Durham University - Undergraduate Pre-application Open Day
26 Jun 2026, 08:00
Durham
Course details
Chemistry is often called ‘the central science’ as knowledge of atoms and molecules is instrumental to understanding and interacting with the world around us.
When you choose to study for a four-year MChem degree you will join a dynamic and focused learning community that is home to multiple research institutes, a range of first-class facilities and experts with close links to industry.
Current developments in both research and industry are used to bring theoretical learning to life.
You will learn how chemistry is the central science with learning interfaces with biosciences, earth sciences, engineering, physics and astronomy.
Why Durham University?
The chemistry department at Durham is one of the leading departments in the UK.
Gain the theoretical knowledge you need while developing your practical skills at our thriving centre of teaching and world-leading research.
We have built a large network of national and international industrial partners involved in collaborative research through interactions at many levels with the Department and our BSc and MChem qualifications are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Rankings
3rd in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
5th in the Guardian University Guide 2026
5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026
Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026
Careers Opportunities
Graduates are ready to either move straight into employment in a wide range of industries or advance into further studies and scientific research.
Transferable skills include communication and presentation skills, logical thinking, report writing, problem solving, time management, data handling and analysis, teamwork and leadership, creativity, and instrumental and experimental skills.
Chemistry is also an excellent foundation for careers in areas such as business and finance, consultancy, journalism, information technology, teaching and more.
Recent employers of our graduates include GSK, Infineum, Procter & Gamble, BP and Akzo Nobel.
For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.
Assessment is mainly by end-of-year examinations and coursework including laboratory reports, and essays. In your final year, you will submit your research-led project report and deliver an oral presentation.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the course content, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world scenarios.
In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/
The following entry points are available for this course:
Discover what it's like to study Chemistry (Industrial) at Durham University: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
Specific subjects/grades required for entry:
Chemistry at grade A. Mathematics at grade A.
Specific subjects excluded for entry:
Critical Thinking and General Studies.
Information:
Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.
At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses.
Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.
Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database.
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/courses/f111/#entry-requirements-1237473
We will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If an applicant has not been able to take 3 Advanced Highers, offers may be made with a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or on a number of Highers. Subject specifics required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics.
We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Subject specific A-levels (or equivalent) also required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics both at grade A.
Subject specifics required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics.
666 at higher level including Chemistry and Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations).
Subject specific A-levels (or equivalent) also required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics both at grade A
Subject specifics required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics.
Subject specific A-levels (or equivalent) also required for entry: Chemistry and Mathematics both at grade A.
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AAB (or equivalent) which includes Mathematics and Chemistry both at grade A.
To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/ https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/
Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by visiting the link below under English Language requirements. You should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. For more information on pre-sessional courses please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/pre-sessional-english-language-required/https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Whilst many of our applicants exceed our entry requirements, we don’t make offers based only on who has the highest grades. We’ll look at your background, context and personal statement as well as your academic grades when we consider your application. We also make reduced grade contextual offers to many applicants and are sometimes able to accept applicants who narrowly miss their offer conditions.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU & International | TBC | |
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £10050* |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
The tuition fees shown for home students remain subject to parliamentary approval. They are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Durham University will charge home rate tuition up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for international and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of 6% or the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
As a student you may also get involved in optional activities which incur additional costs. To find out more visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/additional-charges/.
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