BSc (Hons) Chemistry with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- 8F10
- Typical Offer
- CCC.
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
From the materials we make to the medicines we take, chemistry shapes our relationship with the world around us. So understanding how chemicals interact at a molecular level is not only fascinating, but also of critical importance.
Chemistry at UEA has an excellent reputation. Our cutting-edge research in chemical sciences underpins our teaching – through lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practical laboratory sessions – ensuring that your learning is at the forefront of scientific thought.
If you’re interested in chemistry but don’t yet meet the academic requirements to enter a degree programme, Chemistry with a Foundation Year will give you the grounding and skills you need. And you’ll be assigned an adviser from the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology who will guide you throughout the year.
The Foundation Year of our innovative course will arm you with the skills you’ll need to progress onto our Chemistry degree. Designed to fill gaps in your knowledge, it will prepare you for life as a Chemistry undergraduate. You’ll cover core modules in chemistry and mathematics, as well as physics; with the possibility of studying a module in computing depending on your prior experience.
Complete the year successfully and you’ll be accepted onto our three-year Chemistry degree programme, which will give you a solid grounding in all aspects of chemistry. In years two and three, you’ll gain advanced knowledge of chemistry and develop your practical laboratory skills. Then in your final year, you’ll tailor your study to specialise in the areas that reflect your interests and career aspirations, and you’ll undertake an independent research project too.
If you’re curious about the world around you and fascinated by the way chemicals interact, this course is an ideal choice. It will give you a real understanding of chemistry’s impact on every aspect of our lives, from our health and wellbeing to the economy. And it will give you the opportunity to use your imagination to take your thinking to extremes, and then apply it.
After the Foundation Year, you could also elect to move onto our Master’s course. Making a choice between an MChem or BSc course can be difficult. If you are at all unsure which course is right for you then don’t worry: you will be given advice before you begin studying and while you’re a student here. Transferring between the two courses is straightforward during your first three years because of the common structure of our courses.
Study and Modules
Structure
This Foundation Year enables you to develop A-level equivalent knowledge of chemistry before you commence our full degree.
Throughout your degree, our modules will help you develop transferable skills in the areas of communication, team working and problem solving. Such skills are vital to professional scientists and prized by employers.
During your Foundation Year, you’ll study mandatory modules in chemistry and mathematics, as well as physics; with the possibility of a module in computing depending upon prior experience. You’ll be assigned an adviser from the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology who will guide you in your course choices and ensure that you’re progressing towards your degree course of choice.
You’ll gain credits for each of your Foundation Year modules, based on a mixture of coursework and examination results. If you achieve sufficient credits, you’ll be able to choose between the BSc Chemistry and MChem degree programmes, or transferring to a Natural Sciences course.
For the years of study beyond the Foundation Year, please see the full BSc Chemistry course.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 0)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 0)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Our teaching will combine lectures, small group seminars, workshops and practical laboratory sessions. Some of your lectures and practicals may take an active approach to learning, encouraging you to interact with your fellow students within the sessions.
Independent study
You’ll have plenty of opportunity for independent study throughout your degree programme as you complete coursework and prepare for exams. However, your final year research project will truly exemplify your independent work, allowing you to get to grips with an aspect of chemistry that really interests you.
Assessment
We employ a range of assessment methods across our modules, evenly balanced between examinations and coursework.
Our methods include literature reviews, exams, problem sheets, laboratory reports, and seminar presentations.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- CCC
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism.
- BTEC
- MMM
- Contextual Offer
A Level – CDD
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma – MMP
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Scottish Highers
- BBCCC
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- DDD
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 6 subjects at H4
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 28 points
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
- IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
- Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Track. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
We welcome applications from students with non-traditional academic backgrounds. If you have been out of study for the last three years and you do not have the entry grades for our three year degree, we will consider your educational and employment history, along with your personal statement and reference to gain a holistic view of your suitability for the course. You will still need to meet our GCSE English Language and Mathematics requirements.
Important note
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Once you successfully finish your Foundation Year, you’ll go straight onto one of the main degree programmes within the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
So, what are your career options after Chemistry?
A better question might be what career options are not open to you after chemistry, as you’ll see from the huge range of careers that our graduates have followed.
Our chemistry degrees provide the skills that employers are looking for – high level subject knowledge combined with problem solving, IT, analytical skills, instrumentation, time management, organisation, and team and individual work.
Many of our graduates secure positions in emerging chemistry industries, such as Iceni Diagnostics (a UEA spin off company developing lateral flow test technology, including for Covid-19), and leading pharmaceutical companies (Glaxo SmithKline, AkzoNobel or Sanofi), chemical and advanced technology companies (Johnson Matthey, Dell or British Airways) with roles in research, management, product development and quality control.
Others have used their chemistry degree to pursue more diverse career options. These range from further research degrees (MSc or PhD) towards academic positions, to teaching training (PGCE) to became schoolteachers, through to careers in publishing (RSC and Wiley editors), computing (ANDigital) and even banking (Barclays), insurance (Aviva), and almost everything in between.
At UEA, we have a great team to support graduates in securing excellent career starts through CareerCentral. In the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, our Director of Employability coordinates internal and external events and makes sure that all additional key skills training elements are present in our curriculum from year 1, allowing Chemistry graduates to present a highly competitive CV. The skills training is embedded within our modules, especially in year 4, but, in addition, all students benefit from chemistry careers drop-in sessions and 1-to-1 guidance, plus chemistry specific employers events and fairs.
We also encourage our students to participate in the UEA award, which is a certificate from the University, recognising a range of extracurricular activities that students can undertake while at university, to help them develop other skills to become highly employable.
To complement undergraduate studies, we offer a wide range of internships during the summer break (6-12 weeks) supported by the University and different funders, for students in their second and third year of their degrees. These provide additional opportunities to experience work and develop key skills in one of the many diverse research areas being pursued in the School of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
“My internship allowed me to work on a project consisting of in silico, analytical and wet lab components. I was able to develop my core laboratory skills, gaining proficiency with techniques such as gel electrophoresis and affinity chromatography, acquire expertise with advanced techniques such as EPR while also working with software such as Chimera, all as a real part of a team of scientists conducting cutting edge research. For those who are considering a career in research I would highly recommend opportunities which provide experience outside the controlled setting of undergraduate labs as they will prove invaluable to you and will help you stand out on your applications.” - Callum Eke, 2nd Year intern student, working on studying dynamic conformational change of membrane transporter proteins, with Dr Fraser MacMillan over the summer 2022, funded by a Wellcome Trust UEA Internship.”
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
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Research scientist
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Healthcare
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Government
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Data analyst
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Academic
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Teacher
Discover more on our Careers webpages.