Award
A level
Course Level
Level 3
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry
September
Fees
View fees
Unique learning opportunities with our School of Health, Sport and Food
Gain invaluable experience in our food chemistry labs
Chemistry is in everything you taste, smell, touch and see and as our world undergoes rapid changes, we need chemists more than ever. It will help us in the race for new antibiotics, find ways to conserve coral reefs and manufacture environmentally-friendly alternatives to current plastics.
There are three core strands to A-level Chemistry course. Physical chemistry explores the science behind chemical reactions and applies them to the real world, reducing the acidification of our oceans, for example. Inorganic chemistry applies the properties of compounds to industrial processes, such as finding more sustainable batteries to combat the skyrocketing demand from mobile phones and electric vehicles. Organic chemistry looks at the carbon-based molecules of life and applying knowledge to produce more complex molecules such as pharmaceuticals to improve human health.
Studying A-level Chemistry with us gives you the unique opportunity to experience chemistry applications in action in our Food Science and Innovation suite, featuring analytical equipment used in the dietetic and nutrition industries. You will explore chemistry beyond the syllabus, with full access to our university library, satisfying your intellectual curiosity and making your applications to universities, apprenticeships and employment more competitive. To help students achieve their potential, we also provide one-to-one tutorials from dedicated learning and careers teams.
Centre of opportunities
Our sixth form centre taps into the wider university's networks to enhance student opportunities and gives you access to world-class university facilities.
We are creating something unique and special for Birmingham and I am delighted you are considering us for your next steps. Studying A-levels requires discipline and determination, but it is also incredibly rewarding, offering you a deep insight into the subjects you choose to study. Sixth form is also an opportunity for you to discover what’s important to you and how you want to make your mark on the world. Our aim is to support and challenge you through this, while developing your character and widening your horizons so you flourish, professionally and personally.
What will this course prepare you for?
A-level Chemistry is essential for most science degrees, including chemical engineering, pharmacy, pharmacology, medicine, veterinary, dentistry, biochemistry and inorganic chemistry. It is often required for degrees such as biology, geology, marine biology, geography, environmental science, oceanography and forensics.
Chemists work in almost any field you can think of, including pharmaceuticals, food technology, cosmetics, toxicology, manufacturing, petrochemicals, journalism, criminal forensics, teaching and research in academia or industry.
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Pharmacist
Average Salary: £48,000
Journalist
Average Salary: £33,000
Forensic Scientist
Average Salary: £30,000
Toxicologist
Average Salary: £36,000
Dentist
Average Salary: £74,000
Veterinarian
Average Salary: £63,000
Our new sixth form centre
University College Birmingham is to begin offering a range of A-level courses as part of a major multi-million-pound investment in a brand-new sixth form centre.
