School of Chemistry
Student Experience: Campus Study
Student experiences
Jennifer, MChem
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Chemistry student at the University of Leicester. I love that our lectures are scheduled early in the day, giving us time to study and socialise afterwards. I’ve had many conversations with friends who dread their evening lectures, and I’m grateful we’ve been spared that!
I also appreciate how interactive the teaching is, and how well the course content links together. In moments when confusion felt overwhelming, I was always met with patience and support from the lecturers. Even when my questions came in a flurry of emails, the staff took the time to answer every single one. Their open-door policy has truly fostered an environment where students feel safe bringing all their academic worries.
The department is friendly and has genuinely been my biggest cheerleader. If it weren’t for the encouragement of a select few, I may have never switched from a BSc to an integrated Masters. The staff care about more than just our studies, they care about us as people as well. I’ll never forget when a staff member came to support my choir at a performance, or when another let me sit and cry in their office as I grieved the loss of a friend. Those moments have stayed with me.
I really like the teaching here, as lecturers do not assume you know everything, They cover the foundations and then build up your knowledge. I didn't study A-level Maths at college, but with the guided teaching and range of exam practice and support available, I am now able to apply maths to problems in chemistry.
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.
Despite only being an undergraduate, the staff work hard to keep you informed on the vast amount of research taking place at the University. Right from the start you begin to realise the avenues that this degree can take you towards and it is very exciting. The possibility of having a career in important research or industry becomes very real. Practical work ranges from undertaking Nobel-prize winning organic reactions to studying the effects of medicines. Lectures are always engaging, and the constant network of support enables you to be the best version of yourself throughout your time here.
My time at the School of Chemistry has been incredibly rewarding. The supportive and passionate lecturers have allowed complex topics to be accessible and engaging, truly preparing me for the next steps in my career. The balance of academic challenge alongside personal support has made my experience here at the School of Chemistry both enjoyable and inspiring.
I was looking for a chemistry degree course and was happy to find my ideal course at the University of Leicester, as I did not want to relocate outside the county. Being able to pursue the course I want locally was a blessing. My MChem has solidified my desire to be a scientific ‘Sherlock’. Inspired by amazing supervision, I have taken part in two different research areas in synthetic and physical chemistry, unlocking two paths in my career. I hope for this legacy to continue and create more brilliant chemists, as the world needs us.
Chemistry at Leicester has provided the ideal environment for my education and the development of skills to boost my employability after graduation. The lecturers and teaching are what sets the department apart from others, with academics delivering engaging lectures and adopting an 'open-door' policy to answer any questions students may have, taking an active role in our learning and growth.