The building blocks of our physical world
With chemistry, you’ll get the creative skills and grounding in theory to make new technologies. Solve problems like climate change, and find new ways to sustainably and ethically source and use our world’s resources.
You’ll discover how chemical tools can recover precious metals from waste products, such as slag or e-waste. Learn how we draw inspiration from nature to develop new medicines or vaccines.
Explore the creation of new materials like bioplastics and practical new solutions to slow climate change.
What our Chemistry courses teach you
Your undergraduate study in Chemistry gives you the basics of four different areas within chemistry. This forms your foundation for specialised study in future.
Organic chemistry
Examine carbon-based materials, their structures and properties, and how they react.
You’ll learn about:
- the creation of carbon-based compounds in nature
- how to identify and isolate their active components
- the process of producing them in the lab
- the medical, agrochemical, and environmental applications of organic chemistry.
Inorganic chemistry
Explore the chemistry of non-carbon-based compounds like metals and crystals.
You’ll learn how:
- catalysis can produce different materials by controlling chemical reactions
- designing new catalysts can help conserve resources
- inorganic materials are used in clean energy production.
Physical chemistry
Discover how different chemical systems behave at an atomic level, and why.
You’ll learn about:
- measuring the structures and reactions of compounds and materials
- using quantum mechanics to calculate their properties
- the basics of thermodynamics and surface chemistry
- spectroscopy, the interactions between chemicals and light.
Analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry precisely measures the contents and makeup of physical.
You’ll learn about:
- the instruments and tools used to analyse chemical mixtures
- how chemistry relates medical and earth sciences.
Choose your study path
You can take Chemistry as a major or minor subject within the Bachelor of Science (BSc).
You could also choose to combine study in Chemistry with another subject as a double major or a conjoint degree.
Our flexible study page defines double majors and conjoint degrees and offers a list of subjects you can combine when you study.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Chemistry at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Majoring in Chemistry will give you the opportunity to form connections and learn from leading researchers in Wellington’s technology and innovation community. With a qualification in Chemistry, there are many industries you might work in, such as:
- manufacturing
- biomedical technology
- agricultural tecnology
- environmental management
- forensics.
If you wish to pursue a career in scientific research you will need to continue your studies at a postgraduate level. If you prefer a career outside the laboratory, your undergraduate degree in chemistry will help you in areas such as:
- policy advising
- teaching
- scientific consulting.
More career information
Find out more about careers in chemistry.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for teachers
Teach NZ offers scholarships if you enrol in an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course.
Scholarships for Chemistry
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Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident enrolled, or intending to enrol, in full-time undergraduate study, and a competitive runner in distances of 800m or longer. Preference may be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
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Applicants must be of Pacific Islands descent, enrolled or intending to enrol in their first, second, third or final year in an undergraduate programme, majoring in Pacific Studies. Preference may be given to applicants who are experiencing financial hardship.
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Applicants must be enrolled, or intending to enrol, in an undergraduate programme at second year or above, or in a postgraduate programme, have a hearing loss of 70 DB or greater in the better ear (i.e. severely deaf). Preference will be given to postgraduate study in a field that contributes to the advancement, wellbeing, or development of deaf people.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Chemistry
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate study
Once you’ve completed your BSc, you can choose to expand your knowledge with a postgraduate qualification to develop your skills further. If you want to work as a scientist, a postgraduate degree is crucial in a range of different fields.
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could go on to an Honours degree. This is one year of advanced study that lets you research into your area of scientific interest.
If you want to do independent research, you could also study for a Master’s degree or a PhD.
By taking postgraduate study with us, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.