Chemistry degree or dentistry

Hi, I’m having a hard time choosing between a chemistry degree or dentistry at uni (im currently in yr12 and I do biology chemistry and psychology)
I definitely have the grades for both ALEVELS and GCSEs to do either of them, but I just don’t know which of the two I’d enjoy more.
I have done some research on dentistry and I feel like I might enjoy it - I watch YouTube videos on ‘day of a life of a dental student’. I understand that dentistry is over glamourfied - if that’s a word but I’ve always had an interest on the human body.
Thing is, there are many downsides to dentistry: some being that further down the line if I don’t enjoy it, I can’t really get out of it.

On the other hand, chemistry does seem really interesting too. I do kind of enjoy it at alevel. However, what job could I actually get with a chemistry degree. That bit terrifies me: what if I get a chemistry degree and can’t get a job?

Reply 1

meaghan sharp

11

Do you have any opportunities to do some work experience in either sector? Talking directly with people who have gone into each profession can shape how you feel. Dentistry will always be in need and could help you if you ever wanted to move to other countries (ie shortlist visa programs). I think that you would learn a lot of transferable skills as a dentist. Chemistry in general may lead you into pharmaceuticals, engineering, research, teaching, mining, and crime scene investigation. I think that the list is very long, it all depends on what the Uni course focuses on and what experiences you seek out. If you have some uni's that you are considering ask if they have student reps from the course that would be willing to talk to you.

Basically, I think the more information that you have from other people's lived experiences and your own the more you will be able to make a decision.

Reply 2

hadi_

5

With dentistry I don’t think u should be too confident of getting in because it is one of the hardest courses to get in, if i can ask what are GCSEs and a level grades?

Reply 3

University of Kent Reps

Official Rep

16

Original post by harlz_chalamet

Hi, I’m having a hard time choosing between a chemistry degree or dentistry at uni (im currently in yr12 and I do biology chemistry and psychology)
I definitely have the grades for both ALEVELS and GCSEs to do either of them, but I just don’t know which of the two I’d enjoy more.
I have done some research on dentistry and I feel like I might enjoy it - I watch YouTube videos on ‘day of a life of a dental student’. I understand that dentistry is over glamourfied - if that’s a word but I’ve always had an interest on the human body.
Thing is, there are many downsides to dentistry: some being that further down the line if I don’t enjoy it, I can’t really get out of it.

On the other hand, chemistry does seem really interesting too. I do kind of enjoy it at alevel. However, what job could I actually get with a chemistry degree. That bit terrifies me: what if I get a chemistry degree and can’t get a job?

Hi,
There are plenty of jobs that you can get with a chemistry degree and it is very highly regarded in the work field. If you are worried about commitment you may have to search into dentistry more before you make heavy commitments.
This link shows you different jobs that you can go into with chemistry https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemistry
As previously said, dentistry is a very hard and a long course to take, with chemistry you can choose to do a masters in something else if you do decide to refine your qualifications (though dentistry is separate)
Hope this helps!
- Malek
University of Kent Rep

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

15

Original post by harlz_chalamet

Hi, I’m having a hard time choosing between a chemistry degree or dentistry at uni (im currently in yr12 and I do biology chemistry and psychology)
I definitely have the grades for both ALEVELS and GCSEs to do either of them, but I just don’t know which of the two I’d enjoy more.
I have done some research on dentistry and I feel like I might enjoy it - I watch YouTube videos on ‘day of a life of a dental student’. I understand that dentistry is over glamourfied - if that’s a word but I’ve always had an interest on the human body.
Thing is, there are many downsides to dentistry: some being that further down the line if I don’t enjoy it, I can’t really get out of it.

On the other hand, chemistry does seem really interesting too. I do kind of enjoy it at alevel. However, what job could I actually get with a chemistry degree. That bit terrifies me: what if I get a chemistry degree and can’t get a job?

Hi @harlz_chalamet

I'm currently a second-year Chemistry student at Lancaster university. I really like it. There's such a broad range of subjects that you can study and then choose to specialise in later so I'm sure you could find some area that you love.

Chemistry is a really good degree to choose if you don't know what you want to do as a career because it teaches you a lot of versatile skills like problem-solving and logical thinking. There are the obvious careers that you can go into like a research scientist or chemistry teacher but there are a whole host of other ones like CSI, forensic scientist, toxicologist and scientific writer. I have linked the prospects career page which has a couple more jobs listed but there is a whole host of options open to you. It also has some statistics on employment after graduation which I hope would put your mind at ease. https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/chemistry.

Ultimately, choose what you are going to enjoy studying as it will be your life for at leat three years.

Good luck choosing
-Beth :smile:

(Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 5

harlz_chalamet

OP

20

Original post by hadi_

With dentistry I don’t think u should be too confident of getting in because it is one of the hardest courses to get in, if i can ask what are GCSEs and a level grades?

Hi,
GCSE grades are 9999988887 (all 9s in science 9 in maths) the 7 is in french

Alevel I’m predicted all A*s atm but I am only in yr12. I’m doing biology chemistry and psychology