A Level Chemistry at LMSC follows the AQA 7405 specification and is taught live by specialist chemists in small groups, on campus in London, fully online, or hybrid. You complete AQA's required practical programme in our own laboratories, so your certificate carries the practical endorsement that medicine, dentistry, veterinary and chemical engineering courses require.
A Level Chemistry explains what matter is made of and why it behaves as it does, from the structure of the atom to reaction rates, energy changes and the synthesis of organic molecules. It is the subject that connects physics to biology, and it is the most frequently required A Level for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and pharmacy.
It is also more mathematical than most students expect. At least 20% of the marks across the three papers assess mathematics at Level 2 or above, a minimum set by the Department for Education for every A Level Chemistry specification.
Taught by chemists. Lessons are led by specialist chemistry teachers in small groups, in real time, structured around the AQA specification. Every session is recorded, so mechanisms and calculations can be revisited as often as needed.
Our own laboratories. You complete AQA's required practical programme on site, assessed against the Common Practical Assessment Criteria. This is the part of chemistry distance providers cannot solve, and it is the part universities check.
Three ways to study, one qualification. On campus in London, fully online, or hybrid. Online and hybrid students attend scheduled laboratory blocks in London for the practical programme.
We teach you and we examine you. LMSC is a specialist STEM college and a private exam centre, so teaching, practical assessment and exam entry sit under one roof.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need A Level Chemistry for medicine?
Almost always, yes. Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and Imperial all require it. Manchester is a notable exception, accepting Biology or Chemistry. No medical school we checked treats Chemistry as optional in the way some treat Biology, so if medicine is your goal, take Chemistry.
What GCSE grades do you need for A Level Chemistry?
UK sixth forms typically ask for grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry or 6-6 in higher-tier Combined Science, plus grade 6 in GCSE Maths. More selective colleges ask for grade 7. LMSC asks for grade 6, and recommends grade 7 for medicine applicants.
Do you need A Level Maths to study A Level Chemistry?
No. No sixth form in our review requires it. But at least 20% of the marks assess mathematics at Level 2 or above, so students without A Level Maths need to be secure with GCSE algebra. Chemical engineering degrees do require A Level Maths.
Can you study A Level Chemistry online?
Yes for the taught content, but not for the practical endorsement, which requires a laboratory. LMSC teaches online and delivers the required practicals in our own laboratories in London, in scheduled blocks.
What is the practical endorsement and what happens without it?
It is a separately reported Pass or Not Classified outcome covering your laboratory work. It does not affect your A* to E grade but it is printed on your certificate, and UCL, Imperial, Manchester, King's College London and others make a pass a condition of their offer.
Is A Level Chemistry harder than Biology?
Most students find it more demanding, for two reasons: it carries twice the minimum mathematical content of Biology, 20% against 10%, and it requires mechanistic reasoning rather than recall. Sixth forms reflect this, commonly setting higher entry requirements for Chemistry than for Biology.
Does A Level Chemistry have coursework?
No. There is no coursework and no written NEA. The practical endorsement is assessed by your centre across the course and reported separately.
Can you resit A Level Chemistry?
Yes, as a whole qualification in the summer series. If you already hold a practical endorsement pass from a previous series it can usually be carried forward rather than repeated. Confirm this with us before entering.
AQA organises A Level Chemistry into three content areas. All are compulsory. There are no optional topics.
Physical chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Required practicals
AQA specifies twelve required practical activities, and twelve assessed activities is also the minimum for the practical endorsement. At LMSC you complete the full programme in our laboratories.
This course suits you if you:
Do you need A Level Maths as well?
No, and we do not require it. But chemistry carries a 20% minimum mathematical content, and most colleges that publish guidance recommend Maths alongside it. If you are aiming at chemical engineering, Maths is effectively required by the universities rather than by us: Imperial asks for A* in both Chemistry and Mathematics.
This course may not suit you if you:
Awarding body and qualification
AQA A-level Chemistry, specification code 7405. Graded A* to E.
Three written papers, no coursework
Mathematics in the papers
A minimum of 20% of the marks across the three papers assess mathematics at Level 2 or above. This is a Department for Education requirement and applies to every A Level Chemistry specification.
The practical endorsement - read this if you are studying online or as a private candidate
A Level Chemistry carries a practical endorsement, reported separately from your grade as either Pass or Not Classified. It does not contribute to your A* to E grade, but it is printed on your certificate.
AQA specifies twelve required practical activities, and a minimum of twelve assessed activities is required for the endorsement. Each is judged against the five Common Practical Assessment Criteria: following written procedures; applying investigative approaches; using equipment safely; making and recording observations; and researching, referencing and reporting.
Universities enforce this. UCL states that a pass in the practical endorsement is required for anyone studying Biology, Chemistry or Physics A levels in England. Imperial requires a pass in all science subjects forming part of an offer. Manchester, King's College London, the Royal Veterinary College and Nottingham apply the same condition.
The endorsement can only be delivered and assessed by a centre with laboratories and qualified science staff. LMSC has both. Online and hybrid students complete the full required practical programme in our own laboratories in London, in scheduled blocks.
Also assessed in the written papers
At least 15% of the marks in the written papers assess knowledge and understanding of practical work. AQA states this directly for Chemistry.
Calculators
Permitted in all papers. Full working and correct units are required regardless.
Exam series
Normally the May/June series. LMSC students sit their examinations in London.
GCSE or IGCSE Chemistry
Grade 6 or above in Chemistry, or grades 6-6 in higher-tier Combined Science. Grade 7 is recommended if you intend to apply for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science, where competition is severe.
GCSE or IGCSE Mathematics
Grade 6 or above. Chemistry carries a minimum 20% mathematical content and students who find GCSE algebra difficult tend to struggle.
Combined Science entries
Higher tier only. GCSE Applied Science and Level 2 BTEC Science are not accepted as preparation for A Level Chemistry.
International qualifications
Strong performance in Grade 10 Chemistry and Mathematics, or local equivalent.
Diagnostic assessment
A short diagnostic may be used to confirm readiness, particularly for students joining from a non-UK curriculum.
If you are close to these requirements but not quite at them, speak to us. We would rather assess your readiness properly than turn you away on a single grade.
On completion you are awarded the AQA A-level Chemistry qualification (7405), graded A* to E, on the basis of three externally assessed written papers, plus the practical endorsement reported separately as Pass.
By the end of the course you will have:
You also leave with a portfolio of assessed work, including timed papers, practical records and marked scripts, which supports predicted grades, academic references and your UCAS application.
Where A Level Chemistry is essential
Chemistry is the most commonly required A Level in the health sciences. Verified 2027-entry requirements include:
A fact worth knowing
For Biochemistry it is Chemistry, not Biology, that is the required subject at both Oxford and Imperial. Biology is one of several acceptable second sciences.
Medicine is not uniform
UCL and Imperial require both Chemistry and Biology. Oxford and Cambridge require Chemistry with Biology optional. Manchester accepts either. Always check each medical school individually rather than assuming a common rule.
Subject combinations that work
Careers
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, pharmacy and pharmacology, chemical and process engineering, materials science, forensic science, environmental science, energy and battery technology, and research chemistry.
Progression support at LMSC
UCAS guidance and subject-combination advice, predicted grades supported by assessed evidence, academic references, help with admissions tests and interviews, and results-day support including Clearing.
University entry requirements change each cycle. Always check the current requirement on the university's own website before making decisions.
Explore other programmes that pair well with A Level Chemistry or extend your specialist focus.
Book a consultation for tailored guidance on admissions, timetable planning and portfolio preparation. We will map a personalised progression route for your ambitions.
Course highlights
What the course covers, how it is taught and what is included. These pages answer the other questions people ask about the same subject.
