A degree in chemistry can be the passport to a whole range of careers. If you want to pursue chemistry research in industry or academia, a good chemistry degree (usually an MChem) is essential, often followed by a research (PhD) degree. A large number of our graduates do follow such a career pattern.
Our Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry degrees are particularly suited for employment in the pharmaceutical industry, hospital laboratories, and firms specialising in clinical diagnosis. The industrial training year often plays a decisive role in choosing a career and provides an excellent opportunity to gain the practical skills and experience that employers value so highly. Most chemistry graduates choose to pursue careers in scientific research-related roles or in technical occupations.
The main employers are those in the chemical and related industries such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, petrochemicals, toiletries, plastics, and polymers. Other key employment sectors include the food and drink industry; utilities and energy research; health and medical; research organisations and agencies.
A small proportion of Chemistry graduates will choose to enter very different career areas such as finance, marketing, sales and advertising; arts, design and sport; and social and welfare professions.
Find out more about the career options for Chemistry from Prospects: The UK's Official Careers Website.
Find out what recent graduates went on to do and view graduate destinations statistics. These statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation:
Newcastle University consistently has one of the best records for graduate employment in the UK. 93.4% of our 2011 UK/EU graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating. More than three quarters (78.7%) of our graduates who entered employment achieved a graduate level position.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through an initiative called ncl+ which enables you to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and to give you the edge in the employment market after you graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.