How to Apply to Chemistry at the University of Glasgow: Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Physics, BSc in Four Years and MSci in Five With a Placement Year, With Requirements for Home, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

The University of Glasgow is in Scotland’s largest city. Chemistry is taught on the Gilmorehill campus, and the scholarship pages place it in the School of Chemistry, College of Science and Engineering. Scottish honours degrees normally take four years. This guide covers September 2027 entry for home applicants, international applicants (with a separate section for Chinese applicants) and transfer students, based on Glasgow’s published pages. Chemical engineering and biochemistry (listed under life sciences) are outside this guide; see the programme pages on the university website.

1. Degrees and UCAS codes

• Chemistry: BSc (Hons) F100 (four years) and Chemistry with work placement MSci F101 (five years). Joint degrees with mathematics are also listed: BSc GF11 (four years) and MSci FG11 (five years).
• Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry: BSc (Hons) F103 (four years) and the work placement MSci F104 (five years). Honours options include topics such as anticancer compounds, antibiotics, analgesics and antivirals, and the final-year project has a medicinal or pharmacological focus, for example making selected compounds and testing them for biological activity.
• Chemical Physics: BSc (Hons) F335 (four years), MSci F322 (five years) and MSci with work placement F320 (five years). Chemistry, physics and mathematics are all studied in Years 1 and 2. It overlaps with physics, so it is mentioned here in one line only.
• All three programme pages carry a “Professionally accredited” label, but the pages used for this guide do not name the accrediting body; check the programme page or ask admissions. The university lists other chemistry-related degrees (for example materials chemistry) that are not covered here.
• On the MSci, an extra placement year sits between the third year and the final year. The website says chemistry and medicinal chemistry placements are usually in the UK but can be overseas, while chemical physics placements may be in the UK but are often overseas, for example at a research institute or in industry.

2. Applying to a subject directly, and how Years 1 and 2 work

• You apply on UCAS with the specific degree code, such as F100. The website says a Single Honours student is guaranteed enrolment on the one subject entered on the UCAS form, and Joint Honours students on the two subjects they applied for.
• In Year 1 you normally study three subjects: chemistry plus two others chosen at registration in September (some subjects have limited places and priority goes to students who chose them through UCAS). The core Year 1 course is Chemistry 1, covering the periodic table and main group chemistry, transition metal chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical kinetics, states of matter, chemical energy changes, aqueous equilibria and pH, and macromolecules.
• In Year 2, Single Honours science students continue with two of their three Year 1 subjects, one of which must be the subject applied for. The core chemistry courses are Chemistry 2X and 2Y, covering molecular thermodynamics, organic stereochemistry, quantum mechanics and bonding, organometallic chemistry, spectroscopy, coordination chemistry, organic synthesis and electrochemistry.
• The website stresses that being admitted on a UCAS code does not automatically take you into honours in that subject. The decision is normally made at the end of Year 2 (sometimes Year 3) on your first two years’ results, and the threshold for entering honours varies by school and may change from year to year. The threshold for chemistry is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the School of Chemistry.
• In honours (Years 3 and 4) you study chemistry only: Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 3 in Year 3; advanced courses, special topics and a Chemistry Project in the BSc final year; and the matching 4M courses and project in the MSci final year.
• All chemistry degrees require students to buy a 100% cotton lab coat and safety goggles.

3. Prerequisites

• Subjects and grades: the entry requirements panel of the chemistry page lists requirements by qualification (SQA Highers, A-Level, IB and others), but these figures are loaded dynamically and are not given on the pages used for this guide. Open the chemistry programme page, choose your country and qualification in the entry requirements panel, and read the Additional Requirements.
• Mathematics: the admissions guidance says that where Higher Mathematics is mandatory, Higher Applications of Mathematics cannot replace it; A-Level Mathematics at B and IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches at HL 5/6 or SL 7 are listed as equivalents. This is the guidance’s general rule for programmes that require Higher Mathematics; whether chemistry does is stated on the programme page. Where Mathematics and Further Mathematics are both taken, they count as two A-Levels, but Further Mathematics cannot replace Mathematics when it is a required subject.
• A-Level subject groups: chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics are classed as science subjects; General Studies is not accepted.
• Other qualifications: a BTEC Applied Science Extended Diploma at DDD gives access to Year 1 of most life science and science degrees; the Diploma or Extended Diploma at DD or DMM can replace two A-Levels but not a science A-Level that is a required subject. The EPQ is not accepted as an A-Level equivalent. SQA applicants need at least four different Highers, and Advanced Highers are required only where the programme page says so.
• Interviews: the admissions guidance lists community development, dentistry, medicine, nursing, teaching and veterinary medicine as interview subjects; chemistry is not among them, although applicants for Year 2 entry in any subject may be interviewed. Whether chemistry has an additional test or interview is not given on the pages used for this guide; check the programme page.

4. Home applicants

• Scottish students: the standard fee for 2027/28 is £1,820 a year, and eligible students can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have it paid, every year; SAAS may also offer cost-of-living support.
• Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland (RUK): the 2027/28 standard fee is still listed as TBC; the 2026/27 fee is £9,790 a year. RUK students apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England, Wales or NI. RUK means UK citizens resident in the UK outside Scotland for at least three years before the course; fee status is confirmed after you apply.
• Qualifications: SQA Highers (S5 and S6 requirements are on the programme page), A-Level, IB, BTEC and the Welsh Baccalaureate are all covered in the admissions guidance. For widening participation applicants there are adjusted entry requirements; Priority 1 and Priority 2 applicants are guaranteed an offer if they meet them, usually together with a pre-entry programme such as Top-Up, Reach or a summer school.
• Scholarships include the World Changers RUK Excellence Scholarship (a cash award for A*AA at A-Level in one sitting), the RUK Access Bursary and the Talent Scholarships (about 50, typically £1,500 a year). Conditions are on the scholarship pages.

5. International applicants

• English: for applicants from non-English-speaking countries the chemistry page asks for IELTS Academic or Academic Online 6.5 overall with no subtest under 6.0; one-skill retake is accepted; the test must be within 2 years 5 months of the start date and overall and subtest scores must come from one test. TOEFL iBT: 90 overall (Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 19, Writing 21) for tests taken up to 20 January 2026, and 92 (Reading 22, Listening 20, Speaking 23, Writing 21) for tests from 21 January 2026. PTE Academic 59 with 59 in every subtest. Cambridge, Oxford ELLT, LanguageCert, Password Skills Plus, Trinity ISE and Glasgow’s own pre-sessional courses are also accepted; scores are on the programme page.
• Waivers and alternatives: IGCSE English First Language C, A-Level English C, IB English A SL5 or HL5 and similar are accepted, and the page lists national examinations from a number of countries (for example HKDSE English level 4, Singapore O-Level English grade C). A degree taught in English in a majority-English-speaking country (at least two years of undergraduate study, completed within the last six years) also counts.
• Academic results: the admissions guidance says many national school qualifications are accepted, including SAT and AP from the USA and CBSE from India, and that A-Level and IB requirements are shown for all international regions. The actual scores are in the programme page panel and are not given on the pages used for this guide.
• Foundation: international students whose qualifications are below the requirement are pointed to the partner institution Glasgow International College, which offers foundation certificates.
• How to apply: the guidance says all applications go through UCAS or Common App; check course codes and deadlines on the UCAS website.
• Under 18: international applicants needing a visa who are under 18 on 1 August must provide a consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

6. Applicants from China

• The university’s China page says undergraduate entry requirements are on each programme page. It does not set out how the gaokao is used, or how Chinese high school transcripts or the huikao are treated; this is not given on the pages used for this guide, so use the enquiry form on the China page to ask the university (its Glasgow, Beijing and Shanghai teams) or admissions.
• The page lists recruitment partner universities in China (for example Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin University and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China) and authorised representatives in several cities, and offers online undergraduate information sessions. The university says representatives are paid by the university and do not pass charges to students.
• Students whose results are below the requirement can look at the Glasgow International College foundation certificates.
• English requirements are as above: IELTS 6.5 with no subtest under 6.0, or the other accepted tests.
• China is on the eligible country lists of both the World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship and the STEM in Scotland Award; see section 9.

7. Transfer students and Year 2 entry

• Transferring from another university: the admissions guidance says that as a general rule the university does not accept transfer applications from UK students, with exceptions such as a student who must return to their home city for serious personal reasons. All applicants currently at another institution must apply through UCAS and meet the current Higher or A-Level requirements, and any offer is likely to be to Year 1.
• Direct entry to Year 2 (advanced entry): applicants with exceptional Advanced Higher, A-Level or IB results may be considered for Year 2 entry on some degrees, finishing the honours degree in three years (four for five-year integrated masters). Choose “2nd year” as the point of entry on UCAS. The website says not every degree offers it and the requirements show in the entry requirements panel. Whether chemistry offers Year 2 entry, and on what grades, is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask admissions. Applicants for Year 2 entry in any subject may be interviewed.
• Applicants with a degree: they need at least a 2:2 honours degree and must have met the current year’s entry requirements before starting that degree.
• The guidance also describes HNC/HND routes (most entrants start in Year 1 and must pass a summer school) and articulated routes into Year 2 worked out with colleges for arts, life sciences, engineering and social sciences; whether chemistry has such a route is not given on the pages used for this guide.

8. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• The admissions guidance gives the UCAS deadline as 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time; late applications are not considered. In many cases the university waits until it has reviewed all applications received by the deadline; exceptions include Priority 1 and 2 widening participation applicants and highly qualified applicants who already meet or are predicted to meet the requirements.
• The flexible degrees page says “15 January is the UCAS deadline”, which differs from the 13 January in the admissions guidance. Check the UCAS website and confirm with admissions.
• The university is not obliged to honour changes of programme after submission.
• Extenuating circumstances are normally described by the academic referee in the UCAS reference; applicants can also send them to the university directly.
• The guidance says requirements for 2027 entry will be finalised by early October 2026.

9. Fees and scholarships

• International and EU tuition fee (2027/28): science, engineering, nursing and College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences programmes are £33,708 a year (2026/27: £33,210). Check the fee band that applies to your course at admission.
• World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship: for new international and EU undergraduates, a tuition fee discount of £10,000 a year in the College of Science and Engineering. Eligibility: international or EU fee status and an offer for 2027. School of Chemistry students with A-Level AAB or IB 36 are guaranteed a scholarship offer (achieved or predicted; if awarded on predicted grades it may be withdrawn if the final results fall short). Holders of offers are assessed automatically with no separate form, and those being considered are told within two weeks of receiving an offer. It is renewable subject to satisfactory progress.
• STEM in Scotland Award: for international students in eligible STEM programmes, up to £40,000 in total (a £10,000 stipend a year for up to four years), with 5 awards. Chemistry, Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry and Materials Chemistry are on the eligible programme list, China is on the eligible country list, and the School of Chemistry requirement is A-Level AAB or IB 36. It needs a separate application, closing 31 May 2027 at 11:45 UK time, with results by 14 June 2027. It cannot be combined with any other university scholarship, including the World Changers award; successful candidates must choose one.
• Others include the Glasgow International College degree progression scholarships (for international students progressing directly from the college) and the Sanctuary Scholarships; see the scholarship pages.

Checklist

Home applicants:

• Choose the degree code on UCAS (for example F100, F103 or F335) and submit by 18:00 on 13 January 2027
• Check the grades and additional requirements for your home nation and qualification on the programme page
• Scottish students apply to SAAS and other UK students to Student Finance for tuition support

International and Chinese applicants:

• Confirm your English result (IELTS 6.5 with no subtest under 6.0, or another accepted test) is valid for 2 years 5 months before the start date
• Choose your country and qualification on the chemistry programme page; ask the university how Chinese high school results are used
• The World Changers scholarship is assessed automatically with an offer; apply separately for the STEM in Scotland Award by 31 May 2027

Transfer students:

• Apply through UCAS, normally to Year 1; for Year 2 entry choose “2nd year” and ask admissions whether chemistry offers it

Sources: University of Glasgow website: Chemistry; Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry; Chemical Physics; Flexible degrees; Advanced entry; Admissions guidance; China page; International fees; England, Wales and NI fees; Scottish fees; Global Excellence Scholarship; STEM in Scotland Award. Information is for September 2027 entry; where a page prints a date without a year, check that it applies to 2027 entry. The university website is always the final authority.