Chemistry (Study Abroad)

BSc Hons

  • UCAS code F1T6
  • Entry year 2026
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 10

    10th for Chemistry

    The Guardian University Guide (2025)

  • 15

    15th for Joint place for student satisfaction

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • 18

    18th for teaching quality

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2025)

Chemists, with their ability to analyse and problem-solve have played a big part in shaping our world. Our teaching is research-led, so you will learn at the forefront of the subject, tackling genuine, cutting-edge scientific work. Solve contemporary problems with our leading academics and work in outstanding purpose-built laboratories to set yourself up for a career in a wide range of industries.

Broaden your horizons

Enrich your university experience with a year spent overseas at one of our partner universities. Head out in Year 3 to start your adventure and immerse yourself in a different cultural and academic community. We’ll support you all the way!

The Chemistry logic

Our world-leading staff teach chemistry in logical stages, in an approach that integrates the topics of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Research conducted by our academics continually shapes the content that they teach, so you’ll never be far from their findings. Part of the Department’s ethos is for all to act as sustainable chemists.

What to expect

With our four-year BSc Hons Chemistry (Study Abroad) degree there’s an expansive introduction to the subject in Year 1, covering the fundamentals of atoms and molecules; organic and inorganic reactions; chemical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. You will build on these topics during the rest of your degree while also developing an understanding of other areas of chemistry.

Year 2 brings you topics such spectroscopy and electrochemistry as well as more advanced areas such as d-block metal chemistry, materials chemistry and quantum mechanics.

Year 4 offers you more flexibility and an exciting opportunity to undertake a major research project alongside our academics, postdoctoral staff and postgraduate students. These projects are directly connected to contemporary research questions that our academics are tackling and give you research experience that will be invaluable in your future career.

You may wish to transfer to one of our MChem programmes should you perform to a sufficiently high standard in your first two years.

Personal development

There will be lots of moments of discovery throughout your degree, whether that's working out the product of an unfamiliar chemical reaction or bringing out your passion for the environment by learning about cutting-edge sustainable chemistry. These small achievements add up to a wealth of transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, data analysis, problem solving, teamwork and time management, all of which make you stand out to future employers.

We hope you find your year overseas personally enriching. Our students often tell us that they return feeling more confident, self-assured and with a broader perspective to take into job interviews.

3 things our chemistry students want you to know:

  • We’re part of a close-knit community of students and staff. Small group teaching means a strong support network and a very productive learning environment

  • We develop our practical skills in outstanding, research-grade labs. These have been created specifically for chemistry, and to deliver the project work in our third and fourth years
  • There's so much support in the Chemistry Department from academics, lab technicians and teaching office staff. If you need help with your studies, you're encouraged to ask questions in workshops and tutorials. Alternatively, you can contact your lecturers outside of teaching sessions

Careers

The study of chemistry is essential to so many of our basic human needs, from creating safe food and water, synthesising materials for clothing and shelter, manufacturing life-saving medication, and getting us from A to B. The world needs chemists! As a chemistry graduate, you’ll develop an understanding of the world around you which opens up the door to many career opportunities in the field of chemistry and beyond. You can take the knowledge gained from the modules you’ve studied and pursue a career in areas such as pharmaceuticals, product development, postgraduate medicine, energy and the environment, or even continue in academia. Chemistry graduates are also in demand in non-scientific roles for their ability to understand complex problems, their mathematical capabilities, project management skills and awareness of ethical issues and environmental impact. Our graduates are well-paid too, with the median starting salary from our Chemistry degrees being £25,750 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).

Here are just some of the roles that our BSc and MChem Chemistry students have progressed into upon graduating:

  • Research Scientist - Croda International
  • Forensic Laboratory Scientist – Cellmark Forensic Services
  • Compliance Specialist – Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Plating Engineer – TT Electronics Plc
  • Laboratory Analyst – AstraZeneca
  • Analytical Chemist – Central Science Laboratory
  • Science Teacher – Cheshire City Council
  • Medical Laboratory Assistant – NHS
  • Analytical Support Technician – Lancaster University
  • Formulating Scientist – Unilever
  • Quality Technologist – Royal Sanders (UK) Ltd
  • Project Coordinator – Alderley Analytical

Our Chemistry BSc, Chemistry MChem and Chemistry MChem (Study Aboard) degrees are fully accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, and as a Chemistry graduate, you are eligible for Associate Membership (AMRSC), from where you can work towards the Chartered Chemist status (CChem), a recognised professional qualification that shows exceptional commitment to your chosen profession.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. You may need to have qualifications in relevant subjects. In some cases we may also ask you to attend an interview or submit a portfolio. You must also meet our English language requirements.

Find more about these qualifications and others not shown here

Learn about how we will assess your application

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Contact Admissions

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will get back to you.

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Enhancing our curriculum

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future.

We will publish more detailed information about the structure of this degree course for 2026-entry in June 2025, ahead of our summer undergraduate open days. This will include overviews of the core modules you will take and examples of optional modules which may be available to you.

Fees and funding

We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

Details of our scholarships and bursaries for students starting in 2026 are not yet available.

You can use our scholarships for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2026/2027 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

Undergraduate open days 2025

Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.

Undergraduate Open Days
two students sitting and reading on some outdoor steps
  • Virtual tour

    Take five minutes and let us show you what Lancaster has to offer, from our beautiful green campus to our colleges, teaching and sports facilities.

  • Accommodation guide

    Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • The city and beyond

    Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the picturesque Lake District.