Chemistry

Course summary

Chemicals are everywhere – in the water you drink, food you eat, clothes you wear and medicines you take. So studying Chemistry will deepen your understanding of how the world works. It will teach you how to reason, solve problems, and make informed decisions. It will help you understand product labels. Above all, although considered one of the most challenging A-levels, it’s huge fun. If you enjoyed Chemistry at GCSE and are confident with the mathematical aspects, it could be an excellent choice, giving you a qualification that holds great currency with both employers and universities. Topics include: Physical Chemistry Atomic structure Bonding Amount of substance Energetics Rates of reaction Equilibria Redox chemistry Inorganic Chemistry Periodic trends Groups 2 and 7 properties Organic Chemistry Basic hydrocarbons Haloalkanes Alkenes Alcohols Polymers Analytical techniques Plus more in Year 13 Where Chemistry can take you Many science degree courses require a good grade in Chemistry A-level, including medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science. It’s also an excellent foundation for degrees outside the sciences, showing you have an analytical mind and good practical skills. Chemical and related industries are the biggest employers of chemistry graduates, but alumni also enter many other sectors. A recent study by the University of Nottingham showed that its chemistry graduates went on to the following destinations: Postgraduate Research (33%), Industrial Scientists (18%), Finance (13%), Management (10%), Human Resources (7%), Marketing (5%), Teaching (5%), Information Technology (5%) and Overseas Employment (4%).