CHEMISTRY AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY | 21
Chemistry and
Medicinal Chemistry Careers
Our graduates go on to a diverse range of careers. Many (usually about one third) choose to
undertake further study such as a taught master’s programme at Keele or further afield, or
Medicine or Dentistry courses. Inspired by their final year research projects, many graduates
choose to continue in research, achieving a research master’s or PhD degree. Many graduates
undertake Teacher Training; having experienced classroom life through one of Keele’s many
opportunities to engage with schools in the local community.
Other graduates find employment
in the chemical, pharmaceutical or
environmental industries, working as
research scientists, analytical chemists or
in other roles where scientific knowledge
and related skills are required such as
scientific instrument sales, patent law
or environmental analysis. Combined
Honours students may pursue other
career options related to the combination
of chemistry or medicinal chemistry and
their second subject.
From the outset of the chemistry degree
programme careers are embedded into
the course. Our Careers and Industrial
Placements tutor offers a range of
opportunities designed to help students
with careers decisions. From CV building
sessions with Year 2 students, to
interviews to discuss careers options, a
great deal of support is provided whatever
a student wants to do. We offer support
when completing applications, practice
interviews and advice on putting together
a professional CV.
Students are encouraged to apply for
Industrial Placements during the summer,
both around the Keele area and by
finding opportunities nearer to home.
Other summer options include applying
for Undergraduate Research Placements
in the summer before their final year.
Students are also encouraged to make
full use of the Universities Careers and
Employability Service to explore a wide
range of possible careers.
First employment for Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry graduates in the UK
Arts, Design and Media Professionals 1.4%
0.1%
1.4%
Business, HR and Finance Professionals 15.8%
15.8%
1.7%
Childcare, Health and Education Occupations 1.7%
Clerical, Secretarial and Numerical Clerks 4.7%
Education Professionals 4.2%
4.7%
16.6%
4.2%
Engineering and Building Professionals 3.1%
Health and Medical Professionals 1.0%
3.1%
1%
3.6%
Information Technology Professionals 3.6%
Legal, Social and Welfare Professionals 1.6%
Managers 2.0%
11.9%
Marketing, PR and Sales Professionals 5.9%
1.6%
Other Occupations 6.7%
Other Professionals and Technicians 19.9%
Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 11.9%
Scientific Professionals 16.6%
Unknown Occupations 0.1%
19.9%
5.9%
6.7%
2.0%
Source “What Do
Graduates Do?”
(October 2018),
by the Higher
Education Careers
Services Unit
1,705 responses to
a survey of 3.915
UK Chemistry
graduates from
2017
www.hecsu.ac.uk
keele.ac.uk/chemistry