Careers

A chemistry degree at UCL not only gives you an in-depth understanding of the chemical universe but also makes you a highly numerate and analytical thinker.

About one-third of our graduates take higher degrees, either at UCL or at other universities. They usually study advanced areas of chemistry, but others have gone on to study for degrees in nanotechnology, chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacology, zoology and many other disciplines. Some of our students thereafter continue in chemistry, a few in academia, and many more in industry.

Our graduates have been highly successful in gaining graduate entry to medicine.

However, just because you've studied chemistry doesn't mean that you will be fiddling with test-tubes until the day you retire! Many enter chemical or chemical related industries in a wide variety of roles. Some have taken positions in the Pharmaceutical industry in both organic syntheses and quality control. Others work in product development in healthcare companies. The list is endless. But there are also chemical related fields such as chemical sales, medical research and radiology. Students graduating from UCL have moved on to a huge range of different careers seemingly far removed from chemistry; but the training you receive as chemists makes you ideal candidates for many different careers. Many of our alumni now work in the financial world (accountancy or in the City), in management positions (either with specific companies or as management consultants), and in information technology (programming or running corporate computer networks). Others have gone on to become lawyers and teachers.

Career options are below and further information is available from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Career examples:
Industries relying directly on the technical training of Chemists	Careers in science relying on the general scientific training of Chemists	Careers related to the numeracy, analytical, and problem solving skills of chemistry graduates
Pharmaceutical	Forensic science	Accountancy
Agrochemical	Patent law	Sales
Biotechnology	Scientific journalism	Management
Perfumes and cosmetics	Teaching	Marketing
Textiles and dyes	Scientific civil service	Information technology
Paints	Health and safety	Investment Banking
Petrochemicals	Environmental protection	Management consultancy
Polymers	Nuclear Fuels	Actuarial/insurance
Materials	Medicine	Law
Semi-conductors	Scientific publishing	Personnel
Photographic
Biomaterials