Pursuing a degree in chemistry abroad: what you must know

Whether we realize it or not, chemistry is all around us.

It exists in the batteries in our watches, fuel in our vehicles, medicine and even the food we eat on a day-to-day basis.

Hence, studying chemistry will enable you to deepen your understanding of how our world works and make sense of our everyday resources.

As our daily actions impact the environment and earth, it can be particularly useful to tap into chemistry as a way to help transform our lives through the use of both renewable and non-renewable resources.

If you’re fascinated by the different substances and materials and would like to someday leave your mark on the world by designing and developing new materials or improving existing ones, this could be a great career path for you.

Having said that, your chemistry degree would not limit you to a career within the industry as you’ll be equipping yourself with relevant skills that can help you to thrive in many other industries – from oil and gas to pharmaceuticals.

What is chemistry?

A field that influences all areas of our lives, chemistry is present in many forms, from the vaccines we take, to the energy our cities run on.

When you study chemistry, you’ll explore how various substances interact with each other as well as the molecular makeup of matter.

After which, you will work with simple forms of matter to either learn more about unfamiliar substances, gain a deeper understanding about the chemical or develop new chemical compounds for various purposes.

Future outlook of the industry

Projected to have an annual job growth of around 6% between 2021 to 2031 in the US by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, chemistry offers a stable career pathway for those who pursue it.

As most chemists are employed by scientific research labs, pharmaceutical companies and chemical manufacturing plants, there’s a world of opportunities when it comes to getting involved in cutting-edge research and development projects that can impact the world.

The average salary of a chemist in the US is US$83,850 and it can go all the way up to US$125,400 for those who are more experienced.

3 things you must know about studying chemistry

1. The study options and costs

With a high level of education as a prerequisite, chemistry is a field that minimally requires a bachelor’s degree in terms of qualifications.

However, if you wish to stand out from your peers, you can consider going the extra mile and completing a master’s degree.

Holding a Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry, chemical engineering or biochemistry are relevant pathways you can take into consideration. Besides that, other specializations that might interest you include neurochemistry, nuclear chemistry or theoretical chemistry.

Be prepared to fork out around AUD$40,000 per year if you choose to pursue your Bachelor of Science in Australia and approximately £30,000 each year if you’re studying in the UK.

2. The jobs and careers in the field

Within the chemistry field, you can pursue the following jobs:

• Research chemist
• Chemical engineer
• Organic chemist
• Clinical biochemist
• Analytical chemist
• Forensic scientist
• Crime scene investigator
• Toxicology

Apart from the jobs that made this list, there are also plenty of other chemistry and science-related career paths out there, be it in the private sector, government agencies or universities.

3. The cross-industry opportunities

In the event you decide to not work as a chemist or in a related role, the good news is that even with your chemistry qualifications, there are other opportunities in different industries that you can pursue.

These jobs include being a teacher or lecturer, project manager and working in biotech sales.

For those who have a flair for writing or drawing, you can consider science journalism or science illustration, according to your skill set.

Get closer to your dream career in chemistry

If you’re thinking about furthering your studies in chemistry, we’re more than happy to help ensure that you enroll in a suitable chemistry course that is aligned with your preferences and goals.

At IDP, we have a team of education counsellors who are specially trained to help you with tailored guidance and assist you throughout every step of your application process – from selecting a course to preparing your accommodation.

Book your free counselling session today to get started!