# What can you do with a Chemistry degree?

> Source: https://coursetojob.co.uk/courses/chemistry/ — updated 2026-09-25. Published by CourseToJob (independent; not affiliated with UCAS, HESA or GOV.UK).

**Quick answer:** A Chemistry degree commonly leads to roles such as analytical chemist (graduate), laboratory technician and quality control chemist. Five years after graduating, Chemistry graduates had median earnings of £38,100 (middle half: £31,100–£50,400), and 91.7% were in sustained work or further study (DfE LEO, 2023–24 tax year). The largest employer sector for Chemistry graduates is professional, scientific and technical services (27.2% of those in work).

Chemistry degrees emphasise practical labs, analysis, and safety. Graduates often start in analytical and quality roles. Official figures appear when an extract is loaded.

## What jobs can you get with a Chemistry degree?

- **Analytical chemist (graduate)**: Runs scheduled analyses, checks system suitability, and reports results to a specification. Skills often asked for: HPLC or similar, method notes, sample tracking.
- **Laboratory technician**. Skills often asked for: prep, glassware, waste streams.
- **Quality control chemist**. Skills often asked for: batch release support, OOS investigation notes, documentation.
- **Formulation assistant**. Skills often asked for: weighing, stability pulls, batch sheets.

## Where do Chemistry graduates work?

Chemistry graduates in UK employment five years after graduating, by industry (DfE LEO industry data, tax year 2023–24; shares calculated by CourseToJob from DfE's rounded counts).

| Industry | Share of graduates in work | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 27.2% | £42,100 |
| Manufacturing | 15.8% | £36,600 |
| Education | 12.1% | £34,000 |
| Information and communication | 8.4% | £46,100 |
| Wholesale and retail | 7.2% | £35,500 |
| Finance and insurance | 6.6% | £62,600 |
| Administrative and support services | 4.9% | £38,100 |
| Public administration and defence | 4.7% | £35,100 |

## How much do Chemistry graduates earn?

UK-domiciled first-degree graduates in Chemistry (CAH07-02-01). Source: DfE LEO CAH level 3 subject data, tax year 2023–24 (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-catalogue/data-set/d8bc2906-419e-40ef-ad8e-9b2ccd3997dc). Each row is a different graduating cohort.

| Years after graduating | Graduated | Median earnings | Middle half | In work or further study | All-graduate median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021/2022 | £27,100 | £22,700–£32,200 | 90.6% | £26,400 |
| 3 | 2019/2020 | £32,900 | £27,400–£41,400 | 90.6% | £30,000 |
| 5 | 2017/2018 | £38,100 | £31,100–£50,400 | 91.7% | £33,700 |
| 10 | 2012/2013 | £45,000 | £34,400–£60,800 | 86.7% | — |

## Which universities have the highest-earning Chemistry graduates?

Median earnings five years after graduating, universities with at least 50 graduates measured (DfE LEO provider-level data, 2023–24). Not a quality ranking.

| University | Median earnings | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| [Imperial College London](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/imperial-college-london/) | £59,700 | 60 |
| [University of Oxford](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-oxford/) | £59,300 | 135 |
| [University College London](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/ucl/) | £55,600 | 105 |
| [Durham University](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/durham-university/) | £49,000 | 105 |
| [University of Southampton](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-southampton/) | £45,800 | 110 |
| [University of Bath](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-bath/) | £45,400 | 95 |
| [King's College London](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/kings-college-london/) | £45,000 | 50 |
| [University of St Andrews](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-st-andrews/) | £44,700 | 65 |
| [University of Warwick](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-warwick/) | £43,900 | 145 |
| [University of Bristol](https://coursetojob.co.uk/universities/university-of-bristol/) | £43,000 | 135 |

## Is Chemistry the right degree for you?

You may enjoy it if:
- You enjoy practical labs and keeping a precise lab book.
- You like connecting molecular structure to properties.
- You are willing to learn spectroscopy and safety culture.

It may not suit you if:
- You hoped to skip quantitative problem sheets.
- You dislike PPE, COSHH, and repeat measurements.
- You wanted a field-only environmental course.

## Interview questions for Chemistry graduate roles

Analytical and QC interviews usually test whether you follow a method, understand uncertainty, and stop when something looks wrong. These prompts are editorial illustrations.

- A calibration curve looks off. Do you still report the batch? (What it tests: You investigate before releasing a number.)
- Why might two instruments give different readings on the same sample? (What it tests: Method, matrix, and maintenance — not blaming ‘the machine’ and moving on.)
- How would you write up a deviation from SOP? (What it tests: Quality-system literacy: what happened, impact, and who signs.)
- Explain molarity to a new starter who is weighing solids for the first time. (What it tests: Teaching a colleague safely, which labs need immediately.)
- You are asked to speed up a method. What do you protect first? (What it tests: Safety and validity over throughput theatre.)

## Frequently asked questions

### What jobs can you do with a Chemistry degree?

Common starting roles include analytical chemist (graduate), laboratory technician, quality control chemist and formulation assistant. Five years after graduating, the most common sectors for Chemistry graduates in work were professional, scientific and technical services (27.2%), manufacturing (15.8%) and education (12.1%). These are examples, not guaranteed jobs: your experience, location and further training matter.

### How much do Chemistry graduates earn in the UK?

DfE Longitudinal Education Outcomes data for the 2023–24 tax year shows median earnings for UK-domiciled Chemistry graduates of £27,100 one year after graduating, £32,900 three years after graduating, £38,100 five years after graduating and £45,000 ten years after graduating. Each figure describes a different graduating cohort, not one person's pay rise, and it is gross pay for those in sustained employment, not a starting salary offer.

### Is a Chemistry degree worth it?

It depends on what you want to do. On the official data, 91.7% of Chemistry graduates were in sustained employment or further study five years after graduating, with median earnings of £38,100. For comparison, the median across all first-degree graduates of GB higher education institutions was £33,700 at the same point. That places Chemistry 42 of 146 subject groups by five-year median earnings. Earnings are only one factor: enjoyment of the subject, accreditation and the route into your target job matter too.

### Which universities have the highest-earning Chemistry graduates?

Among universities in our index with at least 50 graduates measured, the highest five-year median earnings for Chemistry were at Imperial College London (£59,700), University of Oxford (£59,300) and University College London (£55,600). These figures reflect entry grades, subject mix and where graduates work, so they are not a measure of teaching quality.

### Can international students study Chemistry in the UK?

Yes, most UK universities accept international applicants, but entry requirements, recognised qualifications, English-language evidence and overseas tuition fees depend on the university and programme. Check the university course page and international admissions team, then check visa requirements on GOV.UK.


Apply for undergraduate courses on UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/courses?query=Chemistry