The most prestigious chemistry competition for high school students in UK

Administered by the Royal Society of Chemistry - one of the world's most influential chemistry organisations

Special opportunity for Chinese students to compete on the same problems as UK students

Awards provide evidence supporting applications to top universities

Date: Jan. 29, 2026 (Thurs.) 18:00-20:00 (120 mins)

UKChO China Camp Date: TBD

Introduction

The UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO) is hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The RSC, with headquarters in London and Cambridge, is one of the world's most influential chemistry organisations. With over 50,000 members and an international publishing and knowledge business, they are the UK's professional body for chemical scientists, supporting and representing their members and bringing together chemical scientists from all over the world.
The problems given in the UK Chemistry Olympiad often stimulate a lot of debate, raising awareness of what chemistry is all about. It provides a great opportunity for the students to develop and showcase some of the skills they'll need in university and beyond.
UKChO aims to offer keen students in China more opportunities to develop their chemistry knowledge and problem-solving skills. Through UKChO, Chinese students will have the opportunity to compete for gold, silver, and bronze awards.

Challenge Rules

Language

English

Date

Jan. 29, 2026 (Fri.) 18:00-20:00 (120 mins)

Location

Online test at schools only

Format

Individual

Participants

High school students

* Students possessing British school enrollment status are not allowed to participate in China

Problems

Approximately 5-6 analysis problems, each problem consists of 3-10 question parts (Subject to the actual paper)

Difficulty

High level of difficulty. The questions require A-level or equivalent chemistry knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to new situations and problems in a creative way.

Awards
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Bronze

(Grade boundaries for each award are set according to performance by students from UK. Typically, 60-65% of entrants in the UK gain at least a Bronze certificate, with the top 7-8% of UK entrants achieving Gold. Scores from competitors in China will receive awards according to these grade boundaries.)

Grading

All papers will be sent to the UK and graded by RSC-appointed examiners

UKChO China Camp

Language

English

Date

TBD

Participants

Gold Awards / Sliver Awards students in 2025 UKChO

Coaching Team

Chemistry professors, interviewers and scholars from top UK universities

Location

TBD

The St Catharine's College, Cambridge Chemistry Camp

Language

English

Date

TBD

Participants

Roentgenium Award / Gold Award / Silver Award winners in 2023 C3L6 and Gold Award winners in 2025 UKChO

Location

TBD

Requirements

Deadline

UKChO: Jan. 20, 2026

The St Catharine's College, Cambridge Chemistry Camp: TBD

UKChO China Camp: TBD

Participation quota

The St Catharine's College, Cambridge Chemistry Camp: 35 Students
UKChO China Camp：80 Students

UKChO winners can get up to￥7,500 Fitzwilliam Scholarship and ASEEDER Scholarship for the

Cambridge Fitzwilliam College Summer School

Official programme of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Up to 15 students per class, taught by Cambridge academics
A Certificate of Completion issued by Fitzwilliam College
A detailed written feedback from the academic instructor

Date and Courses

Age 14-15
Date: 2026. 7.12-7.25 (2 weeks)
Courses: Mathematics, Engineering, Business Economics, Natural Sciences (Biology, Medicine), Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry)

 

Age 16-18
Date: 2026. 7.12-7.25 (2 weeks) , 7.26-8.8 (2 weeks)
Courses: Physics, Financial Mathematics, Psychology and Neuroscience, Microbiology, Medicine, Economics, Engineering,Philosophy, Chemistry, Robotics

Outcomes

1.Students who attend at least 90% of the classes, write their essay and give their presentation will receive a certificate of completion by Fitzwiliam College.
2.Each student will write an academic research essay and presentation and receive detailed individual feedback from the academic course instructor.
3.Top 2 best performing students will receive an award certificate.
4.The authors of the best 2 essays will receive a top essay certificate and their essays will be published in the FitzEd summer school journal and displayed on Fitzwilliam College's website. More details>


Certificate of Completion issued by Fitzwilliam College,Cambridge


Award Certificate issued by Fitzwilliam College,Cambridge


Fitzwilliam Summer School Journal
The top 2 essays in each class will be published on the Fitzwilliam official website

Highlights

Graduation Ceremony – Receive an Official Certificate from Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge

Rigorous Academics – 15-Student Small Classes, 40+ Hours of Learning

Academic Supervision – Personalised Guidance from Cambridge Tutors (3–4 Students per Group)

Around 30–35% International Students in Previous Cohorts

 

Cambridge Undergraduate Life Mentors，Student-to-Mentor Ratio ~10:1

Formal Dinner – Engage with Cambridge Tutors and Exceptional Students

Sample Schedule
Date Morning Afternoon Evening Night
Day1 Arrival
Day2 Opening Ceremony: hosted by Cambridge professors and college managers.

Academic Course: taught by Cambridge Tutors (about 50% of them have Oxbridge interview experience)

 Academic Workshop or Campus Tour Punting
Day 3 Academic Course: taught by Cambridge Tutors (about 50% of them had Oxbridge interview experience) Welcome Reception and Formal Dinner
Day 4 Social events, sports night, Cambridge walking tour, and free time activities.

 
Day5
Day6 Supervision 01: the hallmark of Oxbridge teaching （ in group of 3-4)
Day7 London Excursion
Day8 College Culture and Social Activities
Day9 Academic Course: taught by Cambridge Tutors (about 50% of them have Oxbridge interview experience) Academic Workshop or Free Study

 
Day10
Day11 Presentation and Writing Guidance: The top 2 essays in each class will be published on the Fitzwilliam official website.
Day12 Supervision 02: the hallmark of Oxbridge teaching （ in group of 3-4)
Day13 Final Presentation Closing Ceremony Formal Dinner
Day14 Departure

*The schedule may be subject to change.

Sample Schedule

Selection Requirement

Candidates must satisfy one of the following:
1. Language Proficiency：Ages 14–15: IELTS ≥ 6.0 or TOEFL iBT ≥ 80; Ages 16–18: IELTS ≥ 6.5 or TOEFL iBT ≥ 90
2. English Interview: Candidates without a valid language score will be required to pass an English interview conducted by ASEEDER.

Scholarship：The Cambridge and ASEEDER scholarships can be used in combination.

1. Fitzwilliam College Scholarship (UK Summer School only, Up to 6,500RMB)
Directly awarded by Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge. Selected students will receive an exclusive scholarship offer letter via email before the programme begins. The scholarship amounts available to UKCHO award winners are as follows:
Gold Award: £ 700 (= RMB 6,500)
Silver Award: £ 600 (= RMB 5,500)
Bronze Award: £ 400 (= RMB 3,700)
For more criteria and award details, please visit the programme website: https://www.seedasdan.com/en/css/uk-en/

2. ASEEDER Scholarship (Up to 1,000 RMB )
lt is given by ASEEDER. You may getit if you join certain ASEEDER programmes or challenges and win awards. Check the ASEEDER bursary website (https://www.seedasdan.org/scholarship/) or yourASEEDER mini program for details.

Sample Problems

FAQ

1. Can the students bring a calculator ?

Students can bring a basic calculator (without any equation editor and program functions).

2. Can the students bring a dictionary ?

The students can bring a printed version dictionary.

3. Refund policy
If, for some reason, the student is unable to attend after paying the fee, please contact us. If you apply before the registration deadline, 25% of the registration fee will be deducted as academic materials and service fees. If you apply after the registration deadline, no refund will be given.
Northern Contact
Northern Region：
Beijing、Tianjin、Heilongjiang、Jilin、Liaoning、 Heibei、Inner Mongolia、Shanxi、Shandong
Eastern China Contact
Eastern Region：
Shanghai、Zhejiang、Jiangsu
Central China Contact
Central Region：
Henan
Southern China Contact
Southern Region：
Guangdong、Guangxi、Fujian、Hainan、Hongkong、Macao、Taiwan
Western China Contact
Western Region：
Chongqing、Sichuan、Yunnan、Guizhou、Shaanxi、Gansu、Qinghai、Tibet、Ningxia、Xinjiang
Central China Contact
Central Region：
Hunan、Hubei、Anhui、Jiangxi