About the UK Chemistry Olympiad

The 2012 competition is now open and the International final will be held in Washington DC, USA in July.

International Chemistry Olympiad - UK Post-16 Students

Each year we organise the selection of the UK team for this exciting competition. The successful students go on to take part in an international  final. 

The International Chemistry Olympiad offers a fantastic opportunity to travel and meet fellow chemistry enthusiasts from all over the world.

The INEOS Prize - win £1000

The 'INEOS prize' is an award for the best performing new school. Any state school that has not entered the UK Chemistry Olympiad more than once in the past five years will be eligible.

The student achieving the highest mark, from an eligible school, will win £1000 for their school chemistry department to spend on enhanced equipment or materials to help promote chemistry. 

Round I

The selection process is open to all post-16 students and we encourage entries from Lower and Upper Sixth students (and equivalent). It starts with Round I - a challenging written test of chemical knowledge, and quite an event in itself! Gold, silver and bronze certificates are awarded.

The questions posed in Round I often stimulate much debate on, and enthusiasm for, chemistry - raising awareness of what the subject is all about. Tackling the Round I paper also provides a good opportunity to develop some of the skills required for study at university and beyond. Students will sit the Round 1 paper between 30 January and 10 February 2012.

Round 2

The RSC Olympiad Selection Committee will select the top-performing students from Round 1 to participate in the Round 2 selection weekend. This weekend will combine both theoretical and practical testing to select 4 students to participate in the final. It will be held between 30 March and 1 April 2012.

The International Final

Turkey  played host to the 2011 Olympiad Final, with teams from 72 countries taking part. The UK team was once again extremely successful - picking up one gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
David Edey from Alcester Grammar School was placed 3rd in the world! 

The competition tests students' chemical knowledge and practical skills, but also allows time for social activities during the ten day event. All participants have the opportunity to experience the scenery, culture and history of the host country.