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The BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Education will provide you with both the extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills in chemistry, and professional skills through work-based learning, to ensure you are fully equipped to meet the demands of being a Chemistry teacher in secondary (high) school.
The overall aim of the course is to allow you to develop the knowledge and skills required to teach Chemistry at Secondary School level. You will study Chemistry to Honours level, and will also develop your teaching skills in Years 3 and 4 by taking modules in Education.
On successful completion of the course you will have met the Standard for Provisional Registration. You'll be eligible to apply for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and entry to the Teacher Induction Scheme in Scotland as a secondary school teacher of Chemistry with Science. Your depth of knowledge across a broad range of topics will support the teaching of senior phase courses up to SQA Advanced Higher (or GCSE A-level) level.
UWS provides access to high-quality laboratory environments and with links to active research groups, the range of subjects and practical opportunities available on this programme are based on real-life examples from industry to prepare you for the workplace.
Upon completion of the BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Education programme, you will leave UWS with GTCS registration and are eligible for a one-year paid induction post in a Scottish Secondary School.
With the country facing a shortage of Chemistry teachers, you’ll have a range of exciting opportunities in the Education sector. As a Chemistry graduate you will also have the knowledge and practical skills required for a career in drug research, environmental analysis, and forensic science.
Some graduates choose further study, leading to an MSc, PhD or teaching qualifications.
UWS has been delivering applied science education for more than 100 years.
Nowadays, our science courses at UWS have been developed in collaboration with industrial, professional and educational partners. Underpinned by research that is internationally leading, our science degrees enable our students to make an immediate, real-world impact.
Our science students graduate ready to embark upon a successful career or further study in their chosen scientific field.
Our Programme Leaders have recorded videos to help you discover all there is to know about our courses. From professional accreditation to programme modules and career opportunities, our Programme Leaders will help answer all your questions. You can view the video for this course by clicking the link below.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Applicants are strongly advised to visit the Teaching in Scotland website for full information on what is required to become a teacher in Scotland.
Advanced entry is possible to Years 2 and 3 of this course for suitably qualified applicants (see below).
All applicants should be aware that before progressing to Year 3, students must meet the following requirements:
If you meet the above conditions and are offered the opportunity to progress to Year 3 of this degree, you must apply for and obtain membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme before Year 3 enrolment.
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from english language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The course teaches the fundamentals of chemistry as a core science. Laboratory sessions develop practical and communication skills. Across the four years of the course, increasingly complex understanding of principal aspects of Chemistry – organic, inorganic, analytical and physical – is developed.
Depth of knowledge across a broad range of topics supports the teaching of senior phase courses up to SQA Advanced Higher (or GCSE A-level) level.
In addition, this course aims to instill you with the skills and attributes that are transferable to other areas of study and professional employment. These include:
92% of Chemistry with Education students agreed teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024).
In Year 1 you will cover general aspects of chemistry including organic, inorganic and physical chemistry along with two other science subjects. Laboratory sessions develop practical and communication skills. Students study a range of core modules which include the following: Structure of Chemistry, Chemistry and Reactions, Scientific Investigation, and ASPIRE.*
*ASPIRE is a set of core modules which aim to enhance the academic, personal and professional development of students at UWS.
In Year 2 the core chemistry modules are designed to extend your knowledge of the traditional subject areas of inorganic, organic, physical, and analytical chemistry, in addition to introducing aspects of applied chemistry, spectroscopy and theoretical chemistry. Each of the modules contain both practical and coursework components allowing students to develop, practice and demonstrate a wide range of professional skills.
The core modules include the following: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Laboratory Techniques, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Analysis and Evaluation, and ASPIRE.*
*ASPIRE is a set of core modules which aim to enhance the academic, personal and professional development of students at UWS.
The study of education is introduced in Year 3 with a focus on key educational issues, cross-cutting curricular themes, contexts for learning and professional values.
You will study chemistry modules that provide a foundation for the remaining honours year, as well as dealing with applied chemistry issues, the modules you will study include the following: Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and School & Professional Studies (L9). Progression to SCQF Level 9 is available to students who fulfil the university progression requirements and the GTCS requirements for entry to programmes of initial teacher education.
Knowledge and understanding of curriculum, pedagogy and
assessment of chemistry and general science, and the skills and abilities to implement effective teaching and learning, are developed in Year 4 through campus teaching and school experience placements.
You will study the following modules: Organic Chemistry, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry 4, Secondary STEM Subject Studies, and Secondary School Experience.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical workshops and guided laboratory work.
There will also be group work, literature reports and research projects in order to ensure our degrees provide a strong set of additional skills, such as presentational and communicative skills.
Our Chemistry with Education degrees use a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£18,000 per year of study
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£18,000 per year of study
Ready to apply? All UK & EU Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
Apply on UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2025/26 entry is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2025. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.