The choice you’re faced with when selecting your A-levels isn’t easy. Often, you need specific GCSE results to qualify for certain A-levels, so your discipline and determination as a student should start early. But don’t feel discouraged if you haven’t been focused from day one—you can always start NOW to work hard for your future. There are always alternatives to make up for lower grades, so don’t stress. In this blog post, we’ll explore whether you need to study A-level chemistry and the grades you’ll need if you’re already on that path.
A-level chemistry is the required subject for these courses
A-level chemistry opens the doors to a wide range of degree programmes. For specific courses, A-level chemistry is not just helpful but essential! Here are the degrees where chemistry is a required subject:
Medicine: To study medicine at any UK university, including top institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial, A-level chemistry, alongside biology or maths, is necessary. Many universities also look for top grades like A*AA or AAA.
Dentistry: A-level chemistry is essential for dentistry at universities such as King’s College London and Manchester, typically with biology. A good combination often includes maths or physics.
Veterinary: Aspiring vets need A-level chemistry to apply to top programs like those at The Royal Veterinary College, usually with biology and sometimes maths.
Forensic science A-level chemistry is a key requirement for forensic science degrees at universities like Cranfield and Portsmouth. It is often paired with biology or another science subject like physics.
Dietetics: To understand human nutrition and metabolic processes, Dietetics programs require A-level chemistry at institutions like Leeds and Surrey and Biology.
Chemical engineering: Chemical engineering degrees at universities such as Imperial College and UCL require A-level chemistry and maths as core subjects, with some courses also asking for physics
Chemistry-based courses: pharmacy, pharmacology, biochemistry. Chemistry-based courses like pharmacy, biochemistry, and pharmacology at universities such as Bath and UCL require A-level chemistry, usually with biology or maths.
Other courses that benefit from A-level chemistry are material science, environmental science and biomedical science.
Why is chemistry important?
Chemistry is not only a required subject for the degree programs mentioned above, but it also provides a solid foundation of skills and knowledge that extends far beyond the lab. Studying A-level chemistry helps develop analytical thinking, problem-solving, and an understanding of how matter behaves—all of which are highly applicable to many scientific and healthcare-related degrees.
- Medicine
In medicine, chemistry helps students understand the biochemical processes within the human body, such as how drugs interact with cells and how the body metabolises various compounds. A-level chemistry builds the foundations for pharmacology, biochemistry, and toxicology, essential to medical education. - Dentistry
Dentistry requires a solid understanding of chemistry to develop and use dental materials, understand how medications work, and treat oral health conditions. Chemistry plays a role in pharmaceutical formulations used in anaesthesia, and it’s important for learning about chemical reactions in the mouth, such as tooth decay and enamel restoration. - Veterinary Science
Like medicine, veterinary science involves understanding the chemistry of medications, metabolic processes, and the chemical makeup of animal bodies. Vets must know how to create and administer treatments, understand toxic substances, and analyse biochemical reactions. - Forensic Science
Chemistry is central to forensic science, where chemical analyses identify substances at crime scenes—such as toxicology tests for poisons or chromatography for separating mixtures. Chemistry helps forensic scientists understand the composition and breakdown of different materials. - Dietetics
In dietetics, chemistry is essential for understanding metabolism, how nutrients are broken down, and how different foods affect the body’s biochemistry. A background in chemistry is crucial for grasping the molecular structure of vitamins, enzymes, and metabolic pathways. - Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering uses chemistry principles to design and develop processes for manufacturing products such as fuels, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy solutions. The foundation of A-level chemistry helps students understand reactions and processes that drive large-scale production. - Pharmacy, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology
In pharmacy, students learn how drugs are formulated and how they interact chemically within the body. Biochemistry explores molecular biology and chemical processes in living organisms, while pharmacology focuses on the interaction between drugs and biological systems. Chemistry provides the foundation for understanding these complex reactions.
Should I study A-level chemistry?
A-level chemistry is a highly respected A-level that can open doors to many opportunities. It may feel like a big decision, but it’s a must if you’re considering a career in medicine, pharmacy, engineering or science!
Here are a few reasons why you should consider studying A-level chemistry:
- Open doors to many degrees,
- Develops transferable skills like problem-solving and critical thinking,
- Builds foundational knowledge for scientific fields,
- It helps university applications, demonstrating students’ ability to handle complex subjects.
Having A-level chemistry can keep options open if you’re uncertain about your future career.
Do you need help in this process? Book a free consultation with me, Sara.
References:
UCAS – Entry Requirements
UCAS provides comprehensive information about entry requirements for various university courses, including specific A-level subjects required for degrees like medicine, dentistry, and chemical engineering.
Available at: UCAS Entry Requirements
CIFE – All About A-Level Chemistry
This guide explains the importance of A-level Chemistry, particularly for those aiming to study medicine, veterinary science, and other chemistry-based degrees such as pharmacy and biochemistry.
Available at: CIFE – All About A-Level Chemistry
The Uni Guide – What A-Levels Do You Need to Study Chemistry?
This guide helps students understand which A-levels are required or beneficial for studying chemistry-related degrees, including pharmacy, biochemistry, and more.
Available at: The Uni Guide – A-levels for Chemistry
