Chemistry

Applications Open: - Now

Applications Close: - Friday 13th February 2026 (This is the official deadline, when planning for the new timetable will begin; however, applications may still be accepted after this date.)

Entry Requirements: - 6 GCSE passes at Grade 5+, including a minimum of Grade 5 in Mathematics and English.

How to Apply: - Apply via KentChoices

Why study this subject?

Chemistry is an interesting, exciting and challenging subject; its concepts and knowledge are the basis of many others. It is wide ranging and chemists can be involved in determining the human genome; in producing new materials for spacecraft; in deciding the provenance of “Old Masters”; in analysing fragments from other planets and in the repair of our own beleaguered world.

Studying chemistry opens up a wide range of careers and courses at university, including: medicine, veterinary science, environmental science, pharmacy, geology, chemical engineering and dietetics. It remains a preferable option for law, accountancy, mathematics, mechanical and civil engineering, forensic science and computer science.

Module 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination

• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement.

Module 2: Foundations in chemistry

• Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations

• Amount of substance

• Acid–base and redox reactions

• Electrons, bonding and structure.

Module 3: Periodic table and energy

• The periodic table and periodicity

• Group 2 and the halogens

• Qualitative analysis

• Enthalpy changes

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative).

Module 4: Core organic chemistry

• Basic concepts

• Hydrocarbons

• Alcohols and haloalkanes

• Organic synthesis

• Analytical techniques (IR and MS).

Module 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)

• pH and buffers

• Enthalpy, entropy and free energy

• Redox and electrode potentials

• Transition elements.

Module 6: Organic chemistry and analysis

• Aromatic compounds

• Carbonyl compounds

• Carboxylic acids and esters

• Nitrogen compounds

• Polymers

• Organic synthesis

• Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR).

Component 1: Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (content from modules 1,2,3 and 5)

2 hours 15 minutes; 100 marks; 37% of the A Level qualification

Component 2: Synthesis and analytical techniques (content from modules 1,2,4 and 6)

2 hours 15 minutes; 100 marks; 37% of the A Level qualification

Component 3: Unified chemistry (content from all modules)

1 hour 30 minutes; 70 marks; 26% of the A Level qualification

Component 4: Practical endorsement in chemistry – non-exam assessment, reported separately

GCSE grade 6 in Chemistry, or 77 in Combined Science.