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An image to illustrate the Professional Certificate in Chemistry
Gain a solid foundation in the key branches of chemistry and understand its role in everyday life. You’ll study organic synthesis, spectroscopic analysis, the Periodic Table, reactivity, bonding, molecular shape, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Practical learning is central: you’ll carry out online and remote experiments, and attend a compulsory 2.5-day laboratory school at our Milton Keynes campus to develop your investigative skills. This certificate is particularly valuable if you wish to teach chemistry up to Key Stage 4, or if you’re considering teacher training with a chemistry specialism.
This chemistry certificate has one stage, comprising 90 credits.
You’ll study one 60-credit broad-based chemistry module and one 30-credit practical science module, plus attend a 2.5-day laboratory school.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study all three of the following:
Concepts in chemistry (S218)60Oct
Investigative approaches in biology and chemistry (S285)30Oct
Laboratory skills for chemistry (SXS021)
0Mar

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, flexible study materials, interactive labs, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Professional Certificate in Chemistry upon successful completion.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this certificate in as little as one year and have a maximum of four years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
Part-time, you'll study at roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university. At a pace equivalent to full-time, you'll study at a rate similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this certificate in one year by studying at a pace between part-time and full-time.
You can complete this certificate in two years by studying part-time in your first year and at a slower pace in your second.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
Check you’re ready for this level of study with our Are you ready for S218? diagnostic.
If you have questions about your eligibility to start this qualification, email [email protected].
£6,132*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, these are:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
If you hold an eligible Open University qualification, email [email protected] to register. To start in October, you must register by 11 September.
If you hold an eligible entry qualification from another institution, download, complete and return the Professional Certificate in Chemistry application form with evidence of your previous study. To start in October, you must apply by 14 August.
If you have queries about the application process, email [email protected].
This certificate will provide you with a solid foundation in chemistry and an appreciation of the broad scope of the subject which touches all aspects of our lives. The experimental nature of chemistry is emphasised throughout the qualification.
This certificate is particularly useful if you are required to teach secondary school chemistry, but your background is in another science discipline, or if you're thinking about training to be a chemistry teacher.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond this qualification):
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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