Championing chemistry in UK higher education: what we’re doing and why it matters

As universities navigate financial pressures, like all subjects, chemistry is facing up to change and uncertainty. At the RSC, we are working to ensure the chemistry teaching, research, and innovation the UK needs for the future continues to thrive, and we want you to know how your voices are shaping this work and can continue to do so. 

Making the case for chemistry 

Chemistry degrees equip students with practical, digital, and sustainability skills that employers need across many sectors, including priority sectors in the Industrial strategy, such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and life sciences. Universities do valuable chemistry research that drives innovation in many fields, including health, environment, energy, food and water, and urban living, whilst training the researchers of the future. 

The chemical sciences sector is projected to grow 30% faster than the overall UK labour market by 2032, creating over 100,000 new jobs in chemistry-centred industries. 

With rising costs and declining real-terms funding across the higher education sector, universities are being forced to make difficult decisions. This has led to cuts and closures of chemistry courses and departments, and we are seeing “cold spots” emerge where no provision of chemistry is available within a reasonable travel time. This is restricting choice and impacting some students more than others, especially students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. 

We understand that universities are under immense financial pressure. But we also know that decisions made at an institutional level may not always consider regional or national skills and research capability needs. We are calling for a strategic, UK-wide approach to chemistry provision, research and innovation. 

We have seen a slight growth in numbers enrolling in chemistry undergraduate courses in the last few years. It is important that chemistry provision can meet student and employer demand and need across the UK. That’s why we are making the case for chemistry, to ensure the amazing research and teaching in universities continues inspiring students and driving growth across the chemical sciences sector. 

Our resources 

We have published a detailed policy briefing, Tackling the challenges facing chemistry in UK higher education, which calls on the Government to work in partnership with higher education and its stakeholders, including professional bodies, to:  

1. Facilitate action to address the financial sustainability of teaching and research in higher education ensuring quality chemistry learning, research and innovation that meets economic, employer and student need across the UK. 
2. Support the provision of high-quality chemistry education and training, including higher education, vocational and technical routes that are locally accessible for all.
3. Recognise the vital role chemistry higher education plays in delivering the innovations, skills and talent needed to deliver government priorities, including the Industrial Strategy.
4. Address the cost-of-living pressures affecting students, reducing barriers to access, participation and continuation in chemistry. 

We will continue to work with the Government and other actors to ensure the chemical sciences can continue to deliver the skills, capabilities, research and innovation needed for the future. You can find the policy briefing on our newly launched web page Shaping the future of chemistry in higher education, alongside more information and resources, such as our Chemistry in UK higher education data pack. 

We are using RSC evidence, including The Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report, to make the case for chemistry, illustrating that chemistry skills, knowledge and research benefit the economy and society. Our website A Future in Chemistry showcases the many different and rewarding careers available in the chemical sciences. 

What we’re doing 

Our work is informed by our members, and we know chemistry higher education, research, innovation and skills are a priority. Insights from last year’s Member Policy Survey, as well as ongoing engagement with the RSC’s Board of Trustees, our Science and Education Community Councils, Higher Education Interest Group, Professional Standards Board, and regional steering groups, among others, have shaped our approach.  

We have also engaged with Heads of Chemistry UK and Directors of Undergraduate Teaching – from our engagement, we know the financial sustainability crisis is driving universities to make difficult decisions, affecting many subjects, not just chemistry. Where chemistry provision is at significant risk and the relevant Head of Chemistry seeks our support, we work directly with university leadership to advocate for the value of chemistry teaching and research and support the Head of Chemistry and RSC members to do so.  

We are talking with UK and devolved governments and parliamentarians, and senior university leaders, to highlight the vital role of chemistry in delivering economic growth and societal benefit, making sure insights and evidence from our members and communities are being heard. 

Supporting our members 

We are committed to supporting our members, including students, who may be affected by the changes in the higher education sector, through a range of services: 

• Chemistry Careers support: Confidential consultations, career planning tools, and access to professional networks. We use our research and insights to support members’ continuous professional development
• Chemists’ Community Fund: Supports every member and their family with confidential financial, social, mental, physical and wellbeing support. It can also provide support to students who are studying on RSC accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in the UK and Republic of Ireland who have experienced an unexpected change in circumstances since starting their studies

If you are interested in finding out more about our support services, see the Chemists’ Community Fund. 

How you can help 

If chemistry provision is at risk in your local university or one you’re connected to, we encourage you to share your views with university leadership and local representatives. We offer campaign templates to write to your local representatives on our web page, to highlight the challenges facing chemistry in UK higher education and to help facilitate the changes needed.  

We also provide other resources to support advocacy, including our policy briefing, the Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report, Insights from REF2021, and the Chemistry in UK higher education data pack, which includes maps and statistics for conversations about chemistry in UK higher education. Please use and share our resources on why chemistry is fundamental to the economy and society, as well as a good career choice, which can all be found on our web page Shaping the future of chemistry in higher education. 

We also welcome your feedback, evidence and thoughts on chemistry in UK higher education. Please share your thoughts using the form below.

With your continued input and support, we can ensure that chemistry remains a vibrant, accessible, and impactful part of the UK’s education and research landscape.