Learn how the natural environment functions and undertake independent research to evaluate the impact human activities.
Year of entry: 2021/22
F145
Y50
4 years full-time
Meet our undergraduate students and discover why the choice is York.
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Chemistry is often referred to as the 'central science' as it covers topics as diverse as quantum mechanics and the study of atomic particles, to the molecular nature of biological systems and the Human genome project.
Environmental change raises important concerns over the future well-being of our planet. Although it is apparent that some changes result at least in part from human activities, it is equally clear that natural variations also play a major role.
This course will give you the opportunity to learn about the chemical basis of the environment and to understand our impact upon it.
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.
My favourite thing this term has been the MChem Mini-Project, which is carried out in labs. We’re looking for ways to be greener and kind to our Earth and make our processes more sustainable, with the focus on food waste. My partner and I are currently finding what we can get out of pomegranates.Elspeth, 3rd Year student, MChem Chemistry. Read more on Elspeth's blog.
Spend a year working on a research project with one of our renowned research groups.
Tailor your course to your interests with our wide range of option modules.
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.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
You will take a set of core modules, each of which integrates the major areas of Chemistry: organic, inorganic, physical, theoretical, analytical and biological.
The Autumn term introduces themes of structure and bonding, and chemical change and reactivity, with practical courses complementing the lectures.
The Spring and Summer terms are divided into two 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 a two-week integrated chemistry project as an introduction to research.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
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.
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 choose two option modules, to complement your core learning or branch out into new areas of chemistry.
Choose one of the following option modules:
Choose one of the following option modules:
You'll spend your final year working on a research project in one of our laboratories. You will have access to the state-of-the-art instrumentation that our department has to offer.
You will carry out a research project with a focus on environmental and atmospheric chemistry. You'll learn principles and techniques of advanced chemistry which you'll be able to draw on in your future career. Recent projects have investigated:
Core 10: Advanced Chemistry is an open learning module exploring topics at the frontiers of science. The course material is based on cutting edge research carried out at York, and taught in collaboration with experts who are closely involved. (20 credits)
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
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.
I found the events run by ChemSoc, my course society, a really great place to bond with my fellow chemists. Having the connection to the other year groups meant there were always people to turn to for advice and help if we needed it. I found it really united us and gave me so much confidence!Giuseppina, 2nd Year student, MChem Chemistry. Read more on Giuseppina's blog.
The fees and funding figures below are for 2021/22 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £22,650 |
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
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.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2021/22 throughout the year.
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.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
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.
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 5 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 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:
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.
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.
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.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 9-10 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 1 hour per week |
| Workshops | 2-3 hours per week |
| Practicals | 6 hours per week |
These figures are based on an average student in an average 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, practise 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 term time. 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.
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.
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 campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You'll be assessed in a number of different ways, depending on the modules you study. Forms of assessment include:
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.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 70% | 70% | 67% | 8% |
| Coursework | 13% | 15% | 16% | 47% |
| Practical exams | 17% | 15% | 17% | 45% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
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.
York is a fantastic place to study chemistry and we consistently place highly in league tables.Josie, 2nd Year student, MChem Chemistry with a Year Abroad
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels |
We accept the following science/mathematics subjects: Biology, Electronics, Geology, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | You will need to make sure that the particular Access course you are considering is appropriate, and syllabuses must contain a significant portion of chemistry and mathematics. The Access tutors at your College would be able to confirm that this is the case. Applications will be considered on an individual basis. |
| 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 and two other sciences/mathematics or D3, D3, D3 including D3 in Chemistry and one other science/mathematics or D2, D3, D3 including D3 in 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 |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If you meet our criteria and successfully complete our Exploring Everyday Chemistry course, you may be eligible for a reduced offer. Find out more
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 three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: 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. |
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 | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
| Duolingo | 110 overall, with a minimum of 100 in each component |
For more information see our undergraduate 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.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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