](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mbiochem-biochemistry/)

## Scholarships and funding

Find out about scholarships and studentships that are available to students in the Department of Chemistry.

- [Undergraduate funding](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/funding/)

[6th in the UK for Chemistry](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/about/news/2024/cug-2025-rankings-by-subject-chemistry/)

in the 2026 Complete University Guide.

[4th in the UK for Chemistry](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/about/equality-diversity/)

in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

[Athena Swan Gold Award](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/about/equality-diversity/)

for our commitment to women in science, making us the longest-held recipient of the Gold award on record.

## Visit days

Our visit days are a great opportunity to get to know the department. Whether you're coming for a pre-offer or post-offer visit, we'll be there to answer your questions and show you around our facilities.

[Meet us](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/visit-days/)

## Meet our inspiring staff

Discover research lectures from academic staff across the Department.

[Watch our talks](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/meet-our-staff/)

## Our facilities

We offer an impressive range of modern teaching labs and research equipment which provide a hands-on experience and help prepare you for your career. They're looked after by our talented and dedicated team of technicians.

[Discover our facilities](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/about/facilities/)

## Careers

[Find your career advantage](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/careers/): Turn ambition into achievement with our expert guidance and connections. From your first day here to life after graduation, we’ll help you succeed.

Our degree courses are designed to give you a thorough grounding in all aspects of modern chemistry. Although the majority of our graduates progress to become scientists, the analytical and transferable skills which constitute part of our degrees are recognised as suitable training for a wide range of careers.

[Learn more about careers and employability](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/careers/)

## Student and graduate stories

Hear what our students and graduates have to say about studying with us.

> Industrial placements are helpful in so many ways. Want to do a PhD? Great, you’ll gain crucial experience which is highly valued in academia. Already know what industry you want to go into? Even better, you’ll gain direct experience and may even get offered a job after your placement!

Ben, MChem Chemistry. [Read Ben's blog post](https://blogs.york.ac.uk/student-voices/2024/02/09/my-experience-applying-for-an-industrial-placement/).

> I chose York because of the friendly and caring atmosphere of the department, and the amazing labs. The lecturers are really passionate about what they teach and they’re always willing to help.

Chiara, MChem Chemistry. [Read Chiara's blog post](https://blogs.york.ac.uk/student-voices/2021/06/14/things-to-look-forward-to-about-chemistry-at-york/).

[Read more stories](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/student-stories/)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDsJ8yrPEk4>

## Free online courses

Get a taste of studying chemistry with our online course. You'll study topics including searching for new antibiotics, how to make the most delicious coffee and designing performance-enhancing sportswear.

- [Exploring everyday chemistry](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/moocs/exploring-everyday-chemistry/)

Explore what higher education is all about. Get tips for making the most of your university life.

- [Next steps to university](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/moocs/next-steps-university/)

## Next steps

Visit us

[Learn more](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/visit-days/)

Applications

[How to apply](https://www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying/)

Scholarships

[Find funding](https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/study/undergraduate/funding/)