Sometimes referred to as the 'central science', Chemistry helps to connect physical sciences, like Maths and Physics, with applied sciences, such as Biology, Medicine and Engineering. In fact, Chemistry is all around us and an understanding of the subject can help to answer many simple questions about everyday life!
Chemistry is one of the Russell Group universities' 'facilitating' subjects — so called because choosing them at A-level allows a wide range of options for degree study.
What will you study within A-level Chemistry?
Specific content covered within A-level Chemistry may vary from school to school, and depending on the exam board followed. Within the AQA specification, topics fall into three main categories: physical Chemistry, inorganic Chemistry and organic Chemistry. Specific areas of study may include aspects such as atomic structure, energetics, kinetics, oxidation, alkanes and alkenes, thermodynamics, polymers and amino acids, proteins and DNA.
What skills will you get from studying Chemistry?
As it is a science subject, the process of learning it helps a student to learn how to be objective, analytical, methodical, process and in turn solve problems. You can apply these skills outside academia, and the study of Chemistry can help understand current events including news about petrol, environmental issues, health and product scares and more.
What careers can the study of Chemistry lead to?
There are a wide range of Chemistry-related degrees available, including Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry and Polymer and Materials chemistry.
These degrees in turn can lead to a range of careers as varied as medicine, dentistry, forensic chemistry, geochemistry, R & D management, pharmacy, chemical engineering, petroleum engineering and perfumery.
Top 20 universities for Chemistry
(The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
| 1 | University of Cambridge |
| 2 | University of St Andrews |
| 3 | Imperial College London |
| 4 | University of Oxford |
| 5 | University of Edinburgh |
| 6 | University of Strathclyde |
| 7 | University of York |
| 8 | University of Warwick |
| 9 | University of Aberdeen |
| 10= | Durham University |
| 10= | Northumbria University |
| 12 | University of Bath |
| 13 | University of Bristol |
| 14 | University College London |
| 15 | University of Southampton |
| 16 | University of Birmingham |
| 17 | University of Surrey |
| 18 | University of Sheffield |
| 19 | University of Liverpool |
| 20 | University of Lincoln |
Below are real-life examples of what university degrees studying A-level Chemistry, in combination with other subjects, can lead to.
| Chemistry/ Biology/ Maths | Royal Veterinary College | Veterinary Medicine |
| Chemistry/ Maths/ Economics | Queen Mary, University of London | Economics |
| Chemistry/ Physics/ Biology/ Maths | Queen's University Belfast | Medicine |
| Chemistry/ Physics/ Maths | University of Birmingham | Chemistry |
| Chemistry/ Biology/ Maths | University of Bristol | Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
| Chemistry/ Physics/ Maths | UCL | Civil Engineering |
| Chemistry/ Maths/ Further Maths/ Physics | Imperial College London | Mechanical Engineering |
| Chemistry/ Physics/ Maths | University of Oxford | Engineering |
For more details on the Chemistry A-level and syllabus, take a look at our dedicated factsheet
