Chemistry University of Reading

Overview

This Chemistry degree course delivered by the University of Reading provides solid training in chemistry and equips you with key transferable skills.

Key facts

You will spend your first two years learning the core subjects that all chemists need to know. Topics include trends in the periodic table, carbonyl group chemistry and chemical kinetics. You will be taught by internationally leading experts through a combination of lectures, lab classes, workshops and tutorials. 93% of our students said teaching staff have supported their learning well (National Student Survey 2025, 93.3% of responders from the Department of Chemistry).

In your final year you will study more advanced topics influenced by the cutting-edge chemistry taking place around you. The Department's staff specialise in a number of areas including analytical chemistry, synthesis, polymers and advanced materials, surface science and computational drug design, providing a wide range of options for your final year research project. You will also have the opportunity to participate in academic research. and can work alongside our world-class researchers.

Additionally, if you are interested in teaching as a career, we offer a school-based project in your final year. Students spend one day a week for two terms working alongside both teachers and pupils on an individual project. This project gives you the necessary experience for teacher training applications and helps develop your professional skills for careers which involve working with people.

We have excellent relationships with companies such as AstraZeneca, BP, Cytec, DuPont, GSK, Henkel, Johnson Matthey, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Syngenta and Unilever. Overall, 97% of graduates from Chemistry are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2025, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23, includes all Chemistry responders).