master research project rug chemistry

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Sustainable and Circular Chemistry

Part 1: project proposal.

The process described on this page follows after the process in the step Getting started . The duration of the Research Project starts now.

Follow the instructions on this page to complete Part 1: Project proposal.

Master research chemistry part 1 consists out of:.

• an introduction to the research project and an introduction to research
• writing your research proposal
• initiating the research project
• presentation where you present the preliminary findings

This comprises 15 EC or 10 weeks of full-time work and concludes with a Go/No-Go decision towards part 2. 

You have to show that:

• you know the goals of the research project; this includes translation of a problem in your research field into a relevant research question and design;
• you have obtained first results and have analysed them and can present them in a comprehensible way;
• you have a clear strategy for the second part of the research project.

The research group decides who will join your presentation. The second examiner will co-assess the presentation together with your project supervisor who is also the first examiner. The presentation intends to assess your work and your understanding of the project, not your presentation skills. However, feedback on presentation techniques can be part of the feedback.

What do I need to do if my Research Project gets delayed?

This is what you need to do if you foresee a delay of your Research Project or extension/addition to the project is necessary.

The protocol*

• The student and examiners need to finish the Research Project before the in Osiris Zaak specified end date. The end date is the last date by which the final grade is determined. The end date is based on full-time study.
• If the end date cannot be met, the student, first and second examiner agree on a new end date. This new end date will be passed on to the Board of Examiners by the student via Osiris Student > ‘My Cases’> ‘Start Case’  > ‘Request to the Board of Examiners’ > ‘request type 7 'Delay of research or thesis project' . This needs to happen before the initial end date is reached. Valid reasons for agreeing on a new end date can be both personal circumstances and research-related circumstances.
• The student and examiners can impose an examination on the agreed end date. In the case the other party does not agree with this, they can turn to the programme leader. A student who due to circumstances beyond their control cannot be present during examination can request the Board of Examiners for a special testing provision.

The student and/or examiners can turn to the Board of Examiners in cases of disagreement on the implementation of this protocol or other conflicts not covered by this protocol. In these cases, the Board of Examiners decides in line with the spirit of this protocol.

*This protocol is translated from the Dutch version in the EER/OER and no rights can be derived from any errors in translation.

Grade and written explanation

You will receive feedback after the presentation, followed by a written explanation on the assessment form (see example of assessment form  of Part 1, this may slightly differ from the one in Osiris Student). The supervisor(s) are strongly advised to use the graduate school’s rubrics for feedback. The project supervisor/first examiner will fill out the ‘Assessment Form Part 1 Research Project’ in Osiris Case. Once this is complete, your second examiner will be asked, in Osiris Case, if they agree with the assessment. After your second examiner has approved the final assessment, then the Student Desk will register your grade for Part 1.

Go or No Go decision

The idea of the assessment of Part 1 is primarily a Go or No Go decision. There are three options:

• Sufficient: means that you automatically continue with part 2. 
• Insufficient with re-take exam : means that your project supervisor/first examiner explains which parts need to be improved. A new date to assess part 1 has to be defined to evaluate the unsatisfactory parts. Your (first) supervisor/first examiner will send an update of the grade to the Student Desk.
• Insufficient without re-take exam (fail) : means that you have failed on the above-mentioned learning goals and have to abort the research project. Your project supervisor/first examiner will report his/her findings to the programme director who will invite you and the Study Advisor. The programme board decides whether starting up a new project at another group within the Institute of Sustainable and Circular Chemistry or Debye Institute for Materials Science will make sense.

Proceed to ' Part 2: Thesis and final assessment ' ⋙

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Chemistry Master of Research (MRes)

• Full-time: 12 months
• Part-time: Not available
• Start date: September 2025
• UK fees: £5,350
• International fees: £30,200 or £35,750 depending on the nature of your project
• Entry requirements: 2:2 in an MSci/MChem or BSc degree

Course overview

This MRes in Chemistry is a 12 month research-based masters leading to the award of a Master of Research. Students from countries that are not familiar with the MRes qualification may, alternatively, be awarded an MSc by Research.

• Are you driven to find clean energy sources?
• Do you want to help in the fight to develop new medicines?
• Are you passionate about sustaining a growing population?

This full-time, project-based MRes will help you achieve your goals.

The research project is the focus of the programme. You will be part of the team collaborating and working within a dedicated scientific group. Working in a research environment, our academic experts will guide and mentor you. The twelve-month project allows you to make a valuable contribution to research. You’ll gain report writing skills and produce your own thesis with a maximum of 35,000 words, which will be assessed. 

Research projects available

We conduct pioneering research across the whole spectrum of the chemical sciences. There are a variety of projects you can apply for grouped under four themes:

Synthesis and catalysis

Biological chemistry, molecular bonding and spectroscopy.

See full details of the projects available and supervising academics .

You will have at least 10 documented meetings with your supervisor a year but you can typically expect to see them daily or weekly.

Other school staff are available to support you:

• Director of Postgraduate Studies
• Senior Tutor (for pastoral support)
• Welfare Manager
• Disability Liaison Officer

The school has a postgraduate forum run by students to discuss anything related to their studies.

We have a student-run society called ChemSoc. They organise academic and social activities.

Exploring sustainable chemistry

Dr Miriam O'Duill brings her passion for research and commitment to sustainable chemistry to the forefront of our MRes programme. Hear about the dynamic interaction with the research group students, hands-on laboratory experiences and collaborative learning options.

Why choose this course?

Supportive environment.

Join a research team, work alongside PhD students and post-doctoral staff

Modern facilities

World class research space and instrumentation

including GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratory, Biodiscovery Institute, Nanoscale & Microscale Research Centre

World leading research

Join an ‘internationally excellent’ research environment (REF 2021).

Fix global challenges

Work with colleagues using advanced science to solve global problems

Course content

The research project is the focus of the MRes. You will produce your own thesis of up to 35,000 words, which will be assessed.

Research themes, projects and supervisors

• Total Synthesis of the Marine Alkaloid Pinnarine and Related Natural Products.
• Supervising academic: Professor Robert Stockman
• Development of photochemical strategies for the functionalisation of alkenes using nitrogen-centred radicals.
• Supervising academic: Dr James Cuthbertson
• Supervising academic: Professor Simon Woodward
• Total synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Neuro regenerative Natural Products.
• Supervising academic: Professor Ross Denton
• Concise synthesis of alkaloid-like molecules from pyridines.
• Supervising academic: Dr James Dowden
• Computational organic reaction modelling and design.
• Supervising academic: Dr Kristaps Ermanis
• From palladium to iodine - towards sustainable catalysis.
• Supervising academic: Dr Miriam O’Duill
• Green Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Machine Learning for Process Control
• Supervising academics: Professor Mike George and Professor Martyn Poliakoff
• Development of new transition-metal-catalysed enantioselective reactions
• Supervising academic: Professor Hon Wai Lam
• Enzymatically synthesised biodegradable polymers for biomedicine applications
• Supervising academic: Dr Vincenzo Taresco
• From 2D to 3D: Organobismuth reagents for the selective synthesis of complex molecules
• Supervising academic: Dr Liam Ball
• Supervising academic: Dr Luisa Ciano
• Supervising academic: Professor Jonathan Hirst
• Supervising academic: Dr Nick Mitchell
• Supervising academic: Dr Ellis O’Neill
• Development of a targeted drug delivery system for anti-cancer agents from a self-assembling protein nanocage
• Supervising academic: Professor Neil Thomas
• Synthesis, analysis and application of nanomaterials for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to value products.
• Supervising academic: Professor Andrei Khlobystov
• Renewable Monomers and Polymers; helping society make the best use of plastics.
• Supervising academic: Professor Steve Howdle
• Self-assembled metal-organic cages for catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery.
• Supervising academic: Dr Ben Pilgrim
• Synthesis and characterisation of hybrid organic-inorganic clusters for coupled electrocatalysis
• Supervising academic: Professor Elena Besley
• Development of electrolytes and additive for automotive batteries
• Supervising academic: Dr Lee Johnson
• Quantum pseudohalides magnets.
• Supervising academic: Dr Matthew Cliffe
• Introducing heterogeneous photocatalysts into flow chemistry processes
• Supervising academic: Dr Anabel Lanterna
• Supervising academic: Dr Rabi Pun
• Computational modelling of solvation entropy.
• Supervising academic: Professor Richard Wheatley
• The study of ionic liquids for thermal transfer
• Supervising academic Professor Pete Licence

Learning and assessment

How you will learn.

There are no taught modules. You can attend lectures and seminars, taught as part of the School of Chemistry’s standard integrated MSci degree programme .

You are also welcome to select other postgraduate taught modules alongside your research project.

Learn new skills using instrumentation and expanding your scientific knowledge each day, as you progress through your research project.

You will regularly meet with your supervisor both informally and during formal documented meetings. 

How you will be assessed

Your assessment is by a written thesis of up to 35,000 words which is examined by an internal and external examiner. The research project is worth up to 180 credits. 

Contact time and study hours

Entry requirements.

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

• Home / UK students
• EU / International students

Alternative qualifications

Applications are initially assessed and successful applicants are then invited to an interview. 

Applications are initially assessed and successful applicants are then invited to an interview. If you're not in the UK then this can be done through a video call.

Meeting our English language requirements

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our  Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.

We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.

If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us .

The application procedure is straight forward and similar to a PhD. You can apply at any time. We recommend you contact potential supervisor(s) to find out more about the research projects available before making your application.

Please get in touch with the Postgraduate Admissions Tutor Professor Ross Denton ( [email protected] ) if you have any questions or require more information about the projects available to Master of Research (MRes) students.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

You may be able to get a Postgraduate Masters Loan from the government. Check eligibility and how much you could get .

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

• Careers advice
• Job prospects

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students .

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route . Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

This programme is ideal for students who have already completed a BSc degree and want to gain skills, knowledge and experience in a research environment.

A research degree gives you transferable skills in communication, problem-solving, time management and analysis.

Previous postgraduates have taken up roles including:

• Research Chemist, Pfizer USA

Others have pursued research careers doing PhDs here at Nottingham in the School of Pharmacy and the School of Chemistry.

Career progression

90% of postgraduates in the School of Chemistry secured work or further study within 15 months of graduating. The average annual salary for these graduates was £30,053*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2019/20 data published in 2022. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.

Related courses

Chemistry phd.

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national grading system, introduced by the government in England. It assesses the quality of undergraduate teaching at universities and how well they ensure excellent outcomes for their students in terms of graduate-level employment or further study.

This content was last updated on Monday 13 May 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.

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Chemistry with External Placement (MChem)

Chemistry with External Placement (MChem) starting September 2023 for 4 years

About this course

Our MChem Chemistry degree with research project abroad or industry experience is the first of its kind in the UK. It allows you to combine your degree with 6 months of industrial experience, or a research placement abroad at an overseas university. This degree is designed for ambitious undergraduates with academic or commercial research aspirations. You'll benefit from excellent career development opportunities and advanced practical training.

You’ll use state of the art equipment in our range of laboratories. These include the single crystal diffraction lab, the mass spectrometry lab and the only dedicated X-ray crystallography teaching facility in a UK university.

If you choose a placement in industry, you'll develop work experience, skills and awareness from spending time in a commercial environment. You'll also build key contacts.

If you choose to take an overseas university placement instead, you'll experience life abroad while working on an advanced research project in the university’s laboratories.

Both placement opportunities will stand out on your CV and impress employers. You’ll also have the support of our dedicated placement tutor throughout your time away from Southampton.

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry . When you graduate you'll be eligible for full membership status (MRSC).

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes .

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

MChem Chemistry programmes with placements

Learn more about this subject area.

Chemistry and chemical engineering

Course location.

This course is based at Highfield .

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Entry requirements

For academic year 202526.

AAA including chemistry or AAB including chemistry and one additional science subject

A-levels additional information

Accepted A-level science subjects include biology, human biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, psychology, geography and geology. General Studies, Critical Thinking and use of mathematics are excluded for entry. A pass in all science practical components is required where applicable.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAB including chemistry, plus grade A in the EPQ or ABB including chemistry and an additional science subject, plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 points at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in chemistry or Pass, with 34 points overall with 6,6,5 in three Higher Level subjects including chemistry and an additional science subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Accepted science subjects include biology, human biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, psychology, geography and geology.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International baccalaureate career programme (ibcp) statement.

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus A in A-level chemistry and A in an additional A-level subject. DD in BTEC National Diploma plus grade A in A-level chemistry. We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level chemistry.

Additional information

Accepted A-level science subjects include biology, human biology, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, psychology, geography and geology. General Studies, Critical Thinking and use of mathematics are excluded for entry. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.Applicants who have not studied A-level chemistry can apply for the Science Foundation Year. .

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus A in A-level chemistry and A in an additional A-level subject. DD in the BTEC Diploma plus grade A in A-level chemistry. We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-level chemistry.

Access to HE Diploma

Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma should apply for BSc Chemistry

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish leaving certificate (first awarded 2017).

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including chemistry or H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including chemistry and an additional science subject

Irish certificate additional information

Accepted science subjects include applied mathematics, biology, mathematics, physics and geography

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the  University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF)  for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including chemistry or D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects including chemistry and an additional science subject

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Accepted science subjects include biology, mathematics, physics, psychology and geography. Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A-levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAA from three A-levels including chemistry or AA from two A-levels including chemistry and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate or AAB including chemistry and one additional science subject or AA from two A-levels including chemistry and one additional science subject, and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh baccalaureate contextual offer.

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Not accepted for this course.

Other requirements

• UK students
• Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 6/B). Grade 7/A in GCSE mathematics is preferred for applicants not studying A-level mathematics

Find the  equivalent international qualifications  for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:

• our Ignite your Journey scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
• skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning )

Find out more about our Admissions Policy .

For Academic year 202425

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: AAB, including chemistry or ABB, including chemistry and one additional science subject

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email:  [email protected] Tel:  +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

This 4-year degree will provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical training in all aspects of chemistry, and develop your understanding of its impact on modern society.

A key feature of this course is the 6-month placement at an overseas university, or within industry worldwide.

You'll get a thorough grounding in all aspects of chemistry with a comprehensive set of core modules. You can also shape your degree to suit your interests by choosing from a wide range of optional modules.

Year 1 overview

You'll study a set of core topics that are essential to your developing knowledge, giving you a solid grounding in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Topics include:

• Molecular Structure
• Thermodynamics
• Atomic Structure
• Chemistry of the Elements

You can also choose options from the wider university including mathematics, physics, biology and languages.

Year 2 overview

You'll study core topics in chemistry such as:

• Organic Reaction Mechanisms and Organic Synthesis
• Atomic and Molecular Interactions, Change and Equilibrium
• Symmetry in Chemistry
• Transition of Metal and Organometallic Compounds
• Bonding Theories of Solid-State Chemistry

You can also choose from options that may include:

• Mathematical Methods in Chemistry
• Ethics in Sciences
• Engineering and Technology
• Aquatic Chemistry and Pharmacology

Year 3 overview

You'll take advanced modules in the core practical and theoretical areas of chemistry such as:

• Pigments and F-block Chemistry
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Electrochemistry, Energy Storage, Pollution Control and Fuel Cells
• Organometallic Chemistry
• DNA and RNA
• UV/visible Spectroscopy and Quadrupolar NMR
• Kinetics of Interface Chemistry (gas/solid, liquid/solid)

In the advanced practical module you'll do research-oriented, open-ended experiments. These will allow you to develop new practical skills, manage your own learning and present your results.

You can also select 3 optional chemistry modules from a choice of 8, including Medicinal Chemistry, Sustainable Chemistry and Atmospheric Chemistry.

Year 4 overview

Your 6-month work placement in industry, or research project at an overseas university , will take place from July to December.

Previous placement locations include:

• University of Sydney
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• AkzoNobel (Netherlands)
• Johnson Matthey (UK)

When you return to Southampton in semester 2, you'll complete advanced modules such as:

• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Macrocyclic Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• NMR Spectroscopy
• Natural Products and Pharmaceuticals
• Energy Applications of Electrochemistry
• X-ray Crystallographic Techniques

Want more detail?  See all the modules in the course.

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes .

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Analytical Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry is a measurement science consisting of a set of powerful ideas and methods that provide qualitative or quantitative information about the chemical composition of a sample. Analytical measurements are required in a wide range of fields...

Fundamentals of Kinetics and Quantum Mechanics

Physical Chemistry is concerned with the application of physics to the study of chemical systems. Through physical chemistry one can understand and predict the behaviour of chemical systems, thereby allowing these systems to be optimised. This module will...

Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry

Fundamentals of thermodynamics and equilibrium, introduction to practical chemistry i.

This course is an introduction to practical chemistry, involving direct laboratory teaching (with detailed instructions) of a range of basic skills to set foundations for further learning. It includes the teaching of common experimental techniques, use of...

Introduction to Practical Chemistry II

This course follows on from CHEM1051 and teaches slightly more advanced basic skills, with the application of the Semester 1 skills and knowledge. More complex work-ups will be undertaken, with more emphasis on student input (or decision making) in the pr...

Main Group and Transition Metal Chemistry

This module will provide an introduction into the fundamentals of main group and transition metal chemistry, and introduce NMR.

Mathematical Methods in Chemistry I

The module provides advanced mathematics training necessary for students planning to specialise in physical chemistry, computational chemistry, spectroscopy, data science and quantitative finance. It also aims to provide training of rational reasoning ski...

Mathematical Skills for Chemists

Reactions in organic chemistry, structure and bonding, year 2 modules.

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Coordination Chemistry

This module will build on the principles of Transition Metal chemistry covered in Part 1. Through developing a molecular orbital approach, you will be taken from the basics of ligand interactions and binding modes to understanding a transition metal's...

General Practical Chemistry I

General practical chemistry ii, quantum mechanics and molecular spectroscopy.

Physical Chemistry is concerned with the application of physics to the study of chemical systems. Through physical chemistry one can understand and predict the behaviour of chemical systems, thereby allowing these systems to be optimised. This module prov...

Reaction Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry

Retrosynthesis and aromatics, solid state and organometallic chemistry.

In this module you will learn about the fundamental theory of bonding in solids – band theory, and show how this can be used to understand the optical, magnetic and optical properties of solid phase materials. You will also be taught about X-ray diffracti...

Thermodynamics and Kinetics

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

Chemical Solutions to Environmental Issues

Human society has many negative environmental effects, we will focus on the background chemistry involved in three main themes including the use of agrochemicals, herbicides and pesticides in food production, plastic production and waste, and also carbon ...

Coevolution of Life and Earth

Creating an atmosphere: from pea-soupers to climate change.

The chemical and photochemical processes that occur in the atmosphere at different altitudes have profound and fundamental effects on life, and on the planet. This module examines atmospheric structure, circulation, processes and chemistry, inorganic and...

Ethics in Science, Engineering and Technology: Jekyll and Hyde

Starting from the underlying themes in Jekyll and Hyde, wherein a scientific discovery can be seen as having both beneficial (Dr. Jekyll) and detrimental aspects (Mr. Hyde), this module delves into the general area of the ethics and social responsibility ...

Fundamentals of Biochemistry

The aim of this module is initially to explain the characteristics and roles of molecules that constitute living cells, including DNA, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Subsequently, the fundamental metabolic pathways will be explored, along with the co...

Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Physiology

This module develops understanding of the components important for cell function and looks at how cells function in organs and whole organisms. Lectures will be accompanied by practicals, some of which involve the use of animal tissue, with alternative...

Global Sustainability Challenges

The global challenge that is 'sustainability' impacts every dimension of all of our lives. Regardless of your degree, the social, cultural, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability have important implications for your studies, your daily ...

Introduction to Astronomy and Space Science

The module shows how simple physical principles can be used to learn about the Universe. The focus is upon how one can measure physical quantities such as size, distance, temperature, age and mass for the variety of objects in the Universe. By its end stu...

Introduction to Energy in The Environment

Is it necessary -- and is it possible -- for the UK and other countries to make the change from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources? And what sort of changes would be involved, on a global, national and personal scale? Is there any one renewable ener...

Introduction to Environmental Biogeochemistry

Introduction to programming.

This module will introduce the basics required to produce efficient and effective code. You will be introduced to the underpinning architecture of a modern computer and from this starting point learn the basic of good computer practice from a code agnosti...

Mathematical Methods in Chemistry II

This module provides training in advanced mathematics and numerical methods that will allow in-depth understanding and solving of problems in physical chemistry, computational chemistry, and spectroscopy. It will also provide transferable skills that can ...

Year 3 modules

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Advanced Organic Chemistry (Bioorganic)

Fundamentals of Bio-organic Chemistry Nucleic Acids Chemistry • Chemical structure and properties of nucleosides, nucleotides, nucleic acids. • Structure and properties of DNA – A, B, and Z-DNA structures, Watson-Crick base pairing. • The biological...

Advanced Physical Chemistry

The course deals with the nature of surfaces, both real and ideal, the energetics of adsorption at surfaces and adsorption isotherms, and the charge distribution at the liquid/solid interface. The kinetics of reactions at interfaces, including the role of...

Chemistry Research Project

The project involves approximately 300 hours of commitment between the beginning of week 1 and the end of the last week before the Easter vacation (the finish date is to be confirmed). This corresponds to a minimum of 150 hours in the laboratory/ researc...

Inorganic Materials Chemistry

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Atoms, Molecules and Spins: Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry and Spectroscopy

This module aims to develop an intermediate-level understanding of quantum mechanics, including familiarity with its mathematical formulation. It is intended to bridge the gap between the qualitative, pictorial approach used in the core modules of the fir...

Chemistry through the Computational Microscope

This module builds on the student’s core understanding of the structure of atoms and molecules to predict their behaviour using state-of-the art computational chemistry methods. This will involve learning how quantum chemistry methods can be used to st...

Macrocyclic and Bio-inorganic Chemistry

This module explores some of the distinguishing features of metal ion complexes bearing macrocyclic ligands and some of the key structural and functional roles of metal ions in biology and medicine. The module serves as an introduction to these important ...

Medicinal Chemistry

Medicinal Chemistry is pivotal in the design, synthesis and evaluation of new medicines, and involves multidisciplinary research at the interface of Chemistry, Biology and Medicine. This module will introduce key molecular concepts and methods in Medicina...

Sustainable Chemistry

Synthetic methods in organic chemistry.

Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions lie at the heart of organic synthesis. In this course we will cover methods for carbon-carbon bond formation using carbanions and radicals, and through thermally and photochemically induced pericyclic processes. The si...

Year 4 modules

You must study the following module in year 4:

Chemistry Placement

You must also choose from the following modules in year 4:

Advanced Chemical Biology

Advanced nmr spectroscopy and mri.

This module provides advanced Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and imaging background to students who would like to work professionally in quantum technologies based on spin.

Advanced Spectroscopy and Applications

Modern spectroscopic techniques underpin a wide range of chemical and biological research as well as serving as a valuable analytical tool. This module will introduce some of the key principles, tools and techniques that govern spectroscopic measurements ...

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chemistry

The aim of the module is to expose the students to modern chemical informatics, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) driven approaches for computational modelling and prediction, illustrated with applications to research in to the discov...

Principles, Techniques and Energy Applications of Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is an important area of science covering many interesting and important topics of current scientific research. For example, it is key to the development of new power sources (for example new batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors) as ...

Stereoselective Reactions

Supramolecular chemistry of functional molecules and materials.

This module will explore the fundamental basis of intermolecular interactions and illustrate how these can be exploited to form diverse supramolecular assemblies ranging from small molecules, soft gels and hard extended inorganic solids. The course will p...

X-Ray Crystallographic Techniques, Advanced Main Group Chemistry and Applications

Learning and assessment.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• classes and tutorials
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

How we'll assess you

• coursework, laboratory reports and essays
• written and practical exams
• placement assessment

Your assessment breakdown

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Russell Minns is the course leader.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). When you graduate, you'll be eligible for full membership status (MRSC).

Previous graduates have gone on to careers in:

• environmental chemistry
• medicinal chemistry
• computer simulations in chemistry
• engineering
• public service
• telecommunications

Many of our graduates decide to go into research by taking a PhD. We invite you to explore our PhD studentships in chemistry .

The degree is also supported by our key skills training , which helps you develop the essential attributes needed for career success.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds , is open to every student.

Work in industry

This course includes a 6-month work placement, or a research project abroad.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees.

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,400.

Your fees will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations  

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary .

Get in touch for advice about student money matters .

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a  scholarship  or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: F101
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our  Equality and Diversity Statement .

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Chemistry (digital methods and computational modelling), chemistry with maths, chemistry with medicinal sciences, chemistry with year-long industry experience.

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MSc by Research in Chemistry

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

This is a research degree leading to the award of an MSc(Res) in Chemistry. The course admits students across the full breadth of research in the department, which focuses on fundamental science aimed at making significant and sustained long-term impact.

The main aspect of the course is an original research project, which develops research skills, knowledge and expertise in an area of cutting-edge chemistry. In many ways, the course is very similar to the DPhil in Chemistry, the key difference being that a DPhil project would normally take longer to complete and would be expected to make more significant advances in the field of research. The MSc(Res) offers an alternative to a DPhil, for students wishing to undertake a shorter research degree.

You will work with one or more academic supervisors, on a project that falls within the department's research themes:

• Advanced Functional Materials and Interfaces
• Chemistry at the interface with Biology and Medicine
• Energy and Sustainable Chemistry
• Innovative Measurement and Photon Science
• Kinetics, Dynamics and Mechanism
• Theory and Modelling in the Chemical Sciences

Many students work on projects that cut across the traditional boundaries of chemistry, and some work in interdisciplinary fields that exploit the Department of Chemistry's strong connections with other departments of the University. Students are supervised by some of the country’s most gifted research chemists, many of whom have world-class reputations.

You will work in an environment which encourages and inspires you to acquire and develop a wide range of communication, study, and research skills.

A typical week would primarily be spent carrying out your research, along with attending research group meetings, preparing reports, and keeping up-to-date with the scientific literature. You will also have access to a range of training opportunities, including specialist training within the department on key research techniques. Alongside your research project, you will be expected to develop your transferable skills, and many courses and opportunities for this are provided by the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences division and the wider University.

The Department of Chemistry has a strong and vibrant research community, of which you will become part, and you will be encouraged to attend a range of events including seminar series, lectures from distinguished visiting researchers, and the annual Graduate Symposium.

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Provision exists for students on some courses to undertake their research in a ‘well-founded laboratory’ outside of the University. This may require travel to and attendance at a site that is not located in Oxford. Where known, existing collaborations will be outlined on this page. Please read the course information carefully, including the additional information about course fees and costs. 

Resources to support your study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.

The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.

Workspace will be related to individual circumstances. If undertaking experimental work, you will be provided with space in a laboratory with access to all the required equipment. If undertaking theoretical research, you will have shared office space.

The Department of Chemistry has one of the largest and well-resourced research laboratories in the world. You will have access to the department’s IT support staff, to the Radcliffe Science Library and other University libraries, and centrally provided electronic resources, technical workshops and glass workshops. Experimental facilities are available as appropriate to the research topic. The provision of other resources specific to your project should be agreed with your supervisor as a part of the planning stages of the agreed project.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Chemistry and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Chemistry.

You will join a research group supervised by one or more members of the Department of Chemistry, sometimes in collaboration with other departments.

If you require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to develop a new range of skills, your supervisor will work with you to ensure that you have additional support.

Most students have the opportunity to meet with their research supervisor to discuss and review their progress on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

You will be admitted as a Probationary Research Student. At the end of the first year, you will undergo a Transfer of Status assessment, to ensure that you have the potential to gain an MSc by Research degree. This assessment is made by independent assessors on the basis of a report, a short presentation and an oral examination. Assuming that you satisfactorily transfer to MSc by Research status, your research proceeds with quarterly reporting throughout the remainder of the course.

You will be expected to submit an MSc by Research thesis within, at most, three years from the date of admission. The vast majority of students submit their thesis within two years. Your thesis will be read by two examiners, one of whom is normally from Oxford and one from elsewhere, and you will be assessed via the thesis and an oral (viva voce) examination. The examiners will judge, along with other requirements, whether you have made a worthwhile contribution to your particular field of learning.

Graduate destinations

This is a new course, formed by the amalgamation in 2024 of four of our previous courses: MSc by Research in Chemical Biology, MSc by Research in Inorganic Chemistry, MSc by Research in Organic Chemistry, MSc by Research in Physical & Theoretical Chemistry.

Students who have graduated from our previous chemistry research courses often remain in chemistry. Some go into the educational sector, and some go into industry (particularly the health-related industries such as pharmaceuticals). There is a wide variety of other destinations, including scientific writers, patent attorneys, government and the civil service; and a few go into financial services.

The department runs annual careers events for graduate students, and the Oxford University Careers Service offers a variety of specialist support. The department also hosts a large number of visits from prospective employers, where students can find out more information. There is an Alumni Officer, who keeps in touch with graduates, and the department runs a number of social and scientific events for them.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2025-26

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a subject relevant to the proposed research. Normally this will be a chemistry degree, but degrees in other physical sciences or in a biological science may be suitable.

Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0. However most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Prior publications are not expected but may help to indicate your aptitude for research.
• Applicants with substantial professional experience are welcome.
• It would be expected that graduate applicants would be familiar with the recent published work of their proposed supervisor and have an understanding of the background to their proposed area of study.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  standard level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's standard level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

A shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview.

Interviews are arranged directly by the prospective supervisors and usually they are conducted via MS Teams. Typically, the interview lasts up to 30 minutes and it may include discussion on your research interests and subject-related questions.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

A shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview (see ‘How your application is assessed’).

Oxford is one of the leading chemistry research departments in the world, with around 80 academic staff carrying out international level research and an annual research income of around £38 million.

In the most recent national assessment of research (REF 2021) 66% of our research output was judged world-leading, and 32% was judged internationally excellent. The department has a number of research themes, including:

• chemistry at the interface with biology and medicine
• sustainable energy chemistry
• kinetics, dynamics and mechanism
• advanced functional materials and interfaces
• innovative measurement and photon science
• theory and modelling of complex systems.

The facilities at Oxford for research and teaching are among the best available in the UK, with a wide range of the latest instrumentation and a huge computational resource networked throughout the University and beyond to national computing centres. Among the facilities available are the latest in automated X-ray diffractometers, electron microscopes, scanning tunnelling microscopes, mass spectrometers, high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers and specialised instruments for the study of solids.

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For entry in the 2025-26 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible,  use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool  to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including  a range of external funding ,  loan schemes for postgraduate study  and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on  our fees, funding and scholarship search tool .

Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:

Select from the list:

Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.

For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.

Annual fees for entry in 2025-26

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

Living costs for full-time study

For the 2025-26 academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between £1,425 and £2,035 for each month spent in Oxford. We provide the cost per month so you can multiply up by the number of months you expect to live in Oxford. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to budget for the  costs of a student visa and immigration health surcharge and/or living costs for family members or other dependants that you plan to bring with you to Oxford (assuming that dependant visa eligibility criteria are met).

Further information about living costs

The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. For study in Oxford beyond the 2025-26 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. For further information, please consult our more detailed information about living costs , which includes a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . 

If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide. 

The following colleges accept students on the MSc by Research in Chemisty:

• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Before you apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £20 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You should make contact with the academic (s) in your area of research to discuss potential research topics and likely availability of funding. You can approach academic staff directly  via the contact details  provided on their departmental webpage.

General enquiries should be made to the Graduate Studies Team via the contact details provided on this page.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

Under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) whom you would like to supervise your research. 

You should name up to three proposed supervisors and list them in order of preference. Your proposed supervisors can be from different sections of the chemistry department. If you wish to list more than three proposed supervisors, please contact the department directly via the email address listed on this page. Assessment of your application is likely to be delayed if no proposed supervisors are listed.

Referees: Three overall, of which at least two must be academic

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Academic references are preferred, although a maximum of one professional reference is acceptable where you have completed an industrial placement or worked in a full-time position.

Your references will be assessed for:

• your intellectual ability
• your academic achievement
• your motivation and interest in the course and subject area
• your ability to work effectively both in a group and independently
• your research potential in the chosen area

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Statement of purpose: A maximum of 1,000 words

Rather than a research proposal, you should provide  a statement of purpose. 

Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

Your statement will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying
• your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English
• your commitment to the subject
• your preliminary knowledge of the subject area and research techniques
• your capacity for sustained and intense work
• reasoning ability
• your ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice .

Apply Continue application

After you've submitted your application

Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will  not  be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can  find out more about our shortlisting and selection process  in our detailed guide to what happens next.

Find out how to manage your application after submission , using our Applicant Self-Service tool.

ADMISSION STATUS

Open to applications for entry in 2025-26

12:00 midday UK time on:

Wednesday 29 January 2025

Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Tuesday 4 March 2025

Final application deadline for entry in 2025-26

*Three-year average of applications for all previous Chemistry MSc by Research programmes (for entry in 2022-23 to 2024-25)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Chemistry

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 272569

Application-process enquiries

Application guide

Chemical Research MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The principal component (50%) of this degree is an intensive novel research project providing 'hands-on' training in methods and techniques at the cutting edge of scientific research. The programme also contains advanced taught courses which can be selected to cover the branches of chemistry of interest, a review of aspects of the scientific literature relevant to the research project and training in transferable skills for scientists.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

Applications closed

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Students develop a systematic approach to devising experiments and/or computations and gain familiarity with a broad range of synthetic, analytical and spectroscopic techniques, acquiring skills for the critical analysis of their experimental and computational observations. They also broaden their knowledge of chemistry through a selection of taught courses and are able to tailor the programme to meet their personal interests.

The programme is particularly suitable for those wishing to embark on a research career and is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) .

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for students wishing to progress to a research degree in chemistry or those seeking to acquire research skills which are valued in a commercial environment.

What this course will give you

With departmental research interests and activities spanning the whole spectrum of chemistry, including development of new organic molecules, fundamental theoretical investigations and prediction and synthesis of new materials, students are able to undertake a project that aligns with their existing interests.

Students develop crucial first-hand experience in scientific methods, techniques for reporting science and using leading-edge research tools, as well as further essential skills for a research career.

The foundation of your career

The MSc will equip students with an in depth knowledge of cutting edge chemistry as part of their research. This will help develop skills of analytical thinking, problem solving, data analysis and communication all of which are valuable to prospective employers.

Employability

This MSc is designed to provide first-hand experience of research at the cutting-edge of chemistry and is particularly suitable for those wishing to embark on an academic career (i.e. doctoral research) in this area, although the research and critical thinking skills developed will be equally valuable in a commercial environment.

Masters students will have opportunities to visit the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Society both situated in central London, to attend public lectures and meetings given by eminent national and international scientists. The student run ‘Chemical Physical society’ which is the oldest student run chemical society also holds weekly social events and scientific discussions and seminars on a variety of topical chemical and physical aspects. In addition there are many scientific events offering networking opportunities organised by several societies across the college ranging from Life Science to Data science.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Accreditation of degree programmes by the Royal Society of Chemistry is a mark of assurance that teaching and learning meet the standards expected from a university. Furthermore, accredited programmes ensure the needs of employers and students are fulfilled.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face lectures, seminars and workshops.

The programme is delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory classes and research supervision.

Assessment is through unseen written examination and coursework. The literature project is assessed by written dissertation. The research project is assessed by a written report, supervisor appraisal, an interim oral presentation with viva voce and poster presentation.

All students will be expected to attend research seminars relevant to their broad research interest.

On average it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly sessions (approx. 2 hours per week) over 10 weeks each term.

Students choose topics to the value of 45 credits from an extensive list of topic subjects in consultation with the programme director/research supervisor. These topics are aligned with programme aims and those of the individual research project and include topics from fundamental to applied chemistry. Topic areas include organic synthesis: asymmetric and biomimetic processes and the interface of chemistry with biology; inorganic/ materials chemistry: preparation and characterisation of catalysts and green chemistry; physical chemistry: fundamentals of gas and condensed phase processes and their applications such as atmospheric and surface chemistry and computational chemistry: ranging from data acquisition and analysis to fundamental quantum chemical calculations.  Other topics focus on advanced experimental skills.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

You will undertake Chemistry modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Chemical Research.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no programme-specific costs.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

Funding your studies

Students can be self-funded or find sponsorship from funding agencies such as research councils, the UCL scholarships and funding pages , the European Union, industry or charities.

There are a number of Graduate School Scholarships available.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Brown Family Bursary

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY Value: £15,000 (1 year) Criteria Based on financial need Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

NOW CLOSED FOR 2024/25 ENTRY Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend () Criteria Based on financial need Eligibility: UK

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees .

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

• why you want to study Chemical Research at graduate level. Please tell us what has led you to research. What were the enjoyable or difficult aspects of your undergraduate projects? Do you have much experience in laboratory work or computing? What are the skills you most need to acquire?
• why you want to study an MSc in Chemical Research at UCL. UCL's Chemical Research degree is heavily research oriented (50% in terms of credits). Tell us how you will make the most of this opportunity?
• how your academic background meets the demands of a challenging programme: Most applicants for this programme have a first degree in Chemistry. How well did it prepare you for research? What skills do you want to acquire that will help you in a research career?
• how you anticipate that your future career might proceed.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Applicants can select the research projects in Computational, Inorganic, Organic or Physical Chemistry. In the application cover letter students are asked to indicate which area(s) of chemistry they are interested in studying, clearly indicating why they chose this particular area, and indicating (at least) three academic members of staff they are interested in working with.

Note : for applicants holding a UCL Chemistry Bachelor's degree, the choice of a Master's programme must not include one which requires modules previously studied at UCL - contact the Programme Director before applying.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

[email protected]

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MSc Chemical Research

• Year of entry 2025/26 See 2024/25 entry
• Course duration Full Time:  12 months Part Time: 24 months

Our MSc Chemical Research programme prepares you for a career in research and development or for a PhD, as you gain specialist and theoretical knowledge in your chosen area of chemistry.

The main component of this course is a one-year research project. In addition to this, you will also take two taught modules in subjects that complement your project. Taught modules take the form of lectures, while you will receive individual supervision on your research project with regular one-to-one meetings with your supervisor.

A major focus of the course will be on practical methods and in developing and perfecting your research methods and skills. To this end, you will receive hands-on training using instrumentation in our state-of-the-art Chemical Analysis Facility, which features NRM, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, electron microscopy and molecular spectroscopy.

Industrial collaboration is one of our key strengths, and our research groups have worked on projects with a number of major organisations. We therefore have strong links with international companies including AstraZeneca, BP, Cytec, DuPont, GlaxoSmithKline, Henkel, Johnson Matthey, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble, Syngenta and Unilever.

100% of our research is of international standing (Research Excellence Framework [REF] 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Chemistry) and 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ ( REF 2021, combining 4* and 3*submissions – Chemistry).  Our research-active members of academic staff are available to supervise MSc research projects in the following areas.

Chemistry for life and the environment

Research addresses major current challenges in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic materials for healthcare. Specifically, our cutting-edge research is leading to understanding of protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and developing state-of-the-art analytical techniques to identify cancer biomarkers. In another strand of our work, we aim to improve the understanding of key atmospheric processes that substantially impact on climate change, with specialisations in the areas of ozonolysis of volatile organic compounds and aerosol formation.

Materials chemistry

Research spans the broad areas of polymer chemistry, surface chemistry, computational chemistry and solid-state inorganic chemistry. Fields of particular importance include materials for sustainable energy applications, especially ionic polymer membranes for fuel cells and hydrogen production, and thermoelectric inorganic materials for recovering energy from waste heat. The Materials Chemistry Group is prominent in the development of polymers and nanocomposites that can self-heal in response to mechanical damage, and also in the synthesis and structural analysis of inorganic networks that show negative thermal expansion effects.

Molecular chemistry

Emphasis largely centres on the development of new synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of natural products. However, unnatural products with applications ranging from peptide construction technology to ligands for nuclear waste remediation are becoming increasingly common targets. Techniques such as spectroelectrochemistry, photochemical methodology, or applications of ultra-high pressure chemistry, are central to the work of several groups in the section who rely greatly upon the specialist research equipment available within the Chemical Analysis Facility. 

For more information, please visit the Department of Chemistry website.  

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements:  Normally a 2.2 or above in an undergraduate honours degree, or the equivalent from a university outside the UK, in chemistry. Motivated applicants with a degree in other subject areas may be considered. Although the usual route to PhD is by direct entry, it is possible for MSc students to transfer to a PhD.

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score, you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

• Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Compulsory modules

Research project.

Develop your techniques, computation, independent thought, and practice of chemistry by producing an extended project on a preferred topic using the tools of modern chemistry.  

Research Methods and Skills

Receive training in research skills and techniques including writing, time management, record keeping, statistics, ethics, communicating science, database searching and safety. 

Optional modules

Further cosmetic science.

Deepen your understanding of the development and production of cosmetic products including regulations, testing and evaluation of products for safety and efficacy. 

Further Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Discover the pathology of various common diseases and understand the development of strategies to treat them. This area draws on pharmacology and biochemistry to enhance your understanding of chemistry. 

Chemistry in the Natural World

Understand the role of chemistry in nature and society. You’ll study key chemical reactions in the environment, such as the effect of pollutants, mitigation measures and the importance of metals in living systems.

Polymers in Nature and Industry

Explore the biology and chemistry of bio- and man-made polymeric materials including their physical characterisation, functional applications, and the basics of synthesis. 

Further Analytical Techniques

Engage with modern analytical chemistry techniques relevant to molecular sciences, including electrophoretic techniques, mass spectrometry and multi-nuclear magnetic resonance. 

Solid State Chemistry

Explore aspects of solid state chemistry and gain practical experience of searching crystallographic databases to extract relevant structural information. 

These are the modules we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £14,800

New international students: £32,950

Fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through  our dedicated fees and funding page .

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students .

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

You will acquire a number of valuable transferable skills relating to organisation and time management, communication, information handling, numeracy, problem solving and team working. Many of our graduates from this degree course go on to pursue a career in Research and Development.

Overall, 90% of graduates from Chemistry are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation. ( Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22; includes all Chemistry responders)

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