FAQs - Careers

The questions students most often ask about careers in chemical science are answered here. If your question isn't amongst the ones on this page and none of the links can help you, contact the Education Department for more help and advice.

What jobs could a qualification in chemical science lead to?

All sorts! Chemical scientists work in a huge variety of careers both in and out of the lab, including many you might not have thought about before. Some of these career areas are described in the RSC publication Life beyond exams. You can even get inside information straight from the people doing the jobs you're interested in by reading our Employee profiles.

If I do a chemistry degree, will I have to work in a lab?

Not if you don't want to. About a third of chemistry graduates decide to pursue a career in the laboratory, but many do not. A chemistry degree can provide you with a whole range of useful skills that are highly valued by employers of all kinds, such team work, analytical, problem solving, communication and numeracy skills. You can read about some of the exciting career opportunities open to chemistry graduates in our Employee profiles.

What could I earn?

A degree in chemistry could increase your lifetime earnings by £190,000 compared to what you could achieve with two A Levels. 

This was one of the findings of research carried out in 2005 by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the RSC and the Institute of Physics. The research showed that chemistry graduates are amongst the highest earning graduates and earn on average 30% more than those with two A Levels but no degree.

If you want to find out more about salaries in a particular career area, current job advertisements are a good source of information. Newspapers, career and recruitment websites and magazines focussing on topics relevant to your area of interest are good places to start. Remember that salaries depend on a large number of factors, including qualifications required, geographical location, experience and age of applicant, size and type of company/organisation etc.

I want to be a science teacher. What is the best route into this career?

The most common way to become a science teacher is to do a three-year degree course in a science subject and then a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). However, alternative routes are now available. Further details may be obtained from the Training and Development Agency for Schools, which runs a very helpful Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991.

How can I become a forensic scientist?

Beware - forensic scientists and scenes of crime officers are not the same. Scenes of crime officers are generally recruited and trained by the police force (although they are civilians, not police officers). You can find out more on the Centrex (Central Police Training and Development Agency) website.

Forensic Scientists use their scientific and analytical skills to analyse evidence in the laboratory. This is a competitive field - jobs in forensic science are few and far between. The best route to take is often to do a degree in chemistry, analytical chemistry or biology. These courses give you a firm grounding in laboratory techniques and provide you with the analytical skills required for a career in forensic science. Following a course such as this also keeps many other career options open should you change your mind or find it difficult to get work as a forensic scientist after graduation.

Forensic science degree courses are becoming more common but it is important to check that the course content is appropriate for the kind of career you would like to pursue - for example, does it include enough time in the laboratory to satisfy future employers?

If you are interested in pursuing a career in this area, the Forensic Science Service can provide further useful information. You can also find out more about this kind of work by clicking on the link below to our profile of a forensic scientist.

...study medicine?

Chemistry is a must if you want to study medicine. Surprisingly, a biology A Level is not required but maths and/or physics often are. Very good grades are certainly needed and relevant work experience will greatly increase your chances of gaining a place on a medicine degree course. Details of current requirements can be found on the UCAS website. 

...become a dentist?

Yes, usually. Chemistry and biology at AS Level now appear to be almost compulsory if you wish to study dentistry. One or both of these subjects is also required at A Level (or equivalent). Details of current course entry requirements can be found on the UCAS website.

...become a pharmacist?

A chemistry A Level is an entry requirement for many pharmacy courses, and all institutions prefer candidates to have an A Level in this subject.

Many people confuse pharmacy with pharmacology. Pharmacists are involved in the dispensing of medicines and learn not only about the effects of different medicines and how they interact, but also about regulations related to dispensing. Pharmacologists study the effects of chemical compounds on humans and animals. They may work in clinical trials but often work as part of a research team in a laboratory.

...become a vet?

Yes, the qualifications needed to become a veterinary surgeon are similar to those for becoming a doctor. Chemistry is required at A Level (or equivalent), plus A Levels in one or two subjects chosen from biology, physics or mathematics. Current requirements can be found on the UCAS website.

...become a materials scientist or metallurgist?

Yes, usually - these two subjects are intimately involved with chemistry, physics, and engineering so A Levels (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics and mathematics are the best basis for study in this area. Current entry requirements for courses can be found on the UCAS website.

Materials scientists can work in a very wide range of fields, from sports to aerospace applications and from medicine to communications. The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining publishes helpful literature on both materials science and metallurgy. 

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineers work on the large-scale production of chemicals of all kinds - from pharmaceuticals to foods and paints. They work on the manufacturing process to ensure as many useful products as possible are extracted from the raw materials in a cost effective and safe way. Using computer models and simulations, they design and build plants to change the physical or chemical composition of the starting material to form a product such as a plastic. 

Once a plant is in operation, a chemical engineer's role changes from construction to production. They are then responsible for the day-to-day operation of the plant. 

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnologies rely on the study and use of particles smaller than 100nm (a human hair is 80,000nm wide). Modern techniques are allowing these tiny particles to be used in more and more applications, ranging from drug delivery systems to powerful computing. You can find out more by reading the nanoscience edition of the Wellcome Trust's publication Big Picture (available online - just click on the link below).

A few nanoscience degree courses are now available and several institutions offer courses such as 'chemistry with nanotechnology.' However, a more common route into nanoscience research is to gain a degree in a science subject, such as chemistry or physics, and then apply the knowledge gained from this course to the specialist area of nanoscience or nanotechnology. Details of the courses currently available can be found on the UCAS website.

Where can I get chemistry-related work experience?

Finding a work experience placement can be difficult but companies and universities look very highly on students who have the enthusiasm and independence to hunt for a relevant position. There are many ways of finding a placement. Talk to anyone you know who is already working in the type of job you're interested in to find out if they can help. Check whether your school has a work experience scheme or can suggest some companies to approach. You can also look in the yellow pages for relevant companies/organisations near your home then phone or write to them. Before you write to a company, call to find out who you should address your letter to - the relevant contact is usually the 'Schools/Education Liaison Officer' or the 'Human Resources/Community Liaison Department'.  

The RSC does not provide work experience for school students.  However, your RSC Local Section may be able to offer advice on how to find placements in your area.