Chemistry

Heriot-Watt University ranked first in Scotland for chemistry in the Guardian University Guide 2020.

Chemistry is a dynamic and exciting subject which makes many important contributions to the world. It is a major contributor to the Scottish and UK economies and as such is a secure career pathway. Chemistry plays a crucial role in developing new medicines, materials and energy sources using greener methods for a better future.

BSc Chemistry Overview
BSc Chemistry at Heriot-Watt University is a 4-year undergraduate degree accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Studying this degree provides you with the option to specialise in a chosen field to enhance your employability.

Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees

In lessons, we make sure the theory we teach is linked to these practical applications so that, when you graduate, you will be ready to tackle real world problems head-on, from the biggest global challenges to specific issues related to their chosen industries.

This degree includes extensive laboratory work throughout to ensure you have hands-on experience and opportunities to link theoretical knowledge from lectures to real world applications. You will develop practical lab experience as well as much needed teamwork, problem solving and communication skills.

Your career prospects
Through the selection of optional courses, you have the chance to specialise in a chosen field of chemistry including Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biology, Computational Chemistry, and Materials and Nanoscience.

Chemistry graduates from Heriot-Watt University have a good reputation with employers who appreciate their practical abilities, confidence, and communication skills in addition to the extensive, cutting-edge theoretical knowledge they possess.

Graduates from chemistry can work in a number of roles across a diversity of fields within the pharmaceutical, biomedical, biochemical, health care, agriculture, food, drink and water industries. Opportunities also exist in the chemical, petroleum, electronic, aerospace and communications industries.

Accreditation
Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Five-year MChem Degree
At Heriot-Watt University, you can also study a five-year undergraduate degree, MChem Chemistry. This degree provides additional options to spend a year working in industry during your studies with one of our industry partners or spend a year studying abroad at a partner university in Australia, North America, Spain, Germany or France. These options are not offered on the BSc degree.

Heriot-Watt is 2nd in the UK for positive graduate outcomes (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). As Scotland’s top producer of CEOs (Novuna, 2025), their programmes focus on giving you real-world experience and strong industry links to help you kick-start your career success story. You'll have lifelong access to their award-winning Careers Service with guidance on CV tailoring, careers fairs and job applications.

They guarantee accommodation for students on their safe, green parkland campus, with all energy and Wi-Fi bills included. For students coming from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Heriot-Watt provides a free semester of accommodation to help you with the costs of starting university.

You’ll also be living and studying in a top 2 UK student-friendly city (QS Best Cities, 2026) – Edinburgh. With a vibrant nightlife, eclectic food scene and plenty of shops and green spaces, it's a great city to be a student.

At Heriot-Watt University, you can choose to study flexibly with a 3-year honours degree, allowing you to complete the typical four-year Scottish Bachelor Honours degree in just three years while still enjoying the full student experience, including Welcome Week, Freshers’ events, and support from your Personal Tutor. This can save you both time and tuition fees while allowing you to graduate at the same time as students across the rest of the UK.

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