BSc Chemistry with Cosmetic Science with Foundation Year

Program Overview

This four-year program combines a foundation year with a specialized BSc in Chemistry with Cosmetic Science. Students delving into the chemistry behind cosmetics learn about color, stability, and ethical considerations. The program offers industry connections through placements and a final project focused on new product development, preparing graduates for the growing cosmetics market.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Study the chemistry behind the design and development of cosmetics - and develop core academic skills with our unique BSc Chemistry with Cosmetic Science with Foundation Year degree. This four-year programme includes a foundation year that leads directly into the three-year BSc Chemistry with Cosmetic Science degree. The foundation year will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed at university. You’ll develop core skills in academic study, writing and research. Your subject-specific studies will focus on basic principles in: biology chemistry ecology sustainability mathematics. Your learning will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops. A foundation year is more than just a stepping-stone to a degree. You will also benefit from: full integration into university life, before your degree year begins experience of an academic environment, and the ability to work independently specialist support and guidance. After successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll progress onto our three-year BSc Chemistry with Cosmetic Science degree. Cosmetic science underpins a booming industry. Cosmetics is one of the EU’s five largest markets, with rapid expansion causing a skills shortage of chemists to work on cosmetics development. At Reading, we developed this specialised BSc Chemistry with Cosmetic Science course in conjunction with the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Society of Cosmetic Scientists, and industrial partners. Working with expert academics in Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Food and Pharmacy, you will learn about: the chemistry behind colour and scent in products how to ensure that cosmetic products are stable the ethical implications of using different ingredients in a cosmetic product. Your learning environment Studying the science behind make-up, creams, gels, toiletries, masks, oral care, hair care and sun creams, you will make extensive use of our advanced technology and laboratory facilities. Core chemistry modules are combined with cosmetic science modules, and look at topics such as the biology of skin and hair, the chemistry of waxes and oils, formulation, and launching a product. You will learn through lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a placement in the cosmetics industry in your third year. For example, the University of Reading has strong links with multinational and local organisations such as Unilever, Tropic Skincare and Alchemy Ingredients. In your final year, you will complete a new product development project. In the National Student Survey 2023, 98% of students said that their course challenged them to achieve their best work very often or fairly often (97.5% of respondents studying in the Department of Chemistry). Your project will follow standard industry processes with input from industry professionals. Alongside the project you will learn about the lifecycle of products and how to take them from idea, to design, to considering toxicology and regulations, and finally launching them to market.

Outline:

Foundation Year

• Chemistry
• Mathematics Foundation
• Foundation Programme: Biology
• Optional modules
• Foundation in Academic Skills
• Academic Skills

Year 1

• Chemistry Practicals 1
• Fundamentals of Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
• Shape, Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry
• Physical Processes and Molecular Organisation
• Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life

Year 2

• Further Inorganic Chemistry
• Further Organic Chemistry
• Further Physical Chemistry
• Chemistry Practicals 2
• Core Cosmetic Science 1

Year 3

• Industrial Placement
• Chemistry Project 3
• Chemistry Core 1 (Inorganic and Organic)
• Chemistry Core 2 (Physical and Analytical)
• Further Cosmetic Science
• Optional modules
• Further Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Chemistry in the Natural World
• Polymers in Nature and Industry
• Further Analytical Techniques

Careers:

This BSc Chemistry with Cosmetic Science with Foundation Year course aims to prepare you for the rapidly expanding cosmetics market. Learning from academics and experts employed in the cosmetics industry, you will make industry contacts during your studies as well as during your third-year placement and final project. We have connections with a number of cosmetics companies in the area, including: Smink (Ascot) Alchemy Ingredients (Ascot) Proctor and Gamble (Egham, Reading and Weybridge) Johnson and Johnson (Maidenhead) Tropic Skincare (Croydon).

Other:

• 98% of students said that their course challenged them to achieve their best work very often or fairly often (97.5% of respondents studying in the Department of Chemistry).

• New UK/Republic of Ireland students:
£9,250
• New international students:
£27,650