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MChem (Hons) Chemistry, the Atmosphere and the Environment (with a year in industry)

Learn how the natural environment functions to evaluate the impact of industry.​

Year of entry: 2025/26
Show year of entry: 2024

UCAS code

F144

Institution code

Y50

Length

4 years full-time

Typical offer

A*AA-AAB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2025 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£31,100 per year

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Human activity and nature both impact changes in our atmosphere and environment.

Environmental change raises important concerns over the future wellbeing of our planet. You'll learn about the chemical basis of the environment and understand how we impact it. Learn to design more sustainable chemical products and processes for the future. Become an adaptable chemist through research-led practical and classroom sessions. You'll graduate ready to work in a range of sectors that thrive on innovation including technology, medicine and research.

Accreditation

Royal Society of Chemistry

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, assuring the quality of our teaching. This course meets the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.

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Course highlights

  • Chemical evolution of the Earth
  • Chemical oceanography
  • Meteorology and climate change
  • Archaeological environments in the geological past
  • Atmospheric modelling and measuring techniques
  • Impact of air pollution on climate and human health

7th for Chemistry

in the 2025 Complete University Guide

Course content

Each year you'll take a range of core modules which balance a good understanding of the basic principles of chemistry with specialist modules which focus on atmospheric and environmental chemistry. There are plenty of opportunities to see the exciting contributions chemistry can make in the modern world.

We aim to break down the artificial barriers between different branches of chemistry, helping you to understand chemistry as a unified discipline with common underlying principles.

Our chemistry courses are designed to be flexible, so you can transfer between MChem and BSc courses at any time during the first two years. The title of your final degree will depend on the modules you take from Year 2 onwards.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Year 1

You will take a set of core modules, each of which integrates the major areas of Chemistry: organic, inorganic, physical, theoretical, analytical and biological.

You'll begin with themes of structure and bonding, and chemical change and reactivity, with practical courses complementing the lectures, and then take interdisciplinary modules that introduce key chemical principles in the areas of spectroscopic analysis, bonding and chemical change, and chemical reactivity and mechanisms.

You will carry out experiments in analytical and physical chemistry, and an integrated chemistry project as an introduction to research.

Core modules

You will study six core modules:

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

A significant proportion of your second year is made up of core Chemistry modules and practical work which is common to all our Chemistry courses. Your specialist module Dynamic Earth introduces the chemical foundations of a range of natural processes.

Core modules

You will study six core modules:

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 3

You will continue your studies through a series of core modules in advanced inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The specialist module Atmospheric Chemistry looks at the chemical and physical processes important in controlling the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere.

You will also take option modules, to complement your core learning or branch out into new areas of chemistry.

Core modules

You will study six core modules:

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 4

You'll spend your final year working on a research project with an industrial partner. Most placements are 12 months long and begin in the summer vacation between Year 3 and Year 4. You will have a personal supervisor at your host company, and regular contact with a supervisor at York.

There is also an element of 'distance learning' for the year, so you won't lose contact with the academic side of your course.

Core modules

You will carry out a research project focusing on atmospheric and environmental chemistry. Recent projects have investigated:

  • analytical methods for agricultural products (Defra Central Science Laboratory)
  • performance chemicals and plastics (Dow Chemical Company)
  • catalysts and lubricants (BP Castrol)
  • water additives (Chemtura)
  • aerospace and marine coatings (International Paints)

Before starting a placement that forms part of your course, you are likely to be asked by the placement provider to sign a confidentiality agreement. This is to ensure that you do not disclose any information that is confidential to the placement provider.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Demonstrate learning and problem solving skills through the acquisition and application of a broad range of fundamental chemical principles and knowledge
  • Apply fundamental and advanced chemical principles and knowledge to the in-depth study of chemical science specialisms, relating to atmospheric and environment-related chemistry and the solution of problems at the forefront of the subject
  • Design and safely conduct chemical experiments through an effective risk assessment. Accurately document and record experiments to enable the effective synthesis of complex chemical compounds and advanced analysis of physical measurements, of both a quantitative and qualitative nature
  • Interpret experimental data by using mathematical skills, advanced chemical knowledge, information technology and scientific conventions
    effectively articulate scientific principles, experimental results and research findings in a way that is accessible to a variety of audiences through written, oral and other formats
  • Independently plan, design and conduct an extended, open-ended investigative research project in an industrial environment to extend knowledge and understanding at the forefront of the chemical sciences in an area related to atmospheric or environment-related chemistry
  • Demonstrate employability skills such as teamworking, commercial awareness, self-management and creativity and be equipped to work in a professional manner in their future careers consistent with the expectations of a research chemist in academic, governmental or commercial positions.

Year in industry

Spend a year working on a research project with chemical companies based in the UK and abroad.

Flexible course structure

Tailor your course to your interests with our wide range of option modules.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £31,100

Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

Departmental funding

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Lectures

Lectures range from the traditional 'chalk and talk' to the use of digital presentations. Where possible we include demonstrations and encourage audience participation through chemical quizzes and voting. 

The size of lectures varies from 200 students to as few as five for some option modules. All teaching is done by our academic staff - many of whom are at the forefront of their fields and will discuss the latest developments in their area.

Tutorials

Tutorials are our smallest group teaching sessions and are usually one hour in length. Up to five students join a college tutor who is a specialist in the subject. Tutorials develop a wide range of skills including:

  • problem-solving
  • essay writing
  • presentation skills

Tutorials help to reinforce topics covered in lectures, and offer an opportunity to discuss aspects of the subject which interest you and ask about any problems encountered in your reading.

Workshops

Up to 25 chemists in the same teaching college are divided into small groups to work through problem sheets, usually over one or two hours. 

Laboratory work

Practical chemistry complements your theoretical studies and constitutes most of the continuously-assessed parts of your degree.

A wide variety of experiments are carried out, from the synthesis of target compounds to a crime-scene investigation using forensic methodology. You will gain experience in handling and interpreting experimental data, and discover how principles taught in lectures can be put to use.

As the course progresses, you have an increasing range of choice in the experiments you do. In the summer term of the first year you will do the 'Chemistry of a Night Out' practical where you will plan and carry out experiments as part of a team.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures9-10 hours per week
Tutorials1 hour per week
Workshops2-3 hours per week
Practicals6 hours per week

These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.

Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Chemistry on Campus West. Your teaching will mostly take place in the Department, with some classroom sessions elsewhere on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

You'll be assessed in a number of different ways, depending on the modules you study. Forms of assessment include:

  • examinations
  • practical work
  • assessed workshops
  • presentations

We pride ourselves on delivering useful written and verbal feedback to all of our students. Whenever you complete an assessment, you will receive feedback on its good and bad points, and guidance on how you can improve further.

You'll also receive feedback on assignments which don't count towards your final grade, helping you to understand your strengths and identify areas for improvement.

A Chemistry student in a laboratory using equipment
A student in discussion with a tutor

Careers and skills

Although the majority of our graduates progress to become scientists, the analytical and transferable skills which constitute part of our degrees are recognised as suitable training for a wide range of careers.

About 40 graduates per year stay in the Department or join other universities to work for higher degrees. Most are involved in collaborative research projects, many with chemical companies.

Career opportunities

  • Innovative medicines graduate
  • Fuels technology chemist
  • Production chemist engineer
  • Products research scientist
  • Business services graduate
  • Auditor
  • Patent attorney
  • Regulatory officer

Transferable skills

  • Team working
  • Self management
  • Application of IT and numeracy
  • Problem solving
  • Communication and literacy
  • Business and customer awareness

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels
  • AAB including A in Chemistry plus two other sciences/mathematics
  • AAA including A in Chemistry plus one other science/mathematics
  • A*AA including A in Chemistry

We accept the following science/mathematics subjects: Biology, Electronics, Environmental Science, Geology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics and Psychology.

Access to Higher Education Diploma 39 credits at Distinction including at least 15 in Chemistry-related units, 15 in a second Science (Biology, Mathematics or Physics) and 6 at Merit or higher.
BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD and an additional A level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry
Cambridge Pre-U D3, D3, M2 including D3 in Chemistry, plus two other sciences/mathematics or D3, D3, D3 including Chemistry and one other science/mathematics or D2, D3, D3 including Chemistry.
European Baccalaureate 80% overall, including a minimum grade of 85% in Chemistry
International Baccalaureate 35 points including grade 6 in both Chemistry and another science/mathematics at Higher Level, or 36 points including grade 6 in Chemistry at Higher Level and grade 6 in at least one other science/mathematics at Standard Level
T levels We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Chemistry has been taken.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Depending on your combination of qualifications Advanced Highers - A or B in Chemistry plus Scottish Highers - ABBB or BBBB

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers.
EPQ We recognise the value of this qualification although it will not be included as a condition of entry. It may be taken into consideration when you receive your results.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Duolingo Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
Skills for English B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III Merit in all components

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

We consider all applications on their own merits so the exact nature of offers can vary to match individual cases. For example, offers will be influenced by:

  • the content of your UCAS application and personal statement
  • any extenuating circumstances

If you're based in the UK we will require you to visit the Department before making you an offer.

Next steps

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Department of Chemistry

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