One of most prestigious Chemistry competition in the world

Hosted by the Department of Chemistry and St. Catherine's College, University of Cambridge

Highly recommended Super-curricular for high school students by University of Cambridge

UKChO (UK Chemistry Olympiad) is the continuation competition of C3L6

Over 10,000 students attending each year with over 60% winning rate

Essential to application for the UK top universities

Date: Jun. 5, 2025

Introduction

The Cambridge Chemistry Challenge (C3L6) is a global challenge for high school students co-sponsored by the Department of Chemistry and St Catharine's College at the University of Cambridge. It is officially recommended by the University of Cambridge as a high school academic program. C3L6 is a highly valued chemistry challenge for UK high schools, with over 10,000 students participating each year, and is often used as a pre-test for the UKChO (UK Chemistry Olympiad). It is aimed at high school students up to Year 11 and designed to extend chemistry knowledge in a challenging but fun way.

C3L6 is based on A-level chemistry knowledge, but is more diffcult than A-level and examines students' ability to apply their A-level chemistry knowledge in a flexible way. It is a highly rewarding challenge for students who want to explore the field of Chemistry further and its results are highly sought after by the world's leading universities. In the UK, the C3L6 invites no more than 60 top students each year to a residential camp at the University of Cambridge. Designed and taught by Cambridge professors, the camp aims to enhance the academic ability of young elites in Chemistry and to encourage and help outstanding students to understand and choose to study at Cambridge in the future.

Rules

Language

English

Date

Jun. 5, 2025 17:00-18:30 (90min)

Location

Online

Format

Individual test

Content 

Test papers consists of 2-3 general chemistry questions with a dozen related sub-questions

Topics 

A-Level Chemistry Course

 

Awards

  • Roentgenium Award
  • Gold Award
  • Silver Award
  • Copper Award

Grading

All papers will be sent back to the University of Cambridge for assessment, with marks set by the University of Cambridge and results expected to be issued within 60 days after the exam

The St Catharine's College, Cambridge Chemistry Camp

Language

English

Date

28th July-7th August, 2024

Location

St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge, UK

Participation

Roentgenium Award / Gold Award / Silver Award winners in 2023 C3L6 and Gold Award winners in 2024 UKChO

 

Schedule

Cambridge Chemistry Camp Special Moments

C3L6 China Camp

Language

English

Date

9th August-13th August, 2024

Location

Beijing,China

Participation

The Roentgenium Award / Gold Award students in 2024 C3L6

 

Requirements

Deadline

The St Catharine's College, Cambridge Chemistry Camp:April 1st,2024
C3L6 China Camp:TBD

Participation quota

The St Catharine's College, Cambridge Chemistry Camp:35 Students
C3L6 China Camp:60 Students

Exam Centers

ASDAN EPQ Scholarship

3000RMB/std

Gold

2000RMB/std

Silver

1000RMB/std

Bronze

Noted:The ASDAN Scholarship is only available to Year 10, 11 and 12 students for participating ASDAN Extended Project Qualification(EPQ). EPQ is recommended by the G5 group and many leading universities as a competitive academic experience. Scholarships cannot be exchanged for cash. For further details see:http://www.seedasdan.org/epq/

Sample Problems