Subject area: Chemistry

Introducing Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of atoms, molecules and ions, examining their:

• physical and chemical properties
• composition and structure
• role and uses in every aspect of our lives

Our programmes retain a broad perspective, preparing you for a range of potential careers in chemistry, or science more generally.

All our programmes include practical aspects to develop your analytical, problem-solving and numeracy skills. You will improve your communication and presentation skills through:

• small-group workshops
• tutorials with a high staff-to-student ratio
• presentations

This means you will develop the skills that are attractive to employers in many areas of industry and commerce.

Teaching

The School of Chemistry has an enthusiastic and committed staff team that provides a supportive learning environment.

All our programmes include:

• training
• practice
• feedback in communication skills
• team working
• exposure to the latest technology of scientific information retrieval and organisation

We carry out our teaching in a highly active research environment plus we have strong connections with both the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Research

Our chemistry courses include extensive experimental work, which is carried out in modern laboratories. The proportion of your time spent in the lab will increase as your programme progresses and will culminate in an extended research project in your final year.

EaStCHEM

Formed by the Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews in 2004 to combine the research activities of two of Scotland’s leading schools of chemistry, EaStCHEM now provides the largest chemistry research unit in the UK.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) EaStCHEM was one of only three chemistry units to achieve a 100% “world-leading” score for our research environment.

This result reflects our:

• provision of state-of-the-art facilities
• recruitment of high-quality academic, research and professional services staff
• collaboration across disciplines and with industry partners
• support for career development and nurturing of talent

REF 2021 also assessed >99% of our research outputs as either “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” and 100% of the economic, social and environmental benefit in our impact case studies to be “outstanding” or “very considerable”.

Student Support

You will have access to a Student Support Team throughout your studies to provide you with academic guidance and support.

Accreditation

All our chemistry programmes are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Our chemical physics programmes are also accredited by both the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics.

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of Chemistry and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.

Take a virtual tour of the School of Chemistry