Headstart Course at University of Sheffield - Chemistry

Chemistry for a Sustainable Future

Why this summer school?

Clever, creative chemistry is needed to tackle many of the biggest challenges facing our planet, including the climate emergency, the global energy crisis, and the problem of plastic waste. We have to make every aspect of our lives sustainable. This includes discovering sustainable ways to feed a growing global population, and enabling people to live healthily to an old age. At Sheffield we are passionate about tackling these challenges through our research, and training the next generation of Chemists to play their part.

What will I do at the summer school?

We’ve designed our summer school to get you thinking about how to change the world with chemistry in the areas of health, energy and food. Much of your time will be spent in the lab doing hands-on experiments. You will carry out synthetic chemistry in state-of-the-art laboratories, analyse your products using advanced instruments such as NMR, IR and UV-vis spectroscopies, and carry out sophisticated experiments to characterise their properties. You’ll also get inspiration from our lecturers, who’ll explain the science behind the experiments you’ve been doing and talk about their own research tackling these global problems. Plus, during the week you’ll work as part of a team to develop your own ideas for how to use Chemistry to create a sustainable future which you’ll present on the final day.

Who is it for?

This course is ideal for anyone studying A-Level Chemistry who wants to find out where a Chemistry degree from a leading University could take them. You’ll experience life as a University of Sheffield student, staying in our award-winning accommodation and being taught by our world-leading experts in lectures, workshops and tutorials. You’ll get hands-on experience as you carry out the experiments and use the equipment your classmates are reading about in books. You’ll meet current students to find out what university life is really like and with our graduates who will tell you about the exciting careers paths their Chemistry degrees have taken them down. You’ll leave us inspired by some of the ways Chemistry can change the world for the better.

There is a fee to attend this course, but some bursaries are available.

Applications need to be made by students.