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Department of Chemistry

Frontier research, innovation, and education in the molecular sciences.

Study with us

Our courses in chemistry provide the opportunity for you to study the structure and reactivity of molecular systems as you explore new and impactful research.

You'll become a versatile chemist, ready to collaborate in various areas of science and technology.

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Research

Our research applies internationally leading expertise to find solutions to the key challenges faced by society.

A vibrant and collaborative research environment with themes and expertise spanning across many areas.  These include chemical and structural biology, atmospheric science, catalysis, materials, sustainable and green chemistry, molecular measurement technologies and digital chemistry.

Explore our research

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We recognise the importance of equal participation, progression and success for all.

The Department of Chemistry strives to provide a working, learning, social and living environment that will enable all our staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish and to excel.

We were the first department in the UK to receive the Athena Swan Gold award for our commitment to gender equality in higher education, making us the longest-held recipient of the Gold award on record.

Find out about our culture

We pride ourselves on being a department that achieves excellence in our research and our teaching, through outstanding people and great facilities. There is a strong sense of community among the staff and students, and we work hard to be inclusive and welcoming, ensuring that everyone can achieve their full potential.

Dr Derek Wann, Head of Department

We stand against bullying and discrimination. We’re dedicated to maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful community, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment. It’s a core value of our Department, and key to the way we work and support each other.

in the Complete University Guide 2026.
with the majority of our research and impact rated as world leading - according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
demonstrating our strong and longstanding commitment to gender equality.

News

News

18 July 2025

A Royal Society of Chemistry Horizon Prize film celebrates pioneering work on microbial sulfur recycling by researchers in the department and international collaborators. Discover how microbes power ecosystems and climate via organosulfur metabolism.

News

17 July 2025

Congratulations to Hannah for winning at the CheM62 Network Meeting!

News

17 July 2025

The discovery of fundamental rules allows the efficient and selective separation of polymer mixtures by chemical recycling into pure monomers.

News

16 July 2025

The results of the 2025 National Student Survey have revealed the strengths of the Department of Chemistry which has excelled in ‘Assessment and Feedback’, ‘Academic Support’ and ‘Learning Resources’.

Events

Event

Wednesday 10 September 2025 10.30am

A symposium focusing on the development and implementation of neuroinclusive practice in teaching and research in the chemical sciences

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