Oxford requirement to study Chemistry; www.ox.ac.uk
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UCAS code | F100 |  |
Duration | 4 years (MChem) |
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Entrance requirements | A*A*A (with both A*s in science subjects and/or Maths) |  |
Subject requirements | Chemistry and Maths Another science or Further Maths |
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Admissions test(s) | None | |
Written work | None |
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Admissions statistics* | Interviewed: 89% Successful: 29% Intake: 193 *3-year average 2019-21 |
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Contact | +44 (0) 1865 272568 Email Chemistry |
Subject requirements: Essential Recommended Helpful – may be useful on course
Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Chemistry is a wide-ranging science concerned with matter at the atomic and molecular scale. Important aspects are synthesis, structure, reaction mechanisms, properties, analysis and transformations of all types of materials.
Chemists are a constant source of innovation: it is hard to imagine any product introduced in recent times that did not require the creative efforts of a chemist. Chemistry underpins the conceptual framework and methodology of biochemistry and molecular medicine and is at the heart of many major industries.
Teaching and research are closely linked on the course: Oxford has one of the leading chemistry departments in the world with state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories and world-class research in a broad range of areas including: synthesis and catalysis; medicinal and biological chemistry; sustainable energy; advanced materials; innovative measurement; and theoretical and computational chemistry. Students will be taught an exciting practical course in our recently-built lab. The department has an outstanding track record in commercialising the innovative work of research staff, which has raised millions of pounds for the University.
The MChem is a four-year course and is not modular, in the sense that the subject is taught and examined as a whole, enabling us to explore the links within the subject. The core material is taken by all students, with opportunities to specialise later in the course. The fourth year (Part II) is devoted exclusively to research – a distinctive feature of Chemistry at Oxford since 1916.
To hear more about Chemistry at Oxford, visit our video: Chemistry at Oxford.
To hear more about our undergraduate Teaching Labs, visit our video: Chemistry Teaching Laboratory.
Work placements/international opportunities
The fourth year (Part II) of the course involves full-time work within an established research group, which offers the possibility for a few students to spend time at laboratories in industry or at universities abroad. Many students find work placements during vacations through the Careers Service and there are some opportunities within the department.
A typical week (Years 1–3)
- About ten lectures (9am and 10am)
- One or two tutorials in your college with set work to be completed in your own time
- Two afternoons of laboratory work (11am to 5pm)
- A problems class, eg a mathematics class in the first year
Tutorials are usually 2-4 students with a tutor. Class sizes may vary but would usually be no more than around 15 students and can be as small as four. Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by academic staff who are members of the department. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level.
Check
- OXFORD Admission requirements for entry
- oxford requirement to study Archaeology and Anthropology
- Oxford requirement to study Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular)
- Oxford requirement to study Biology
- Oxford requirement to study Biomedical Sciences
Part II (Year 4)
Part II (the fourth year) involves full-time work with an established research group. Devoting the fourth year exclusively to research has been a distinctive feature of Chemistry at Oxford since 1916 and this will give you research skills that are highly valued by both academics and employers. This final research year of the Chemistry course has three extended terms of 12 to 13 weeks (instead of the normal eight weeks) and is 38 weeks in total.
To hear more about how our undergraduate course works, visit our video: The Oxford MChem course.
To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.
Course structure
| YEAR 1 | |
COURSES
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ASSESSMENTFirst University examinations: four written papers; satisfactory practical record |
| YEAR 2 | |
COURSES
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ASSESSMENTPart IA examinations: three written papers; continuous assessment of practicals |
| YEAR 3 | |
COURSES
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ASSESSMENTPart IB examinations: seven written papers; continuous assessment of practicals |
| YEAR 4 (EXTENDED TERMS) | |
RESEARCH
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ASSESSMENTPart II examination: dissertation; oral examination; determination of the class of honours degree |
| This course is currently under review. Up-to-date details on any course changes can be found on the Chemistry website. | |
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
Academic requirements
| A-levels: | A*A*A (including Chemistry and Mathematics) with both A*s in science subjects and/or Mathematics. See the full list of subjects in which an A* grade will be acceptable. |
| Advanced Highers: | AA/AAB (including Chemistry and Mathematics) |
| IB: | 40 (including core points). For applicants offering HL Mathematics 766 at HL with 7 in HL Chemistry and 6 in HL Mathematics. For applicants offering SL Mathematics: 776 at HL with 7 in both HL Chemistry and a second HL science subject, and 7 in SL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. |
| Or any other equivalent (see other UK qualifications, and international qualifications) | |
Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved. (See further information on how we use contextual data.)
Subject requirements
| Essential: | Candidates are required to have Chemistry and Mathematics to A-level, Advanced Higher, or Higher Level in the IB or any other equivalent. In IB, Mathematics 7 at SL is also acceptable only where students have taken Analysis & Approaches. |
| Recommended: | An additional science or Further Mathematics are also recommended. |
If a practical component forms part of any of your science A‐levels used to meet your offer, we expect you to pass it.
If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements.
If your personal or educational circumstances have meant you are unlikely to achieve the grades listed above for undergraduate study, but you still have a strong interest in the subject, then applying for Chemistry with a Foundation Year might be right for you. Please see the course pages for more details of academic requirements and eligibility.
Applying
All candidates must follow the application procedure as shown in applying to Oxford. The information below gives specific details for students applying for this course.
Written test
You do not need to take a written test as part of an application for this course.
Written work
You do not need to submit any written work when you apply for this course.
What are tutors looking for?
Tutors are looking for evidence of academic excellence and motivation, as well as the potential for advanced study, a capacity to analyse, explain and apply current knowledge, and a readiness to have a go at problems even when you cannot see how.
Careers
Chemistry provides an excellent opportunity for the development of your critical faculties and intellect, and also instils important transferable skills that will serve you well, whatever your subsequent choice of career. While about 55% of our Chemistry graduates go on to do research or further study, others enter professions such as scientific journalism, consultancy, patent law and teaching. Long term, more than half our graduates remain in posts related to chemistry in some way. The Royal Society of Chemistry provides further information about careers using chemistry
We don’t want anyone who has the academic ability to get a place to study here to be held back by their financial circumstances. To meet that aim, Oxford offers one of the most generous financial support packages available for UK students and this may be supplemented by support from your college.
Fees
These annual fees are for full-time students who begin this undergraduate course here.
Fee status |
Annual Course fees |
| Home | £9,250 |
| Overseas | £44,240 |
Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.
For more information please refer to our course fees page. Fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.
Living costs
Living costs at Oxford might be less than you’d expect, as our world-class resources and college provision can help keep costs down.
Living costs for the academic year starting are estimated to be between £1,290 and £1,840 for each month you are in Oxford. Our academic year is made up of three eight-week terms, so you would not usually need to be in Oxford for much more than six months of the year but may wish to budget over a nine-month period to ensure you also have sufficient funds during the holidays to meet essential costs. For further details please visit our living costs webpage.
Financial support
| Home | A tuition fee loan is available from the UK government to cover course fees in full for Home (UK, Irish nationals and other eligible students with UK citizens’ rights – see below*) students undertaking their first undergraduate degree**, so you don’t need to pay your course fees up front.Oxford is offering one of the most generous bursary packages of any UK university to Home students with a family income of around £42,875 or less, with additional opportunities available to UK students from households with incomes of £27,500 or less. The UK government also provides living costs support to Home students from the UK and those with settled status who meet the residence requirements.*For courses starting on or after 1 August, the UK government has confirmed that EU, other EEA, and Swiss Nationals will be eligible for student finance from the UK government if they have UK citizens’ rights (i.e. if they have pre-settled or settled status, or if they are an Irish citizen covered by the Common Travel Area arrangement). The support you can access from the government will depend on your residency status.
See further details. |
| Islands (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) |
Islands students are entitled to different support to that of students from the rest of the UK.Please refer the links below for information on the support to you available from your funding agency:States of Jersey States of Guernsey Isle of Man |
| Overseas | Please refer to the “Other Scholarships” section of our Oxford Bursaries and Scholarships page. |
**If you have studied at undergraduate level before and completed your course, you will be classed as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification student (ELQ) and won’t be eligible to receive government or Oxford funding
Additional Fees and Charges Information for Chemistry
Students in their fourth year undertake full-time research under the supervision of a member of the academic staff. This final year has three extended terms of 12 to 13 weeks and is 38 weeks in total, so you will need to budget for higher living costs in the final year, as you will be required to be in Oxford for longer than the standard terms. (See the likely range of living costs for an additional month in Oxford.) This final year, which is entirely devoted to research, is a unique feature of the Oxford course, and will give you research skills that are highly valued by both academics and employers.
Contextual information
Course data fromDiscover Uni provides applicants with statistics about undergraduate life at Oxford. But there is so much more to an Oxford degree that the numbers can’t convey.
The Oxford tutorial
College tutorials are central to teaching at Oxford. Typically, they take place in your college and are led by your academic tutor(s) who teach as well as do their own research. Students will also receive teaching in a variety of other ways, depending on the course. This will include lectures and classes, and may include laboratory work and fieldwork. However, tutorials offer a level of personalised attention from academic experts unavailable at most universities.
During tutorials (normally lasting an hour), college subject tutors will give you and one or two tutorial partners feedback on prepared work and cover a topic in depth. The other student(s) in your college tutorials will be from your year group, doing the same course as you and will normally be at your college. Such regular and rigorous academic discussion develops and facilitates learning in a way that isn’t possible through lectures alone. Tutorials also allow for close progress monitoring so tutors can quickly provide additional support if necessary.
College life
Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s reputation as one of the best universities in the world.
- At Oxford, everyone is a member of a college as well as their subject department(s) and the University. Students therefore have both the benefits of belonging to a large, renowned institution and to a small and friendly academic community. Each college or hall is made up of academic and support staff, and students. Colleges provide a safe, supportive environment leaving you free to focus on your studies, enjoy time with friends and make the most of the huge variety of opportunities.
- Each college has a unique character, but generally their facilities are similar. Each one, large or small, will have the following essential facilities:
- Porters’ lodge (a staffed entrance and reception)
- Dining hall
- Lending library (often open 24/7 in term time)
- Student accommodation
- Tutors’ teaching rooms
- Chapel and/or music rooms
- Laundry
- Green spaces
- Common room (known as the JCR).
- All first year students are offered college accommodation either on the main site of their college or in a nearby college annexe. This means that your neighbours will also be ‘freshers’ and new to life at Oxford. This accommodation is guaranteed, so you don’t need to worry about finding somewhere to live after accepting a place here, all of this is organised for you before you arrive.
- All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation and some offer it for the entire duration of your degree. You may choose to take up the option to live in your college for the whole of your time at Oxford, or you might decide to arrange your own accommodation after your first year – perhaps because you want to live with friends from other colleges.
- While college academic tutors primarily support your academic development, you can also ask their advice on other things. Lots of other college staff including welfare officers help students settle in and are available to offer guidance on practical or health matters. Current students also actively support students in earlier years, sometimes as part of a college ‘family’ or as peer supporters trained by the University’s Counselling Service.
Oxford Requirement To Study Chemistry For International Students
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Studying Chemistry at the University of Oxford: A Guide for International Students
The University of Oxford’s Chemistry programme is renowned as one of the most rigorous and research-intensive undergraduate courses globally. The four-year MChem degree is designed to develop students into expert scientists through a combination of theoretical study and extensive, year-round laboratory work.
For international students, the application process is identical to that for UK applicants—there is no separate international quota—but meeting the academic and English language requirements is essential.
1. Academic Entry Requirements
Oxford expects exceptional academic performance. While the university accepts a wide range of international qualifications, you must ensure your background aligns with their standards.
Core Subject Requirements
Regardless of your home curriculum, you must demonstrate high proficiency in:
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Chemistry: This is mandatory.
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Mathematics: This is mandatory.
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Recommended: A second science subject (typically Physics) or Further Mathematics is strongly encouraged and will significantly strengthen your application.
Grade Equivalencies
The standard conditional offer for Chemistry is AAA at A-level (with both A*s in science or maths subjects). If you are studying a different curriculum, you must meet the equivalent standard.
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International Baccalaureate (IB): The typical offer is 40 points (including core points).
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You must achieve 7, 7, 6 at Higher Level.
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Chemistry: You must have 7 at HL.
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Mathematics: You must have 7 at HL (either Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation), or 6 at HL with 7 in SL Analysis & Approaches.
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A second science at HL is often required depending on your Maths choice.
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Other Qualifications: Oxford accepts many national qualifications (e.g., US Advanced Placement, European Baccalaureate, German Abitur). You must consult the official Oxford international qualifications page to verify if your specific certificate is accepted and what grades are required.
2. English Language Proficiency
As all teaching is conducted in English, you must be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency. If your first language is not English, you will likely be required to provide evidence of your skills.
Note: Ensure you check the official university website for any updates to these requirements, as they can change.
3. The Application Process
All applications must be made through UCAS by the strict deadline of October 15th at 6:00 PM UK time.
Key Stages
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UCAS Application: This includes your personal statement and an academic reference. You do not need to submit transcripts with your initial application; you will self-report your qualifications and predicted grades.
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Shortlisting: Tutors review your academic records, personal statement, and reference to select candidates for interview.
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Interviews: Shortlisted candidates are invited to online interviews in December. These interviews are academic and focus on your ability to apply chemical concepts to unfamiliar problems. They are not merely tests of recall.
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Decisions: Decisions are typically communicated in early January.
4. Tips for a Competitive Application
Admissions tutors at Oxford are looking for more than just high grades; they are looking for “intellectual curiosity” and the potential to thrive in a tutorial-based learning environment.
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Develop Mathematical Confidence: Chemistry at Oxford is highly mathematical, particularly in Physical Chemistry. Ensure you are comfortable with calculus, logarithms, and data analysis.
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Engage with Chemistry Beyond the Classroom: Tutors value students who demonstrate an interest in the subject through wider reading, participation in Chemistry Olympiads, or independent research projects.
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Prepare for Interviews: Practice explaining your thought processes aloud. The interviewers are interested in how you arrive at an answer, not just the final result.
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Be Prepared for Laboratory Focus: Oxford Chemistry integrates practical work from the first year. Show that you have an aptitude for and interest in experimental science.