About RSC Education

The RSC is the largest non-government supporter of chemistry education in the UK.  Our activities encompass formal and informal education from the cradle to the grave and are grouped into three key areas:

• Schools and colleges
• Higher Education (HE)
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)  

Schools and Colleges

We support the teaching of chemistry within the primary, secondary and post-16 phases. Our resources and materials are sent free to schools and colleges in the UK and Ireland. 

We strive to modernise curricula and work closely with the UK government, subject associations, professional bodies and learned societies to ensure a coherent approach to science education.

We encourage initiatives to attract students to the chemical sciences from all parts of society and raise awareness of potential careers. An advisory service and a variety of careers publications for students, parents and teachers are available.

We are the largest non-government provider of INSET (in-service training for teachers) in the UK, providing a range of workshops and residential courses aimed at updating teachers' chemistry knowledge and skills.

We also input into education policy. We respond to numerous consultations and work proactively by commissioning reports which provide hard, fact-driven evidence on current issues and problems.

Education in Chemistry is our bimonthly magazine we produce for teachers and lecturers that includes a pupil supplement aimed at 14 - 18 year olds.  This is sent free to secondary schools, colleges and universities throughout the UK and Ireland.

Higher Education

We promote diversity of course provision and have established a series of criteria to recognise and accredit a wide range of chemistry and other chemical science degrees.  

We work closely with the government and its agencies, employers and other organisations on issues which may impact on the education system for those intending to practice as chemical scientists.

We provide careers advice to HE students and those advising them on job and further study opportunities. This takes the form of guidance documents, industry tours and careers conferences.

CPD and Professional Practice

As part of our commitment to CPD we encourage our members to take advantage of personal development opportunities and to use our CPD framework. 

The professional designations of Chartered Chemist (CChem) and Chartered Scientist (CSci) are awarded to members who can demonstrate high levels of professionalism and competence. 

We also administer two indicative registers for Qualified Persons in the pharmaceutical industry and Analytical Chemists.