Direct entry to second year Chemistry BSc (Hons) 2025 entry

It is possible for students applying for the  BSc in Chemistry to enter directly into the second year of study, meaning you will complete your degree in three years instead of four. 

This option is offered to students with excellent Advanced Higher, A-Level or International Baccalaureate qualifications.            

Students who enter directly into second year will take modules required by the Chemistry BSc programme from the second year on, along with an additional introductory module specifically designed for direct entry students. 

Direct entry students will have the opportunity to study abroad during their second year of study. 

For more information, or to discuss the possibility of direct entry to second year, please contact the School of Chemistry. 

Joint degree options

Direct entry into second year is also possible for the following joint Honours degrees:

  • Biology and Chemistry (UCAS code: C761)
  • Chemistry and Geology (UCAS code: FF16)

The entry requirements below are for single Honours direct entry only. For more information about direct entry to joint degrees, please contact Admissions at admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

UCAS code
F100
Start date
September 2025
End date
September 2028
Duration
Three years full time
School
School of Chemistry

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

  • Advanced Highers:
    AB, A in Chemistry and B in one other science from the following: Mathematics or Physics.
    Highers:
    AAAAB

  • Standard entry grades:
    AAA, including Chemistry and one other science from the following: Mathematics or Physics.

  • Standard entry grades:
    38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Chemistry and HL6 in one other science from the following: Mathematics or Physics.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

  • SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing science
    • Geography
    • Applications of Mathematics
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.

  • GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing Science
    • Geography
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Applicants must have studied Chemistry at SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level, or equivalent. Preference may be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Careers

St Andrews chemistry graduates have an employment rate of over 95% and are in demand by large multinational and grassroots companies alike. Chemistry degrees provide a range of highly desirable skills that are prized by employers across numerous sectors, including: 

  • problem-solving 
  • numeracy 
  • data handling 
  • teamwork 
  • oral and written communication. 

St Andrews chemistry graduates move into a wide range of employment both in the chemical and allied industries, as well as sectors outside physical sciences. 

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 3800
Email
chemistry@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
School of Chemistry
Purdie Building
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST

School of Chemistry website