Why should I study chemistry?

What is Chemistry?

Chemistry is one of the science trifectas, along with biology and physics. It is the study of the composition, properties, and reactivity of matter. Due to its nature as a study of matter, chemistry overlaps with other fields of science.

Three reasons to study Chemistry:

1. You might understand the working of the world a little better: questions such as “Why are plants green?”, “How is cheese made?”, “What’s soap and how does it clean my hands?” may be addressed in the course of your studies. Chemistry explains how things work and makes life a little less mysterious.
2. You become a better cook: by learning to understand chemical reactions involved in baking or thickening sauces, cooking might be the easiest thing to do. This is why chemistry is at the heart of cooking!
3. Many career options: there are many career paths you can choose after your studies in chemistry. Chemistry graduates find work in the food industry, in product development and safety, marketing and sales and also at patent offices.

How to study Chemistry?

Chemistry typically overlaps with other scientific disciplines. Common modules studied on a chemistry degree include organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical methods and maths in chemistry. At the undergraduate level, students often choose electives in their first year, which will inform their dissertation topic and possibly lead to further study. Specialisations may include biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, astrochemistry and nuclear chemistry.

Teaching is made up of lectures, tutorials and practical lab sessions, which cover organic and inorganic synthesis (the construction of compounds using the appropriate reaction pathways) and using analysis to work out an element or compound’s concentration.

Many universities offer students a three-year BSc (bachelor of science) degree or a four-year MChem/MSci degree (master of chemistry/science). Some courses give students the option to spend a year in industry, which includes an independent research project alongside full-time work.

What kind of jobs can I get by studying Chemistry?

Graduates with a degree in chemistry go on to pursue careers in scientific research. That may come in the form of various industries depending on what you focus on, for example, pharmaceuticals, or sustainability.

How can U-Multirank help me find the best Chemistry study programme for me?

If you’re considering pursuing a degree in chemistry, then let us help you find the best university for you. U-Multirank’s ‘For students’ track offers personalised university comparisons, so you can find the university that best matches you. U-Multirank’s subject rankings provide the feedback of more than 100,000 current students studying at the respective universities, offering a unique student perspective to the rankings via our Teaching & Learning dimension. Create your own personalised rankings today, and compare universities according to what matters most to you.  To start, make sure to select chemistry as your subject of interest and we’ll help guide you through the rest.