If you love chemistry and want to keep your future career options open, this programme offers a solid grounding in all aspects of chemistry, while allowing you to incorporate some non-chemical options to broaden your education.
Introduction
This is the ideal option if you think you want to start studying chemistry at a lower level than the three-year BSc (Hons) Chemistry programme and are uncertain of an area of specialism.
You spend the foundation year at Carmel College (St Helens) studying chemistry and mathematics with options from biology, geography and physics. Carmel College is located in St Helens, about nine miles from the main University campus. The College offers small class sizes and high standards of academic achievement.
Find information about what essential and optional modules you will need to take during your Year Zero at Carmel College to progress to your chosen University of Liverpool degree programme in our guide to progression routes
What you'll learn
Practical application of chemistry
Material chemistry
Energy and catalysis
Functional interfaces
Medicine and bio-nano chemistry
Theoretical and computational chemistry
Renewable and sustainable chemistry
Numeracy and problem solving.
Accreditation
Our BSc programmes have bachelor accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) ensuring your degree with us will set you on the pathway to a successful career.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year zero
Students follow a programme covering basic sciences including compulsory modules in:
Chemistry
Mathematics
And optional modules chosen from:
Biology
Geography
Physics
On successful completion of the programme at Carmel College, students transfer to the first year of their chosen degree programme.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
This four-year Chemical Sciences degree programme aims to provide broad coverage of all aspects of chemistry with the foundation year at Carmel College.
How you're assessed
Assessment is mainly by examination and coursework but, depending on the modules taken, you may encounter project work, presentations (individual or group), and specific tests or tasks focused on solidifying learning outcomes. Students are expected to score an overall mark of 50% to progress to the second year of the course. In second year, students will start on the first year of their selected degree programme at the University of Liverpool.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
The Central Teaching Laboratories offer a unique environment for the study of physical sciences. Chemistry occupies the top floor, which houses synthetic chemistry and physical chemistry labs with new equipment for a wide range of experiments.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
What students say...
The research that takes place in the chemistry department here in Liverpool is internationally leading, and makes a huge impacts around the world.
Our graduates develop a wide range of skills including numeracy, problem solving and IT in addition to scientific skills. Visits to the Department by leading companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Unilever ensure that you make contact with prospective employers at key stages in your final year.
Typical careers of our graduates include
assistant analyst
development chemist
research assistant
site chemist.
Recent employers:
GlaxoSmithKline
Unilever
IOTA Nanosolutions Ltd
Perstorp Caprolactones
Shell
Towers Watson
United Utilities.
86% of the University of Liverpool’s chemistry students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.
Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.
Meet our alumni
Hear what graduates say about their career progression and life after university.
I chose to study chemistry at Liverpool University because of the brilliant reputation the university, and more importantly, the department has. The research that takes place in the chemistry department here in Liverpool is internationally leading, and makes a huge impacts around the world. I looked around many different departments when deciding on my choice […]
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£9,535
Foundation year fee
£7,500
Year in industry fee
£1,850
Year abroad fee
£1,385
International fees
This course is not available to international students.
This course is not available to international students who require a visa to study in the UK. However, if you're a 'home' student and you've lived outside of the UK, you'll need to complete a fee status questionnaire as part of your application. We'll then assess your fee status and in some cases, home students who've lived outside of the UK may be required to pay the international fee rate. Check your tuition fee status on our webpages.
Following the foundation years, standard course fees apply.
The UK full-time tuition fee and foundation year fee shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. We are currently awaiting confirmation of whether the year abroad fee and year in industry fee will change, so the fees shown are for 2024/25. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
A typical offer is likely to be CDD at A level, in related subjects. Students with alternative A level combinations are welcome to apply but should expect to be made higher offers.
T levels
T levels are not currently accepted.
GCSE
All applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Mathematics and two Sciences. Core and Additional Science/Dual Science acceptable as the two Sciences. Alternatively, if separate sciences are being studied then one of these must be GCSE Chemistry. Applicants over 21 can be considered on GCSEs alone.
International qualifications
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you.
Alternative entry requirements
If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
