Pre-arrival information for undergraduate chemistry students

Congratulations on securing your place to study with us in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences - we can’t wait to meet you! On this page you’ll find useful information and tasks to help make your transition to university as smooth as possible.

We know it’s a busy and exciting time for you, and we want to make preparing for starting your degree as straightforward as possible. This pre-arrival page is just for new chemistry students. Here you’ll find information and tasks to complete specific to you and your course.

Your checklist

Complete your registration

The first thing you need to do is complete your registration.

Choose your modules

You will take 120 credits worth of modules in each academic year, some modules are compulsory (core modules) and some can be chosen from a specific list (optional modules). All our chemistry courses have the same set of core modules in the first year, with specialisation entering in later years. You will also choose one 10 credit optional module.

At the beginning of September, you’ll receive an email notifying you to select your optional modules using online module selection as part of your pre-registration tasks. A link to the Online Module Choice system will also appear within the pre-registration system.

Don’t worry if you’re undecided about your optional modules, you can change them at any time during the first two weeks of each semester. The important thing is that you are enrolled in 120 credits of modules, as this will enable you to complete your registration.

Welcome Week timetable

There are lots of events taking place across the University during Welcome Week. Here’s a list of the events that are specifically for chemistry students. These are compulsory and will ensure you get the best start to your time at Sheffield.

Please note that this timetable might change before you arrive, so make sure you keep checking back!

Monday 22 September 2025: Welcome to the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Time: 9am
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Welcome to chemistry
Time: 10am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 3
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Meet your academic tutor
Time: 11.10am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 3
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Orientation: Scavenger hunt
Time: 2pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Tuesday 23 September 2025: Introduction to the English Language Teaching Centre
Time: 12pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Please note, this session is aimed at students who have English as a second language. If English is your first language, there is no need for you to attend this session.
EDI and wellbeing in the School of Mathematical and Physical Science
Time: 2pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
University of Sheffield culture training
Time: 3pm
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Wednesday 24 September 2025: Your chemistry community
Time: 11am
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre 3
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Thursday 25 September 2025: Introduction to labs and lab safety
Time: 9am
Location: Richard Roberts, Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Guided tour of the labs
Time: 11am
Location: Richard Roberts, Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Friday 26 September 2025: Learning essentials
Time: 11am
Location: Students' Union, Nelson Mandela Auditorium
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps
Chemistry course details and logistics
Time: 12pm
Location: Hicks, Lecture Theatre A
Get directions via Google Maps / Apple Maps

Useful information

Recommended reading

The four core textbooks for your Chemistry course are provided free of charge. You will collect them during Welcome Week.

We recommend you read the first chapter of the core first year text, Chemistry 3, before teaching starts on Monday 30 September to prepare yourself for your course. You can access the core first year text here. Please note, you won’t be able to access the recommended reading until you have fully registered with the University and have a full University MUSE and email (Gmail) account.