Chemistry

Chemistry is a wide-ranging science concerned with matter at the atomic and molecular scale. Important facets are synthesis, structure, microscopic mechanisms, properties, analysis and transformations of all types of materials.

Chemists are a constant source of innovation: it is hard to imagine any product introduced in recent times that did not require the creative efforts of a chemist. Chemistry underpins the conceptual framework and methodology of biochemistry and molecular medicine and is at the heart of many major industries.

A good Chemistry degree opens the door to an extensive choice of careers.

Teaching and research are closely linked: Oxford is one of the leading chemistry departments in the world with a state-of-the-art lab, and international level research in a broad range of areas including: synthesis and catalysis, medicinal and biological chemistry, sustainable energy, advanced materials, innovative measurement and theoretical and computational chemistry. A new teaching lab is under construction and expected to be completed in 2018. The department has an outstanding track record in commercialising the innovative work of research staff, which has raised millions of pounds for the University.

The MChem is a four-year course, and is not modular, enabling us to explore the links within the subject. The core material is taken by all students, with opportunities to specialise later in the course. The fourth year (Part II) is devoted exclusively to research – a distinctive feature of Chemistry at Oxford since 1916.

Chemistry Careers

Chemistry provides an excellent opportunity for the development of your critical faculties and intellect, and also instils important transferable skills that will serve you well, whatever your subsequent choice of career. About 55% of our Chemistry graduates go on to do research or further study. Others enter professions such as publishing and marketing, banking and finance, manufacturing, IT, law and teaching.

Long term, more than half our graduates remain in posts related to Chemistry in some way. 

A typical weekly timetable (years 1–3)

There are three terms in the Oxford academic year, each eight weeks long. Students usually arrive a week early in the first term of their first year for welcome and induction activities. 

• About ten lectures, at 9am and 10am
• One or two tutorials in your college with set work to be completed in your own time
• Two afternoons of laboratory work (11am to 5pm)
• A problems class, eg a mathematics class in the first year.

The course is challenging but there is plenty of time for extra-curricular pursuits.

Part II (year 4)

Part II (the fourth year) involves full-time work with an established research group.  Devoting the fourth year exclusively to research has been a distinctive feature of Chemistry at Oxford since 1916 and this will give you research skills that are highly valued by both academics and employers. This final research year of the Chemistry course has three extended terms of 12 to 13 weeks (instead of the normal 8 weeks) and is 38 weeks in total. 

Work placements/international opportunities

Part II (the fourth year) involves full-time work with an established research group. There is the possibility of a few students spending time at laboratories in industry or at universities abroad. Many students find work placements during vacations – the Careers Service helps with this – and there are some opportunities within the department.

• Attestat o Srednam Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) would not be sufficient for candidates to make a competitive application. If your qualification is listed as being insufficient to make a competitive application to Oxford, then you will need to undertake further study if you wish to apply.You could take British A-levels (the British Council may know where you can take A-levels in your country), the International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other qualifications listed as acceptable on this page. The first year of a bachelor's degree from another university could also be an acceptable alternative.
• IELTS: overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components)
• TOEFL (paper-based): overall score of 600 with a Test of Written English score of 5.5
• TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 110 with component scores of at least: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
• Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
• English Language GCSE, or O-level: grade B (for IGCSE, please see below)
• International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL): score of 5 in English (as Language A or B)
• European Baccalaureate: score of 70% in English.

Hill Foundation Scholarship

Russian nationals wishing to study for a second undergraduate degree. 

Palgrave Brown Scholarship

Students must be ordinarily resident in and/or educated in the following countries:

Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Estonia; Georgia; Hungary; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Rep.; Latvia; Lithuania; Macedonia;  Moldova; Montenegro; Poland; Romania; Russia; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan.