If you’re thinking of applying to study Chemistry at university in the UK, there are a lot of strong options to choose from. Whether you’re interested in organic chemistry or spectroscopy, the UK is a fantastic place to study Chemistry.
But which are the best universities for Chemistry in the UK? In this guide, we’ll explore official rankings to discover the strongest Chemistry courses in the country. We’ll break down the top five in detail, with more information on their courses, university, and entry requirements.
Chemistry University Rankings
The table below presents the best UK universities for Chemistry according to two official league tables: the Complete University Guide (CUG) and the Guardian. We’ve averaged their rankings to produce an overall top ten list.
| University | CUG | Guardian | Overall Ranking |
| Cambridge | 1 | 2 | =1 |
| St Andrews | 2 | 1 | =1 |
| Oxford | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Edinburgh | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Imperial | 4 | 10 | 5 |
| Durham | 5 | 11 | 6 |
| Strathclyde | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| York | 6 | 12 | 8 |
| Southampton | 17 | 4 | 9 |
| Bristol | 8 | 17 | 10 |
As you can see, Cambridge and St Andrews are tied for first place as the best university for Chemistry in the UK, according to these league tables. Both universities take first place in one ranking and second in another.
Oxford comes in third place in both the Guardian and CUG league tables. The top five are rounded out by another Scottish university, Edinburgh, and Imperial College London, a university which specialises in STEM subjects.
In the next section, we’ll break down the best UK universities for Chemistry in more detail, looking at the universities themselves, their Chemistry courses, and their entry requirements.
How do Chemistry Rankings Work?
Before we move on, a quick health warning on rankings. All league tables are produced by assessing universities’ performance according to various metrics. These might include student satisfaction, career outcomes, staff:student ratio, and staff research output.
As there are differences between the different metrics different publications use and how they capture their data, there are sometimes big discrepancies between a university’s performance in one league table vs another. For instance, Southampton is the fourth best university for Chemistry in the UK according to the Guardian but only seventeenth according to the CUG.
Secondly, the metrics that matter to one student might matter less to you. Perhaps you think career outcomes are really important but the quality of staff research isn’t. That might mean that a university with a higher overall placing in a league table is actually a worse option for you than one which places lower.
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Best Universities for Chemistry in the UK
University of Cambridge
Top of our list of the best universities for Chemistry in the UK is Cambridge.
University overview
Cambridge is the second oldest university in the UK and one of the most prestigious and high-ranking in the world. A collegiate university made up of 31 semi-autonomous colleges, Cambridge is known for its ‘supervision’ teaching system where one academic teaches a class of just one or two students.
Course overview
Students wishing to study Chemistry at Cambridge must take its Natural Sciences course (known as NatSci). The Natural Sciences course at Cambridge offers a broad and flexible science education, starting with a wide range of subjects in the first two years before allowing students to specialise in areas such as Physics, Biochemistry, or Earth Sciences in the third and fourth years. Teaching is delivered through lectures, lab work, and supervisions, with assessment methods including exams, coursework, practicals, and presentations. Students typically study four subjects in Year 1, three in Year 2, and focus more deeply on a chosen area in later years, with the option to graduate with an MSci in certain disciplines.
Entry requirements
A Level: A*A*A (including Maths and two other Science or Maths subjects)
IB: 41-42 points (with 776 at HL, including Maths (Analysis and Approaches recommended) and two Science subjects)
Admissions test: ESAT
University of St Andrews
St Andrews shares top spot with Cambridge, coming first in the Guardian ranking and second in the CUG.
University overview
One of Scotland’s four ancient universities, the University of St Andrews consistently ranks among the best universities in the UK and is often considered the best non-Russell Group university. It is located in the town of St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland. Its alumni include Prince William and Princess Catherine (who met at the university) and Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland.
Course overview
The BSc (Hons) Chemistry course at the University of St Andrews is a four-year programme that provides a thorough grounding in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, along with skills in problem-solving, numeracy, and communication. In the first two years, students study core chemistry modules alongside at least one other subject, before progressing to advanced topics and a research project in their final years. Teaching combines lectures, labs, and tutorials, with assessment through exams, coursework, presentations, and independent research.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAA (including A in Chemistry)
IB: 38 (HL 666, including Chemistry and one other Science or Maths subject)
Admissions test: None
University of Oxford
Oxford is ranked the third best university for Chemistry in the UK by both the Guardian and CUG.
University overview
Oxford is the oldest university in the UK and one of its most prestigious. Often paired with Cambridge, it is also a collegiate university known for its small-group teaching system (known as ‘tutorials’ at Oxford). Oxford is iconic around the world for its medieval architecture and outstanding quality of teaching.
Course overview
The Oxford MChem is a four-year integrated master’s course combining rigorous academic study with world-leading research. Students cover core areas of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, alongside mathematics and specialised topics such as theoretical and biological chemistry. The final year is dedicated entirely to independent research within a department renowned for its innovation, giving students hands-on experience and access to cutting-edge facilities, with opportunities for placements in industry or abroad.
Entry requirements
A Level: A*A*A (including Chemistry and Mathematics, with both A*s in science or maths subjects)
IB: 40 (with 766 or 776 at HL, depending on your subject combination)
Admissions test: None
University of Edinburgh
University overview
Founded in 1583, Edinburgh is another of Scotland’s ancient universities. A member of the Russell Group, it ranks highly in UK and global league tables. Located in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, its alumni include David Hume, Alexander Graham Bell, Charles Darwin, and three UK Prime Ministers.
Course overview
The BSc Chemistry degree at the University of Edinburgh is a four-year programme that offers a broad foundation in core areas of chemistry and mathematics, with the flexibility to explore other sciences, arts, or humanities in the early years. Students develop advanced knowledge and practical skills through option courses and a research or science education project in the final year.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAA to ABB (including Chemistry and Maths)
IB: 37- 32 points (665 to 655 at HL, including Chemistry and Maths)
Admissions test: None
Imperial College London
University overview
Imperial College London is based in South Kensington, central London. Specialising in STEM subjects, Medicine, and Business, Imperial is one of the highest-ranking universities in the UK. In the latest QS rankings, it was rated as the second best university in the world. Its alumni and fellows include 14 Nobel Prize winners and 3 Fields Medal winners.
Course overview
Imperial College London’s three-year BSc Chemistry course offers a rigorous, research-led education in core areas such as inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, and computational chemistry. In the first two years, you’ll develop strong practical and theoretical foundations, while the final year allows specialisation in advanced topics and includes a supervised research project. Teaching takes place at both the South Kensington Campus and the cutting-edge Molecular Sciences Research Hub, with exposure to modern technologies like machine learning and biohacking.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAA (including Chemistry and Maths)
IB: 38 points (666 at HL, including Chemistry and Maths)
Admissions test: None
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Find the Best University for Chemistry for You
These rankings are a useful starting point, but when it comes to selecting your five UCAS choices, you should make sure to do plenty of your own research. League tables necessarily consider the ‘average’ students, but the best course or university for your unique interests and preferences will be different.
When weighing up your choices, consider whether you would prefer a campus university or a collegiate one, whether you would enjoy living in a big city or a smaller town, how far away from home you want to be, and which aspects of Chemistry you are particularly interested in studying.
Scottish universities like Edinburgh and St Andrews offer four-year courses which allow you to study non-science subjects in your first couple of years, while the Natural Sciences course at Cambridge provides a broader foundation in a range of scientific disciplines. If you want to focus more narrowly just on Chemistry, then Oxford or Imperial might be the better option.
For personal advice from an expert, consider working with one our university admissions consultants. Graduates of top universities themselves, they have advised hundreds of budding students applying to the best universities for Chemistry. If you’re aiming for a top university, you may also benefit from our guidance on writing personal statements, preparing for admissions test, and getting ready for interview.
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FAQs
The best universities for Chemistry in the UK include the University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, and University of Oxford, all of which consistently rank highly across league tables. Other strong contenders include the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London, known for their excellent teaching and research in chemistry.
When choosing a Chemistry course, consider the teaching style (e.g., lecture-based vs small group tutorials), course structure, optional modules, research opportunities, and whether the degree includes broader science subjects or is focused purely on Chemistry. Your personal interests and career goals should guide your decision.
A BSc in Chemistry typically lasts three to four years and provides a strong foundation in core chemical principles. An MChem is an integrated master’s degree, usually lasting four years, and includes more advanced study and a significant research project in the final year, making it ideal for students considering postgraduate research or academic careers.
Oxford and Cambridge are often considered the best universities for Chemistry in the UK when it comes to research, offering extensive facilities and opportunities for original research, especially in the final year. Imperial College London is also renowned for its research-led teaching and advanced laboratory facilities.
Yes, many of the best Chemistry universities in the UK—such as St Andrews, Edinburgh, and Cambridge—offer flexible programmes allowing students to combine Chemistry with other sciences or even arts and humanities subjects, especially in the early years of study.
Absolutely. Degrees from the best universities for Chemistry in the UK are highly regarded around the world. Universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial are globally ranked and offer Royal Society of Chemistry-accredited degrees, which are recognised by employers and academic institutions internationally.