About the UK Chemistry Olympiad

The 2013 competition will open for registration in October.

The final of the 2013 competition will be held in Moscow.

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 late January 2013.

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 late March/early April 2013.

The International Final

The United States of America played host to the 2012 Olympiad Final, with teams from 72 countries taking part. The UK team was once again extremely successful - picking up two silver and two bronze medals.

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.