Chemistry A Level

Last year, 92 BHASVIC students went onto study Chemistry related degrees at 38 different universities. 

Our science students can choose to study Chemistry or a combined science degree such as Natural Sciences, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering.  

Popular universities for our chemists included Imperial, Kings’ College London, Nottingham, Bristol and Liverpool. In addition, students go onto study Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oxford and Natural Sciences at Cambridge. 

Should I study Chemistry at degree level? 

Chemistry graduates work in chemical, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. Their problem-solving skills are useful for many other areas, too, such as law and finance. You will have about 20 hours of teaching each week, mainly lectures, but also tutorials and laboratory experiments. Modules might include Solid state chemistry, Shapes, properties and reactions of molecules, Organic and biological chemistry, The global Earth system, Mineralogy and petralogy. Contact time is higher studying science degrees due to lab work. 

Types of Chemistry degree 

You can choose to study Chemistry or a closely related subject, for example 

You can choose to study straight chemistry or a closely related subject, for example: 

• Biomedical sciences 

• Biochemistry 

• Studying Medicine requires Chemistry A-level 

Entry Requirements 

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required Chemistry. It may be useful to have Biology or Mathematics depending on the degree choice. 

Top Universities for Chemistry 

Oxford (Chemistry and Biochemistry), Cambridge (Natural Science), Durham, Imperial, St Andrews 
York, Warwick, Manchester, Nottingham Trent – all very high student satisfaction scores 
Liverpool, UEA, Queens, Belfast - all with top graduate prospects 

Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included: 

• Chemistry with Study in Continental Europe 

• Chemistry with year-long industry experience 

• Chemistry with an International Study Year 

• Chemistry for Drug Discovery 

• Chemistry with Forensic Investigation 

Example entry requirements (please check): 

A-Level/BTEC equivalents:  

Imperial College/A*AA 
University of East Anglia/BBB 
University of Brighton/BCC 

Why not try a foundation degree or higher apprenticeship? 
For example: Liverpool (with Foundation Year) CCC or Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship - Glaxo Smithcline 

Some examples of Chemistry-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are: 

• Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) 

• Biochemistry with a Modern Language 

• Biomedical Engineering 

• Biomedical Science 

• Chemical Engineering (International Study) (4 years) 

• Chemical and Nuclear Engineering 

• Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry 

• Chemistry for Drug Discovery 

• Chemistry with a Year in Industry/Research (MChem) 

• Chemistry with Biomedicine 

• Chemistry with Business Management 

• Chemistry with Industrial Experience 

• Chemistry with Research Abroad 

• Chemistry with Scientific Computing 

• Chemistry with Study in Continental Europe 

• Chemistry with year-long industry experience 

• Forensic Science with a Professional Placement 

• Medical Genetics 

• Natural Sciences (Study Abroad) 

• Natural Sciences with International Study 

How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible. 

Chemistry is a fundamental subject for careers in the science and health sectors including:  

• Healthcare scientist 

• Analytical chemist 

• Chemical Engineer 

• Toxicologist 

• Pharmacologist 

• Forensic Scientist 

• Scientific laboratory technician 

• Environmental consultant 

• Higher education lecturer 

• Management consultant 

• Nuclear engineer 

• Patent attorney 

• Science writer 

• Secondary school teacher 

Career Prospects 

The number of students taking chemistry courses hasn't changed much in the last ten years, even as numbers in most other subjects have risen, and it's felt the UK has a shortage of chemistry grads overall.  

But many industries, from the food industry to teaching, need chemistry students, and they're also prized by business and finance employers for their research and data handling skills – anywhere there is research and data to be explained, you can find chemistry grads. Opportunities also lie in the pharmaceutical industry (one of the key employers for chemists. 

Local Market Information 

STEAM 
Coast to Capital have contributed £8million to the newly opened Engineering and Digital Technology Park at the University of Chichester. This has created a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) facility for Engineering and Creative and Digital Technology degree students which has the backing of over 40 industry organisations. 

Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include: 

• Team Administrator NHS Foundation Trust  

• Quality Control Technician - Beauty Products  

• Fast Stream - Science & Engineering Civil Service  

How BHASVIC helps: We have an excellent Careers Hub and careers advisors who are available for appointments through student services. Local jobs are advertised and they will advise on skills and specialist areas such as degree apprenticeships. Students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of careers & apprenticeship visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in around the subject area. 

You will gain many transferable skills studying Chemistry that will be valued in the workplace including:  

Teamwork, IT & Technology, Problem solving, Social Skills, Organisation, Numeracy, Communication, Attention to detail, Creative thinking, Analytics, Project Management  

Local Skills 

The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors: 

• Construction 

• Creative & Cultural 

• Digital (includes IT and Technology)  

• Engineering & Manufacturing 

• Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)  

• Visitor & Hospitality  

• Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)  

• Green Skills 

Degree choices that match the Local Skills agenda for Healthcare and Engineering include: 

• Biochemistry with Industrial Placement 

• Biomedical Science 

• Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry 

• Pharmacy 

• Chemical and Nuclear Engineering 

Career choices that match the Local Skills agenda for Healthcare and Engineering include: 

• Pharmacist 

• Lab Technician 

• Forensic Scientist 

• Chemical Engineer 

• Analytical Chemist 

How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area. 

Last year, 78 BHASVIC students went onto study Engineering related degrees at 32 different universities.  

Engineering degrees come in a wide variety of choice and cross all science subjects. Interesting choices for students last year were Flood and Coastal Engineering and Renewable Energy Engineering. In addition, we had students go onto study Architecture and related construction degrees. 

Popular universities included Bristol, Loughborough, Swansea and Bath. In addition, students went onto study Engineering at Imperial in London and Cambridge.  

Should I study Engineering at degree level? 

There are a wide range of engineering options that students can choose between. Options include foundation and placement years, and industrial experience. You will have about 20 hours of teaching each week, mainly lectures, but also tutorials and laboratory experiments. Contact time is higher studying science degrees due to lab work. Modules might include Thermofluids, Engineering concepts, Materials and manufacture, Dynamics and control, Systems modelling. 

Types of Engineering degree 

There are a huge range of interesting engineering options including: 

• Mechanical 

• Electrical 

• Software 

• Civil 

• Aerospace 

• Automotive 

• Architectural 

• Robotics 

• Biochemical 

and many more. 

Entry Requirements 

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required a mix of Sciences, Computing and Maths. It is wort exploring degree entry requirements of thinking of taking a particular route. 

Top Universities for Engineering 

Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, Durham 
Cardiff, Bristol UWE, Liverpool John Moores – all very high student satisfaction scores 
London South Bank, Bournemouth, Exeter- all with top graduate prospects 

Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included: 

• Architectural Engineering (Year in Industry) 

• Aerospace Engineering 

• Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with a Year in Industry 

• Product Design Engineering with Foundation Year  

Example entry requirements (please check): 

A-Level/BTEC equivalents:  

Exeter/AAB 
UEA/BBB 
York/BBC 

Why not try a foundation degree or higher apprenticeship? 
For example: Engineering Degree Apprentice Siemens 

Some examples of Engineering-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are: 

• Aeronautics and Astronautics 

• Aerospace Engineering 

• Aeronautical Engineering 

• Aeronautics and Astronautics 

• Aeronautics and Astronautics / Spacecraft Engineering 

• Architectural Engineering 

• Architecture and Environmental Engineering 

• Automotive Engineering 

• Architectural Engineering 

• Architectural Engineering (Year in Industry) 

• Biomedical Engineering 

• Chemical Engineering 

• Chemical and Nuclear Engineering 

• Civil Engineering 

• Civil Engineering (Year in Industry) 

• Design Engineering 

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Innovation 

• Electronic and Information Engineering 

• Electronic Engineering with Artificial Intelligence 

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Robotics 

• Electronic and Computer Engineering 

• Engineering Mathematics 

• Engineering Geology and Geotechnics 

• Flood and Coastal Engineering 

• General Engineering 

• Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry 

• Mechanical Engineering with Robotics 

• Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics 

• Mechanical Engineering / Naval Engineering with Industrial Placement Year 

• Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering with a Year in Industry 

• Robotics Engineering  

• Renewable Energy Engineering 

How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible. 

Engineers use their analytical skills and aptitude working with ground-breaking technologies to enhance people's lives. 

• Building services engineer 

• Energy Engineer 

• Network Engineer 

• Environmental consultant 

• Sustainability consultant 

• Broadcast engineer 

• Electrical engineer 

• Electronics engineer 

• Project manager 

• Product/process development scientist 

Career Prospects 

Engineers are in demand across multiple industries, particularly in the oil industry, and in the car industry, in design and manufacturing. Jobs are all around the country, with Scotland and the Southeast the most likely places for a new mechanical engineer to find work.  

An engineering degree will help you gain specific technical training, knowledge of issues and the ability to plan, prioritise and solve problems under pressure and to deadlines. These skills are in demand from employers in the oil and gas industry, aerospace, car industry, electricity generators and suppliers, technical consultancy, defence and the Armed Forces. 

Local Market Information 

Network Rail 
Network Rail are taking applications for their apprenticeship scheme production. 50% are based in London and the Southeast, many of which work on a freelance basis. 

Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include: 

• Field Engineer UK Govt 

• Unified Communications Technician Apprentice 

• UK Government Degree Apprenticeship in Electronic Engineering 

How BHASVIC helps: We have an excellent Careers Hub and careers advisors who are available for appointments through student services. Local jobs are advertised and they will advise on skills and specialist areas such as degree apprenticeships. Students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of careers & apprenticeship visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in around the subject area. 

You will gain many transferable skills if you go onto study Engineering that will be valued in the workplace including:  

Teamwork, IT & Technology, Problem solving, Social Skills, Organisation, Numeracy, Communication, Attention to detail, Creative thinking, Analytics, Project Management  

Local Skills 

The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors: 

• Construction 

• Creative & Cultural 

• Digital (includes IT and Technology)  

• Engineering & Manufacturing 

• Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)  

• Visitor & Hospitality  

• Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)  

• Green Skills 

Degree choices that match the Local Skills agenda for Engineering include: 

• Aeronautics and Astronautics / Spacecraft Engineering 

• Automotive Engineering 

• Biomedical Engineering 

• Flood and Coastal Engineering 

• Renewable Energy Engineering 

Career choices that match the Local Skills agenda for Engineering include: 

• Design Engineer 

• Maintenance Engineer 

• Project Engineer  

• Quality Engineer 

• Civil Engineer 

How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area. 

Last year, 109 BHASVIC students went onto study Medical Careers related degrees at 41 different universities.  

Courses were varied and included Veterinary Physiotherapy, Diagnostic Radiography, Medicinal Chemistry, Optometry, Podiatry as well as Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Science. 

In addition, 5 students went onto study Veterinary Scienc, e, including 2 students at Cambridge, and 18 students went onto study Medicine, 1 student at Imperial. 

Popular universities included Bristol, Bristol UWE, Royal Veterinary College, Brighton, Nottingham and Southampton. 

Should I study a Medical Career at degree level? 

Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry are highly competitive but there are a huge range of related degrees that are healthcare related. There is a huge range of healthcare degrees  Nursing and specialism e.g. Adult, Midwifery, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and many more. 

Entry Requirements 

Medicine is highly competitive – 3 A grades at A level but there may be other pathways. Our BHASVIC MedSoc which students can sign up for on enrolment gives lots of information. 

Other healthcare degrees ask for a range of A levels and grades and there may well be opportunities for foundation years to build up scientific skills. 

Top Universities for Maths 

Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow, Swansea, UCL 
Queen Mary’s, Newcastle, Bristol, Sheffield – all very high student satisfaction scores 
Aberdeen, Exeter, BSMS, Cardiff - all with 100% top graduate prospects 

Many of our students choose a Medical Career degree - applications from our students have included: 

• Diagnostic Radiography 

• Pharmacy with Integrated Foundation Year 

• Adult Nursing 

• Midwifery 

• Physiotherapy 

Example entry requirements (please check): 

A-Level/BTEC equivalents:  

Aberdeen (Medicine)/A*AA 
Bath (Pharmacy)/BBC 
Liverpool (Nursing)/BBB 
Middlesex (Veterinary Nursing with Foundation Year)/DD 

Some examples of Healthcare-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are: 

• Adult Nursing 

• Applied Medical Sciences 

• Adult Nursing (September) with Foundation Year 

• Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Clinical) 

• Animal Science 

• Applied Anatomy 

• Biological Sciences (Neuroscience) 

• Biomedical Science 

• Bioveterinary Sciences 

• Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry 

• Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry 

• Chemistry with Medicinal Sciences 

• Children's Nursing 

• Dental Nursing 

• Diagnostic Radiography 

• Diagnostic Radiography with Foundation Year 

• Extended Medical Degree Programme 

• Exercise, Nutrition and Health 

• Gateway to Medicine 

• Health and Exercise Science 

• Health Professions (Foundation Year) 

• Health, Nutrition and Exercise Science 

• Human Biology (with placement year) 

• Master of Nursing (Adult and Mental Health Dual Registration) 

• Medical Neuroscience 

• Medicinal Chemistry with Pharmacology with a Year Abroad 

• Medical Sciences 

• Medicinal Chemistry 

• Medicine 

• Medicine and Surgery 

• Mental Health Nursing 

• Midwifery: Registered Midwife 

• Neuroscience 

• Nursing (Adult) 

• Nursing (Child) 

• Nursing (Mental Health) 

• Nutritional Sciences 

• Occupational Therapy 

• Optometry 

• Oral and Dental Health Sciences (Dental Hygiene and Therapy) 

• Osteopathy 

• Paramedic Science 

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry 

• Pharmacy 

• Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics 

• Physiological Science 

• Physiotherapy 

• Physics with Medical Applications 

• Physiotherapy with Integrated Masters 

• Podiatry 

• Sexual Health 

• Speech and Language Therapy 

• Veterinary Nursing 

• Veterinary Gateway Programme 

• Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour 

• Veterinary Physiotherapy (with Placement) 

How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible. 

We have a dedicated tutorial pathway for Medicine, Vet Med and Dentistry to prepare for Early Applications and MedSoc for all enrichment activities. Students have a chance to sign up at enrolment but can sign up anytime through their first year. 

Medical-related studies are vocational, developing practical and clinical capabilities, as well as the professional and personal attributes necessary to follow chosen careersCivil Service  

There are over 60 specialist areas of medicine; information on each can be found at NHS Health Careers 

• Anaesthetist 

• Healthcare scientist, genomics 

• International aid/development worker 

• Medicinal chemist 

• Mental health nurse 

• Neurologist 

• Research scientist (life sciences) 

• Science writer 

Career Prospects 

If you choose to go onto medicine and healthcare there are lots of different specialties to choose from. 

Nursing is the subject with the most degree graduates. We'll always need nurses in this country, so it's no surprise to see that the very large majority of nursing graduates go on to become nurses, and that starting salaries are pretty competitive. There are lots of different specialties to choose from (including midwifery), and the most common by far is adult nursing, but the typical end result for graduates is the same – they go on to become nurses (or midwives).  

Local Market Information 

It is worth checking out the NHS Healthcare Apprenticeship route. This could be a good way to going into a Healthcare-related career without needing to go down the degree route. Severe shortages across many NHS sectors mean that Healthcare professionals are highly sought after. 

Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include: 

• Team Administrator NHS Foundation Trust 

• Paediatric Occupational Therapist 

• Study for a Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support 

How BHASVIC helps: We have an excellent Careers Hub and careers advisors who are available for appointments through student services. Local jobs are advertised and they will advise on skills and specialist areas such as degree apprenticeships. Students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of careers & apprenticeship visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in around the subject area. 

You will gain many transferable skills studying Medical careers that will be valued in the workplace including:  

Teamwork, IT & Technology, Problem solving, Social Skills, Organisation, Numeracy, Communication, Attention to detail, Creative thinking, Analytics, Project Management  

Local Skills 

The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors: 

• Construction 

• Creative & Cultural 

• Digital (includes IT and Technology)  

• Engineering & Manufacturing 

• Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)  

• Visitor & Hospitality  

• Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)  

• Green Skills 

Degree choices our BHASVIC students went onto study that match the Local Skills agenda for Healthcare include: 

• Adult Nursing 

• Counselling and Mental Health 

• Exercise, Nutrition and Health 

• Medicine 

• Pharmacy 

• Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences 

Careers our BHASVIC students went onto study that match the Local Skills agenda for Healthcare include: 

• Optometry 

• Osteopathy 

• Paramedic Science 

• Physiotherapy 

• Sport Rehabilitation 

How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area.