Entry requirements

In our selection process we are looking for students with the merit and potential to benefit from our courses. Chemistry is a quantitative subject and requires some familiarity with mathematical concepts such as calculus, algebra and trigonometry.

Our normal entry requirements are:

• Chemistry to A level
• Mathematics to A level
• A further academic subject to A level
• Our standard offer for 2013 entry is A*AA
• The A* can be in Chemistry, Mathematics or your third academic A-level

We consider every application on its own merit and potential, and offers may be influenced by:

• the content of the UCAS application
• any extenuating circumstances

We receive more qualified applicants than we are able to make offers to, and we select the best applicants on the basis of personal statement, school reference, achieved and predicted grades. We do not require the third subject to be a science, but we would encourage applicants to take Physics and/or Biology at AS or A2 in addition to A2 Chemistry and Mathematics. We count Further Mathematics as a separate subject from Mathematics.

We value key skills qualifications, although these will not normally form part of the offer condition. General Studies and Critical Thinking will not form part of the offer condition.

We make offers on the basis of grades and not UCAS tariff points.

Applications by mature students and for deferred entry are welcomed.

Other qualifications

We welcome applications from those taking the International Baccalaureate. IB applicants should offer at least HL Chemistry and SL Mathematics, though we would prefer HL Mathematics; SL Mathematical Studies is not acceptable. IB offers are typically 38 points with 6,6,6 in three Higher Level subjects which must include Chemistry; if Maths is not offered at Higher Level then 6 in SL Maths is required. 

Applicants with Scottish qualifications are also welcomed. We prefer at least two subjects (preferably Chemistry and Mathematics) at Advanced Higher level, but other combinations are considered. Most Scottish applicants offer three Advanced Highers and the offer is AAA with one A in Band 1.

For other qualifications we make offers equivalent to A*AA using the university's list of qualifications equivalences.

English language requirements

Students are expected to have a high standard of written and spoken English on entry. Applicants who are not native speakers of English or do not hold GCSE English (grade C or above) will generally be required to provide formal language qualifications as a condition of entry. See the International Office for more information.