A Chemistry degree provides graduates with skills applicable to a broad range of careers, especially where their analytical, problem-solving, research and IT skills are highly valued.

Data obtained from

• Chemistry (BSc and MSci), including courses with industrial experience or study abroad
• Chemical Physics (BSc and MSci), including courses with industrial experience or study abroad
• Graduates from the UK

Responses were received from 128 UK graduates from 2019/20; this is a response rate of 75.7%

Destinations

Most important activity	Percentage of graduates
Paid work for an employer	64.1%
Self-employment/freelancing	0.8%
Running my own business	0.8%
Developing a creative, artistic or professional portfolio	1.6%
Voluntary/unpaid work for an employer	0.8%
Engaged in a course of study, training or research	21.9%
Taking time out to travel	0%
Caring for someone	1.6%
Retired	0%
Unemployed and looking for work	6.3%
Doing something else	2.3%

Sector information

As well as related jobs, Chemists also enter careers not directly related to the content of their studies. Large numbers of graduate vacancies (currently around 70%) are open to graduates of any degree discipline and areas where Chemists have found work include finance, management, education and careers within the public sector.

Employment sector	Number of graduates
Accounting, bookkeeping auditing activities; tax consultancy	6
Information technology consultancy activities	5
Research and experimental development on biotechnology	4
General secondary education	5
Other sectors (38 sectors)	46

Employers and occupations

Examples of employers

• Deloitte LLP
• Kubrick Group
• Accenture Plc
• Arup
• Goldman Sachs Group

Examples of occupations

• Consultant
• Laboratory Technician
• Software Developer
• Civil Service Fast Streamer
• Data Management Consultant

Further study

Qualification type	Percentage of graduates
Higher degree, mainly by research (e.g. PhD, DPhil, MPhil, MRes)	51.7%
Higher degree, mainly by taught course (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA)	24.1%
Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE)	6.9%
Professional qualification	3.4%
Undergraduate degree (including integrated master’s degrees) (e.g. BA, BSc, MBChB, MEng)	10.3%
Other undergraduate diploma or certificate not specified above	0%
Other qualification	0%
Not aiming for a formal qualification	3.4%