Chemistry courses

Chemistry is the study of matter—the tiny building blocks that make up everything around (and in) us. Chemists study the way matter interacts with each other. As a chemist, you’ll often study how different forms of matter interact in a laboratory setting, but you might also undertake research outside the lab. There are plenty of varied career options awaiting graduates of chemistry.

Chemistry is a broad field. Some chemists study the specific chemistry of the human body, while others explore the chemistry of food or the natural environment. All forms of chemistry study require a basic understanding of lab techniques and the fundamentals of matter, elements, compounds, ions, reactions, bonding and molecules.

If you’re interested in studying chemistry, there are plenty of options. Through Open Universities Australia, you can study chemistry as a single subject, major in chemistry as part of a broader science degree or upskill in a specific niche.

Single subject study is a great way to determine if an area of study is right for you. It can also prepare you for a chemistry degree by giving you the chemistry fundamentals before you begin.

Alternatively, you can enrol in a broader science degree that includes chemistry subjects, like a Diploma or Bachelor of Science. From there, you will be eligible for further postgraduate study in chemistry, which may be required if you’d like to work in teaching or research.

While the actual study of chemistry mostly takes place in a laboratory, its impact is felt everywhere. Chemistry has been fundamental to humanity’s greatest successes, from space travel to disease management to newer breakthroughs like the COVID-19 vaccine. As a chemist, your work will contribute to furthering our understanding of the world around us.

Online study is flexible. Whether you’re juggling a career, part-time job or family commitments, you have the flexibility to complete your coursework at times that suit you. You can even pause your course between study periods if you need to prioritise other things happening in your life, and resume once you’re ready.

Online study also allows you to watch lectures and complete tutorial activities from anywhere, whether that’s the comfort of your home, at work on your lunch break, ensconced in your favourite café, or while travelling overseas.

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

• You can enrol without entry requirements We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.

• You have total control over how you study Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.

• You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.

• We’ll help you navigate the university world Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

The short answer is it depends. Whether you find chemistry difficult or not is entirely subjective. If you’re considering studying a chemistry course online, it seems safe to assume this area interests you, which means you may find it easier than someone with no interest in chemistry.

Being a chemist is more than just understanding how to work in a lab. You’ll need other essential skills like teamwork, excellent analytical skills, the ability to understand complex and theoretical concepts, attention to detail, and communication skills. Not to mention, you’ll need a sound understanding of mathematics.

While the stereotypical image of a chemist might be someone concocting all kinds of mixtures in a white lab coat and safety goggles, there’s more to chemistry than accidentally (or on purpose) blowing things up in a lab.

Chemists are hugely important in many fields, including healthcare, education, the environment and manufacturing. With a chemistry qualification, you might work as a:

• Chemical engineer

• Geochemist

• Toxicologist

• Medicinal chemist

• Clinical biochemist

• Research assistant/Researcher

• Science teacher 

• Science communicator

Chemistry is a fascinating field that can lead to a diverse and exciting career for the right candidate. If you’re unsure whether chemistry is right for you, consider enrolling in a single subject. This lets you get a feel for what studying chemistry might be like, but you don’t have to commit to a full qualification.

Book a call with one of our student advisors for advice about the kind of study that most suits your circumstances.

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.