Department of Chemistry

Source: https://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/ Parent: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/

Frontier research, innovation, and education in the molecular sciences.

Study with us

Our courses in chemistry provide the opportunity for you to study the structure and reactivity of molecular systems as you explore new and impactful research.

You'll become a versatile chemist, ready to collaborate in various areas of science and technology.

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Find scholarships and funding

Research

Our research applies internationally leading expertise to find solutions to the key challenges faced by society.

A vibrant and collaborative research environment with themes and expertise spanning across many areas. These include chemical and structural biology, atmospheric science, catalysis, materials, sustainable and green chemistry, molecular measurement technologies and digital chemistry.

Explore our research

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We recognise the importance of equal participation, progression and success for all.

The Department of Chemistry strives to provide a working, learning, social and living environment that will enable all our staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish and to excel.\

We were the first department in the UK to receive the Athena Swan Gold award for our commitment to gender equality in higher education, making us the longest-held recipient of the Gold award on record.

Find out about our culture

We pride ourselves on being a department that achieves excellence in our research and our teaching, through outstanding people and great facilities. There is a strong sense of community among the staff and students, and we work hard to be inclusive and welcoming, ensuring that everyone can achieve their full potential.

Dr Derek Wann, Head of Department

We stand against bullying and discrimination. We’re dedicated to maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful community, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment. It’s a core value of our Department, and key to the way we work and support each other.

6th in the UK for Chemistry

in the Complete University Guide 2026.

9th in the UK for research

with the majority of our research and impact rated as world leading - according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

Athena Swan Gold Award

demonstrating our strong and longstanding commitment to gender equality.

4th in the UK for Chemistry

in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.

News

Masters Taster Day

17 March 2026

Joining us for the Masters Taster Day on 18 March? Here's all you need to know.

News

Chemistry and Photonics join forces! Calixarenes help power new photonic acetone gas sensors.

5 March 2026

Researchers from the School of Physics, Engineering, and Technology have joined forces with the Department of Chemistry to create a new type of environmental gas sensor.

News

Surface Tension and Surfactants. What’s Really Going On?

3 March 2026

For effective cleaning we add surfactants (in soaps and detergents) to lower the surface tension of water. Using a new theory, a York chemist can explain this effect more effectively, developing new insights, and hence understand why some surfactants are much better at this job than others.

News