The British Chemistry Olympiad is one of the UK’s most respected chemistry competitions for secondary school students. The BCO goes beyond the GCSE and A Level syllabus in Chemistry, testing students’ abilities in applying existing knowledge to real-world situations, their critical problem-solving skills and creativity in answering challenging questions.
The competition is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and a small number of applicants are invited to represent the United Kingdom at the International Chemistry Olympiad, which involves between 80 and 90 countries worldwide.
The BCO consists of two rounds: Round 1 is a 2 hour written paper with multiple sections, designed to stretch even the strongest chemistry students. Tens of thousands of students from over 1000 schools have entered Round 1 in recent years, which has been seeing rapidly growing participation. A small number of students are invited to Round 2, and from this, around 4 students are chosen to compete in the ICO.
BCO papers reward clear reasoning and insight as much as giving the correct answers. Marks are awarded for method, explanations, and the application of chemical principles.
Who Can Take Part in the Chemistry Olympiad?
The British Chemistry Olympiad can be taken by UK-based students in Year 13 or below, with the vast majority of participants being A Level students in Years 12 and 13, though exceptionally strong younger students can also enter. Teachers must register students on the RSC website, and international schools in a large number of Asian countries may also enter through ASDAN China; students may not enter themselves individually.
There are no requirements for students to enter, such as having entered the Junior Chemistry Challenge (which is aimed at students between the ages of 13 to 16). However, students who perform strongly at A Level Chemistry are often encouraged by teachers to take part.
BCO Round 1 vs Round 2
The British Chemistry Olympiad consists of two main stages before international team selection.
Round 1 is a written paper held in January, taken under exam conditions at the candidate’s school. It lasts two hours and includes a variety of challenging problems that require prior knowledge of the A Level syllabus, as well as multiple-step reasoning and creative problem solving skills. Questions typically focus on topics covered within the final year of Chemistry A Level, so academically-confident Year 12s can perform well, whereas GCSE students often find the subject matter too challenging. Papers are marked by teachers, who submit scores to the organisers.
Round 2 usually takes place over a long weekend in April; up to 30 of the highest-scoring students from Round 1 are invited to take part. It combines practical and theoretical assessments, along with lessons and demonstrations on new material by respected chemists. The Round 2 material typically goes well beyond the standard A Level syllabus. At the end of the weekend, four students are chosen to represent the UK at the International Chemistry Olympiad later in the year, before which there are intensive training camps to prepare.
Awards and Recognition in the British Chemistry Olympiad
The vast majority of entrants to the BCO qualify for awards and recognition. There are three awards students may achieve at Round 1: gold, silver or bronze, and grade boundaries are set each year by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Though these numbers are approximate and vary annually, 10% of students typically achieve a gold award, 25% achieve a silver award and 30% achieve a bronze award. Achieving any award at the BCO is a huge accomplishment due to the difficulty of the tests, as they are known to make A Level papers look straightforward.
In recent years, gold grade boundaries have been set surprisingly low relative to the total marks available, highlighting the difficulty of the paper.
Why is the BCO Important and How Does it Help With University Applications?
The British Chemistry Olympiad is well-regarded by universities, showing genuine academic curiosity and exceptional problem-solving ability. A strong performance shows that a student can tackle challenging questions creatively, apply known theory to unfamiliar problems and communicate scientific reasoning clearly.
These traits are particularly important for applicants to competitive universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group institutions, where aptitude beyond the A Level syllabus is highly valued. The style of thinking required in the BCO can mirror the analytical reasoning expected in Oxbridge interviews, as well as in undergraduate chemistry, natural sciences, medicine, and engineering courses.
Even without a top award from Round 1, participation demonstrates commitment to chemistry beyond the classroom, which can significantly aid a personal statement.
What Topics Appear in the British Chemistry Olympiad?
Much like the British Physics Olympiad or the British Biology Olympiad, the BCO does not follow a specific syllabus. However, questions are typically rooted in core A Level Chemistry topics, though they extend well beyond the A Level syllabus into undergraduate chemistry material. Topics may include:
- Physical chemistry (thermodynamics, equilibria, kinetics)
- Organic chemistry (reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, synthesis)
- Inorganic chemistry (periodicity, coordination chemistry)
- Acid–base chemistry and redox processes
- Data analysis
Students are not expected to memorise obscure facts; they are assessed on how well they can reason from fundamental principles.
How to Prepare for the British Chemistry Olympiad
Preparation for the BCO is different from revising for GCSE or A Level exams, as success depends far more on developing problem-solving skills than rote learning, though a thorough knowledge of the A Level syllabus significantly helps students.
The most effective strategy for preparation would be to work through past British Chemistry Olympiad Round 1 papers, which are publicly available, as well as their respective mark schemes. Students should practise writing full, structured solutions with clear explanations, and should resist the temptation to go straight to the mark scheme when presented with a challenging question, as students often explore various approaches to a question before arriving at the answer, so students should become used to this process. However, mark schemes can of course be hugely helpful, particularly as explanations are clearly laid out.
Consistent preparation over several months is generally much more effective than last-minute cramming, as developing problem-solving skills for this paper can be challenging and time-consuming.
Recommended Resources
Useful resources for BCO preparation include:
- British Chemistry Olympiad past papers and mark schemes
- A Level Chemistry textbooks (particularly those with extension material)
- Olympiad-style problem books such as Chemical Principles collections
- Online chemistry forums and Olympiad discussion groups
Extension classes, chemistry clubs, or working with an experienced chemistry tutor can also be extremely beneficial.
FAQs
How hard is the BCO?
The BCO is significantly harder than A Level Chemistry. Questions require thorough understanding of chemical principles, extended reasoning, and confident written explanations.
How do you qualify for BCO?
Students are entered by their school; there is no separate qualification process.
Is BCO useful for Oxbridge?
The competition is highly respected and aligns closely with the style of thinking required in Oxbridge interviews.
How long should you prepare for the BCO?
Ideally, students prepare consistently over six to twelve months, initially developing a strong knowledge and understanding of the A Level syllabus before tackling Olympiad-level problems.
Can Year 9 students aim for BCO?
Most candidates are in Year 13 or 12; younger students who have not encountered A Level material are likely to struggle with the BCO.
Tutors for the Chemistry Olympiad
For many years, Keystone have provided Chemistry tutors for the British Chemistry Olympiad, who have experience with Olympiad-style problem solving and can guide students through the process. For more details on how Keystone can help with BCO preparation, feel free to call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.