Chemistry with year-long industry experience
University of Southampton
Chemistry with year-long industry experience
Course Summary
Gain a career advantage by spending a year in industry as part of your chemistry degree.
On your 12-month placement you’ll work on a research project in an industrial setting. Host organisations range from small high-tech enterprises and national research facilities, to global companies such as Johnson Matthey, Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Proctor & Gamble. Many industry placements are paid.
Your placement takes place in year four, when you’ll have completed three years of chemistry training and an independent research project. This will give you a competitive edge when securing your placement, and the confidence to get the most out of the experience.
It’s an excellent opportunity to put your chemistry knowledge into practice in a commercial setting, gain invaluable professional skills and show future employers what you can do – indeed, some of our students are recruited by their host company.
At Southampton you’ll study in recently refurbished labs at a Russell Group university where trailblazing research feeds into your degree. Our commitment to your education is demonstrated in the Guardian University Guide 2022; Chemistry at Southampton placed 1st in the Russell Group for satisfaction with teaching and satisfaction with course.
**Supporting your studies**
You’ll be part of a supportive Chemistry community, with a personal academic tutor to provide any extra help you need, both academically and personally. During the first two years we limit small group tutorials to a maximum of five students, so you’ll have plenty of time and attention from your tutors.
Between classes, the Chemistry department will be your ‘home’ on campus – a place to grab a coffee in the common room, catch up with friends and talk to staff.
CV and interview skills workshops will help you secure your placement, and you’ll have regular catch-ups with a dedicated supervisor during your placement year.
**Outstanding undergraduate laboratories**
Take advantage of our recently refurbished labs, which opened in 2019 as part of a £12m investment in Chemistry’s facilities. You’ll study in bright and spacious modern laboratories using new research-grade equipment such as NMR and IR spectrometers and X-ray diffractometers. There are also laptops for each student to record their lab work.
With full support and training, you’ll learn to make and analyse your own samples, using the same equipment that you’ll find in industry labs and the latest ‘green’ chemistry practices – all excellent preparation for your placement and future career.
**Learn about research as it happens**
Chemistry at Southampton is joint first in the UK for research intensity (Complete University Guide 2021), which means you’ll learn from staff who are involved in making new discoveries.
Our academics are advancing battery technology for cleaner energy, designing drugs for hard-to-treat cancers, and using digital modelling in the fight against COVID-19, to name just a few examples. They will share their passion for their specialist areas with you, bringing the most up-to-date knowledge to your seminars and lectures.
Course Details - Modules
Core modules in the first and second year are shared across most of our chemistry degrees. This makes it easy to transfer if you decide you’d like to join our MChem Chemistry or MChem with six-month placement degree. Depending on your optional module choices or level of maths study, there’s also the possibility of moving to one of our specialist MChem courses.
In years one and two you’ll gain a solid chemistry foundation for more in-depth study in your third and fourth year. You’ll learn the fundamentals of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, as well as practical lab techniques. In year one you’ll also take a mathematics module tailored to your previous maths experience.
You’ll be able to select optional modules in years two, three and four. These cover a wide range of topics, such as:
• environmental chemistry
• chemical biology
• programming
• medicinal chemistry
• artificial intelligence and machine learning in chemistry
• synthetic methods in organic chemistry
• energy applications in chemistry
• sustainable chemistry
• quantum mechanics in chemistry and spectroscopy
You can also choose modules from other disciplines such as oceanography, biology, physics or a language.
Alongside optional modules, core modules in year three will deepen your understanding of key areas of chemistry, and you will do an independent research project.
You’ll spend year four working on an assessed external research project at your placement company. You’ll complete the following two modules, plus one optional module, via distance learning:
• Chemical Enterprise and Professional Skills
• Advanced Chemistry
For a full list of modules, please visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/chemistry-with-yearlong-industry-experience-degree-mchem#modules.
Course Details – Assessment Method
To assist your learning the academic staff will provide an extensive programme of lectures, tutorials, problem workshops, and laboratory classes. They will provide learning support material and also informal assistance to guide your private study.
Your placement project will be supervised by a line-manager or academic supervisor employed by the organisation where you take up your placement and supported by ana member of staff from Southampton acting as an advisor. Additional assistance will be provided by our placements tutor.
You will be guided during the completion of your Southampton-based research project by a member of staff, with whom you will meet regularly to discuss the context, design, execution, interpretation, and presentation of your project work. Additional lectures that support your research training in aspects such as the assessment of risks and hazards, production of written reports, and oral presentations will be provided. Completion of the project will enable you to demonstrate your academic independence.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Chemistry, Royal Society of
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code: F102
Institution code: S27
Campus Name: Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Typical Offer: AAA including chemistry with a pass in the chemistry Practical or AAB including chemistry and one additional science subject with a pass in all science Practical components
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
AAB plus grade A in the EPQ, and including chemistry with a pass in the chemistry Practical or ABB plus grade A in the EPQ, and including chemistry and an additional science subject, with a pass in all science Practical components
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
AAB, including chemistry with a pass in the chemistry Practical or ABB, including chemistry and one additional science subject with a pass in all science Practical components
Accepted A-level science subjects include biology, human biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, psychology, geography and geology. General Studies, Critical Thinking and use of mathematics are excluded for entry. A pass in all science practical components is required where applicable.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).
Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
DD in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A in A-level Chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without additional A-levels. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Science Foundation Year
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in A-level chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical and A in an additional A-level subject.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without additional A-levels. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Science Foundation Year
DD in BTEC National Diploma plus grade A in A-level chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma without additional A-levels. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Science Foundation Year
Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 points at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in chemistry
or
Pass, with 34 points overall with 6,6,5 in three Higher Level subjects including chemistry and an additional science subject.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Accepted science subjects include biology, human biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, psychology, geography and geology.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including chemistry or H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including chemistry and an additional science subject
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Accepted science subjects include applied mathematics, biology, mathematics, physics and geography
D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus A in A-level chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical and A in an additional A-level subject.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma without additional A-levels. Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma should apply for the Science Foundation Year
D plus grades AA at A-level including chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
General Studies, Critical Thinking and use of mathematics are excluded for entry.
D plus grades AA at A-level including chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
General Studies, Critical Thinking and use of mathematics are excluded for entry.
AAA from three A-levels including chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical
or
AA from two A-levels including chemistry with a pass in chemistry Practical, and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
or
AAB including chemistry and one additional science subject, with a pass in all science practical components
or
AA from two A-levels including chemistry and one additional science subject, with a pass in all science practical components, and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Accepted A-level science subjects include biology, human biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, psychology, geography and geology. General Studies, Critical Thinking and use of mathematics are excluded for entry. A pass in all science practical components is required where applicable.
D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including chemistry or D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects including chemistry and an additional science subject
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Accepted science subjects include biology, mathematics, physics, psychology and geography.
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A-levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.
If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/undergraduate/courses/f102-mchem-chemistry-with-a-one-year-placement.page?#entry_requirements%0A____________________
Minimum Qualification Requirements
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | AdditionalDetails |
|---|
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Unistats information
Student satisfaction : 72%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 60%
Go onto work and study: 85%
Fees and funding
| Republic of Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| EU | 22760.0 | Year 1 |
| International | 22760.0 | Year 1 |
| England | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Wales | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
Additional Fee Information
Please note that the Fees shown are those charged for entry in September 2021. Fees for entry in September 2022 will be available at the end of August 2021. Please see our website for further details and updates : www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Provider information
Highfield
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ