Information about careers in chemistry

What is chemistry?

Chemistry is the science of matter at the very basic level of molecules and atoms. Chemists study what substances are made of, how they interact and their role in living things. 

The contribution (direct, indirect and induced) of chemistry-using professionals to UK GDP was estimated to be £83 billion in 2019. And there are estimated to have been 275,000 chemistry-using jobs in the UK in 2019, with a further 425,000 jobs supported by this workforce throughout the UK economy. 

It is one of a group of chemical sciences which includes:

• biological sciences, such as biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology.
• materials chemistry, an interdisciplinary field looking at the chemical structure of materials and how they react with their environment.
• environmental chemistry, understanding environmental interactions such as climate change, pollution or waste management on a molecular level.
• chemistry is also the basis of other related disciplines such as chemical engineering.

Jobs, sectors and locations of chemistry-using professionals

Where do chemists work?

Chemists work in many fields including:

• pharmaceuticals – developing and testing medicines and vaccines
• food technology – creating foods and food additives
• manufacturing – developing and converting raw materials into usable products from paints to solar panels to clothing
• energy – renewables, oil and gas
• science communication, journalism and publishing – communicating about science and research in scientific books and journals, magazines and online news publishers
• forensics – examining evidence after a crime and providing evidence in court
• teaching or research – in academia or industry.

What skills do chemists have?

A chemistry qualification teaches skills that are valued by both scientific and non-scientific employers:

• ability to research, collate, handle and analyse data
• written and verbal communication skills
• logical thought processes
• problem solving
• team working
• awareness of health and safety regulations
• attention to detail when conducting experiments and observations
• an understanding of how and why things happen

For some careers a chemistry qualification is essential.

Are chemical scientists in demand?

In choosing any career, it is important to take into account the economic trends across the world, the UK and locally. Although the world is always changing, demand for chemical scientists worldwide is likely to remain high because chemistry forms the basis of so many materials, processes and demand for new medicines and medical devices continues to increase. Chemistry is also a global field so there will be plenty of opportunities to work abroad.

The chemical sciences workforce is projected to grow 30% faster than the overall UK labour market. 

The Parental Guidance  website has useful information on labour market trends.  You may want to watch the short video Shift happens 2018 or the 2024 update which is a graphic illustration of how the world is changing. For a glimpse of the jobs of the future take a look at The future of work.

Where to study? 

Chemistry is a complicated subject, which requires a large body of knowledge. To study it at university a chemistry A-level (or equivalent) is required, which means studying it at GCSE (or equivalent), either alone or as part of science. 

There are various university degrees available so it’s important to explore the different courses available. However, it is important that they choose the right university and course for them. There is no single ‘best’ course. The Royal Society of Chemistry accredits university courses  so you can be assured they meet the specific requirements and contain a high level of chemistry. 

If university isn’t suitable there are also work-based options  where they can gain workplace experience to kickstart their career in chemistry.

Maths is a good subject to study alongside chemistry, as a good understanding of maths will help the study of chemistry. Maths is a requirement for some undergraduate chemistry degrees.