BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry / Research Bachelor's degree at the University of Reading
BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry / Research at University of Reading covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills.
About this course
BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry / Research is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Reading. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Chemistry graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £29,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Medicine & Dentistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 65% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Mathematics for ChemistsCompulsory
Module details
Learn the mathematical tools that will underpin and support all years of your chemistry degree programme. You'll gain hands-on experience by practicing your new skills in the supportive environment of weekly workshops, and by using the additional online resources.
- Chemistry Practicals 1Compulsory
Module details
Develop your basic skills in practical chemistry and study the principles described in the accompanying first-year chemistry modules. You'll learn to use fundamental software packages that are required for chemical report writing.
- Fundamentals of Atomic Structure and the Periodic TableCompulsory
Module details
Understand the fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry by learning the core aspects of atomic structure, key bonding theories, and principles of solid-state chemistry. You'll also learn about trends in chemical and physical properties of elements, and key concepts of solution chemistry. You'll build a solid foundation of knowledge in core inorganic chemistry.
- Shape, Structure and Reactivity in Organic ChemistryCompulsory
Module details
Learn the basic concepts of organic chemistry, such as the structure of organic compounds and their isomerism, the concept of a functional group and their predictable reactivity, and the unifying concept of mechanisms. You'll build a foundation for studying organic chemistry in greater depth in later modules.
- Physical Processes and Molecular OrganisationCompulsory
Module details
Develop your knowledge of the fundamental principles of physical chemistry by studying core concepts of physical processes and molecular organisation. You'll learn the key concepts during lectures and develop your skills by applying knowledge during workshops.
- Cell and Molecular Principles of LifeCompulsory
Module details
Learn about the structure and organisation of cells, with a focus on the common features found in all life. You'll also discover how the differences between cells are essential for creating the diversity of life on the planet.
Year 2 5 modules
- Further Inorganic ChemistryCompulsory
Module details
Develop your understanding of key aspects of inorganic chemistry. You'll learn the core aspects of transition-metal chemistry and its application to properties of inorganic complexes. You'll also explore trends in inorganic and organometallic chemistry, and ideas and concepts of symmetry.
- Further Organic ChemistryCompulsory
Module details
Learn the chemistry necessary to make key bonds and structural motifs in some of the most important molecules that you encounter every day, including in medicines, household products and cosmetics. You'll learn the core concepts of organic chemistry and develop your ability to manipulate starting materials and make new C-C bonds.
- Further Physical ChemistryCompulsory
Module details
Develop your understanding of key aspects of physical chemistry related to equilibrium and molecular structure. You'll examine questions raised in tutorials and workshops, and analyse numerical problems on relevant material.
- Chemistry Practicals 2Compulsory
Module details
Apply and further develop the skills you acquired in the Part 1 practical module and consolidate your Part 2 learning. You'll learn new experimental techniques, develop your science writing and communication skills, and build a foundation for the research project that you will undertake in your final year.
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry 1Compulsory
Module details
Discover the concepts and general principles relating to chemical biology. You'll learn about bioinorganic chemistry, aspects of pharmacology, pharmacy practice related to drug discovery, drug design and metal-based diagnostic agents, and develop your knowledge of the drug discovery process.
Year 4 11 modules
- BSc Chemistry ProjectCompulsory
Module details
Gain experience of working on an extended project, as you research a topic using the tools of modern chemistry. You'll develop your academic skills in chemistry techniques, computation, independent thought and practice, and express those ideas in written and oral presentations.
- Chemistry Core 1 (Inorganic and Organic)Compulsory
Module details
Explore advanced topics in organic, coordination and organometallic chemistry, and build your knowledge to better understand the primary chemical literature.
- Chemistry Core 2 (Physical and Analytical)Compulsory
Module details
Develop your knowledge of both physical and analytical chemistry by studying the core topics in depth. You'll learn key concepts, explore your understanding in workshops and have the opportunity to gain skills by applying the knowledge you've acquired.
- Further Pharmaceutical ChemistryCompulsory
Module details
Learn the causes and pathology of several common diseases and understand the development of chemotherapeutic strategies to treat them. You'll gain an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of the subject by drawing on the relevant aspects of pharmacology and biochemistry.
- Further Cosmetic ScienceOptional
Module details
Deepen your understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the development and production of cosmetic products. You'll critically analyse a range of products available in the market today, gain insight into how colour is formulated in products, and discuss the practicalities of preservation. You'll also learn about the complex regulatory landscape surrounding cosmetic products.
- Chemistry in the Natural WorldOptional
Module details
Enhance your knowledge of chemical processes in the natural world and increase your awareness of contemporary environmental issues. You'll study key chemical reactions and examine the source, transport, and effect of pollutants on the environment and in living systems, as well as relevant mitigation measures, gaining valuable insight into the role of chemistry in nature and society.
- Polymers in Nature and IndustryOptional
Module details
Learn about bio- and man-made polymeric materials, their synthesis, biology and chemistry. You'll explore how amino acids and carbohydrates can be oligomerised to form a variety of materials with a myriad of functions. You'll also study the basics of synthesis, physical characterisation and functional applications of synthetic polymers.
- Solid State ChemistryOptional
Module details
Learn about important aspects of solid-state chemistry, including applications in energy and sensor technologies. You'll also learn how X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques are employed to determine the crystal structures of solids. You'll be engaged in learning through lectures, workshops, quizzes and hands-on experience.
- School Education ProjectOptional
Module details
Inspire the next generation of chemists whilst gaining teaching experience in a secondary school. Working as a mentor alongside specialist teachers, you will learn about the needs of individual pupils and staff responsibilities and have the opportunity to research, design, and implement a chemistry-based work project. Placement is subject to a selection process and DBS check
- Python, AI and Machine Learning for the Chemical SciencesOptional
Module details
Learn how to organize, analyse and process data using the python programming language and various AI and machine learning tools.
- Innovation and Product DevelopmentOptional
Module details
Explore how scientific ideas become real-world products, with a focus on medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics. You'll work in teams to develop a business plan for novel scientific and technical products, gaining skills in innovation, product development, and business strategy.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course integrates pharmaceutical chemistry with clinical and biomedical practice. You'll usually begin with biomedical sciences core material, anatomy, physiology and pathology taught by body system, alongside clinical and communication skills from early on. Population health and ethics form part of your foundation year. From year 3 onwards, you progress to clinical rotations in hospital and general practice settings, with specialty attachments such as paediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics. Student-selected components allow deep study in areas you choose, often involving research. Your dedicated year in industry or research provides hands-on experience in a professional setting. The course typically culminates in preparation for practice and professional registration.
Who it's for
Most accepted students hold A-levels or equivalent qualifications. Recent entrants typically had a UCAS tariff of 112–127 points. The course suits those interested in the chemistry and development of medicines, with the embedded industry or research year offering practical experience in a professional setting.
University & format
The BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Chemistry with a Year in Industry / Research is studied full-time at the University of Reading over 4 years, taught in English. The University of Reading, founded in 1892, is a recognised UK degree-awarding body. The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F109). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Reading →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Medicine & Dentistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £29,000 | £28,000 – £39,500 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £27,500 | £22,500 – £32,000 | 95 |
| 5 years after | £34,500 | £27,500 – £41,500 | 105 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally
National figures for Medicine & Dentistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Medicine & Dentistry courses at the same study level.
Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Customer service occupationsDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 40; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Medicine & Dentistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Private practice
- Research & academia
- Public health
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Medicine & Dentistry graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £29,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.9 out of 10: NSS 76.6% · in work or study 95% · continued 65%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Reading
Medicine and dentistry across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Reading
1,062 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Medicine & Dentistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Reading from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £31,800 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Reading’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Reading and gov.uk before you apply.
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How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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