Undergraduate
Chemistry
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia(M355) 35 Stirling Highway Perth Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
International
1800 653 050
Hours
Frequently asked questions
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Careers and further study
This major opens up a world of future study pathways and career options.
Career Pathways
Chemistry at UWA produces highly employable graduates for jobs in Western Australia, nationally and internationally. UWA is Western Australia’s top ranked University, and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight Universities. This means UWA Bachelor of Science graduates with a Chemistry major are widely recognised, and our graduates are highly sought-after by employers including:
Companies in WA’s (*) two biggest industries:
- Mining (e.g. BHP*, Chevron*, Woodside*, Rio Tinto*, Alcoa*, Shell*, Fortescue*)
- Agriculture (e.g. Wesfarmers*, CSBP*)
- Pharmaceutical and biotech companies like Pfizer*, Perrigo* and Epichem*.
- Chemical and environmental analysis companies like MPL laboratories* and SGS*
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)*
- Top-ranked International Universities
Our graduates also embark on careers in teaching, marketing, sales, and patent law with a company or government department. A UWA Science degree with a major in Chemistry is your ticket to an exciting and rewarding career with diverse and interesting pathways.
UWA’s research-led teaching will provide you with state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and high level problem solving skills.
The chemical industry is seeking graduates who are specialised in chemistry, but with diverse skill sets. UWA’s unique degree structure sets us apart from other Western Australian universities to train graduates for these jobs.
At UWA, right from first year, you have the opportunity to tailor your degree to suit your interest and goals. For example, it is possible to do a major in chemistry with a second major in biochemistry/molecular biology, or genetics, pharmacology, or neuroscience, or psychology, or management. In addition, at UWA you may specialise in either synthetic chemistry or physical analytical chemistry, or pursue both streams in a Chemistry double major. You can use your personal interests as a basis for your choice of subjects to study, and, ultimately, to direct your career.
At UWA, like at other universities, you will learn all the required skills and knowledge you need to set off on a career as a chemist in industry or a government organisation. However, as Western Australia’s top university for Physical Sciences including Chemistry, UWA is exclusively placed to provide you with the more diverse skill set you will need to become a leader in the field. This could be in industry as a Chief Technology Officer or Chief Executive Officer, as the founder of your own start-up company, a research theme leader at CSIRO, or as a Professor at a university.
In combination, these factors mean a UWA Bachelor of Science Chemistry major can launch a career focussed on solving humanity’s greatest challenges:
- Understanding and adapting to climate change
- Disease pandemics like COVID19
- Providing food and water for the world’s ever-growing population
- Extending and improving quality of life through medicine
- Sustainable energy production
- Providing the materials that modern society depends on, and that underpin the next technological innovations
- Preserving our planet’s amazing biodiversity
Salary Information
As a chemist, you can expect an annual salary of $108,000 (+ bonus) as the average across all industries and experience levels, with a salary growth of 2.1% per year. The average entry level salary of scientists commences at $75,000 and ranges up to $130,000 for experienced workers.
Career Opportunities
Chemist
Laboratory Manager
Agricultural Scientist
Biochemist/ Molecular Biologist
Further Study
Fees and scholarships
Undergraduate – Commonwealth supported students
The Annual Fee is an estimate only based on a standard annual study load of 48 points.
For Commonwealth Supported Places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit. For an accurate fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”.
For Full Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee. Visit the Fee Calculator and select your course to see the annual and total course fees.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Undergraduate – onshore students
Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers, mature-age applicants and those with previous tertiary study. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.
Minimum entry requirements
- 8
- 525
- 3.3
- 27
- 8
- 66
- 60
- 270
- 75
- 80
- 320
Admission requirements
Mathematics requirement
This major requires a certain level of Mathematics. If you do not meet this level, you may be able to take additional Mathematics units in your first year to satisfy this requirement.
WACE prerequisite: Mathematics requirement (1A) Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher and Chemistry ATAR
English competency
Chemistry / biology requirement
Applicants are recommended to have completed Chemistry ATAR and Biology ATAR / Human Biology ATAR.
International students commencing in semester 2 must have completed Biology ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or equivalent to be admitted.
How to apply
Ready to apply for this major? Follow the steps and you’ll be on your way to joining us at UWA.
Course details
This major is no longer available for new enrolments. Two new chemistry majors are available for 2021 applications: Chemistry - Synthetic and Chemistry – Physical and Analytical. Both majors can also be taken together.
Chemistry is the science of the molecular scale, and encompasses the synthesis and study of molecules and materials, the exploration of their properties and the development of ways to use them. You'll be taught by renowned experts in their fields, and have a chance to apply your knowledge in practical sessions held in state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories.
About the course
Quick details
- Not Available in 2021
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- 16-25 hours teaching time, plus your own study time
- Undergraduate
- MJD-CHEMS
- 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BPhil(Hons))
You may also be interested in these courses
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 
Engineering Science 
Geology 
Microbiology and Immunology 
Pharmacology Course Structure
Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.
Popular combinations
Student Exchange & Study Abroad
Course Accreditation
Your degree options
This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.
Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Bachelor of Science
School of Molecular Sciences
