School of Chemistry
Study
At Leicester, our teaching is powered by our world-leading research and is amongst the finest in the UK. We offer a range of courses that reflect the modern needs for chemistry in industry and society. You will learn to use the very latest research equipment and instruments for chemical analysis, and graduate with the breadth and depth of knowledge to be a professional chemist. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the transferable skill set that the Leicester degrees equip you with to seek employment in a variety of related professional disciplines. No matter where your interests lie, you will be taught by international experts.
- 9th in the UK for Chemistry (Guardian 2025)
- 5th in the UK for overall student positivity (NSS 2024)
- Top 10 Chemistry Department in 5 out of 7 National Student Survey themes (NSS 2023)
- 91% of students employed or in further education within 15 months of graduation (NSS 2024)
- 22nd in the UK for Chemistry research (Research Excellence Framework, REF 2021)
There are opportunities to incorporate a Year in Industry or Year Abroad into most of our degree courses.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to teaching and excellent student support. Studying Chemistry at Leicester will enhance your academic knowledge and problem-solving ability, develop your confidence and communication skills, and provide excellent career opportunities. Highlights of our student-centred approach here at Leicester include:
- A range of complementary teaching methods, from lectures to workshops and small-group tutorials.
- Dedicated, approachable personal tutors to advise on academic performance and assist with student welfare.
- Friendly staff who create a supportive learning environment.
- A range of cutting-edge option modules in sustainability, materials, synthetic methods, chemical biology, programming and nanotechnology.
- An excellent track record of students gaining industrial placements and experience.
The Chemistry Department - and the incredible people who make it what it is - are the reason I pursued research after completing my MChem. Thanks to the dedication of the lecturers, I explored a wide range of topics that helped me discover what I truly wanted to do. The School’s open-door policy and supportive environment gave me the freedom to ask, learn and grow. Over four years, I worked alongside researchers who introduced me to exciting new areas I hadn’t even known were possible, received an RSC bursary to spend a summer developing new skills, and gained the confidence and experience I needed to go on to a PhD. Most importantly, I found what I love and where I excel - while always feeling welcomed, supported and encouraged. The lectures were always dynamic and engaging, filled with questions and analogies that still stick with me today and help me recall the theory years later. After starting out with a very fixed idea of what 'Chemistry' is, I finished with a very different perspective.