The MChem Chemistry degree aims to enhance your sense of enthusiasm for chemistry and to involve you in an intellectually stimulating experience of learning in a supportive environment. You will gain extensive in-depth knowledge and understanding of chemistry and related subjects, as well as a comprehensive training in practical chemistry and an appreciation of the importance of the discipline in different contexts. We will provide a sound basis for a successful career as a professional chemist and provide opportunities for you to develop a range of transferable skills for both chemical and non-chemical careers.
The MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Sciences also aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the role of chemistry and the fundamental aspects of biological sciences in the context of the medicinal sciences.
Integrated Masters students develop an in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of a substantial area of chemistry and are suitably prepared for employment in the chemical sciences or for studying further at doctoral level.
A key feature of the MChem Chemistry with six month placement programme is that you will complete both a research project based in Southampton in and a placement project either in industry or in an another academic institution. These projects that will help to equip you for a successful career as a professional chemist and enable you to fulfil the requirements of the Royal Society of Chemistry for the CChem qualification.
View the programme specification document for this course
To Apply
All applications for the MChem degree in chemistry with medicinal sciences are via UCAS, the course code is F1Bc (2076). For more information, visit the how to apply section of the website.
Accreditation
This medicinal chemistry degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) - when you graduate, you will be eligible for full membership status (MRSC) and you will have met the academic requirements to become a Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Programme Structure
Each academic year of your integrated masters degree is identified as a level: the first year is Level 1 (often called fundamental); the second year is Level 2 (intermediate); the third year is Level 3 (advanced); and the fourth year is Level 6 (master's). You are required to undertake a specified number of courses (otherwise called units) in each of these levels.
Each year, you will complete studies which collectively have a value of 120 credit points (CP). A credit point is a measure of the volume of study associated with each academic course that you study. One CP approximates to ten hours of study and this includes timetabled learning, private learning, revision and assessment.
Every course in chemistry and other subjects that you might study normally carry a credit point rating of 15CP. As a consequence you take eight courses in each academic year and these will normally be distributed evenly in each semester.
You will study a proportion of core courses in the first three years of your degree. In your fourth year you will generally be free to control your curriculum and will not be required to take any core courses.
Key Facts
- All of our undergraduate BSc and MChem programmes are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry
- Our students have been placed in a variety of opportunities in industry or universities in the UK and across the world as part of their degrees, enhancing their employability in a global market place
- Our undergraduate degree programmes allow a great deal of flexibility, allowing excellent students to switch onto their preferred course
- Our students enjoy one of the best students to staff ratios in the UK (Guardian, 2017)
- Our undergraduate students have access to the UK’s only National Crystallographic Service, a multimillion pound facility providing key structural insights into new molecules and materials
The National Student Survey 2017
98% of MChem Chemistry students were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
“I stayed close to home, working for a successful but close-knit company called Vertex Pharmaceuticals near Oxford. They specialise in anticancer therapy and Cystic Fibrosis in a specific subgroup of patients, and have previously revolutionised treatment for Hepatitis B. My interest in this field stemmed from my research project and really complimented the placement. ”
Alex Teuten - Chemistry with Medicinal ScienceTypical entry requirements
GCSEs:
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|
| GCSE | If you are not studying Maths at A level (or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University), we prefer an A or 7grade in GCSE Mathematics, but a B or 6 grade will be considered. Otherwise, our minimum requirement is grade C or 4 in English. This is supplementary to your A level (or equivalent) qualifications. |
A Levels:
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|
| GCE A-level | Our typical offers for students who are studying 3 A-levels are:
AAA, for students taking Chemistry plus one other acceptable science or mathematics subject (2017 entry).
Acceptable science/mathematics subjects include Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Human Biology, Geology, Geography and Psychology.
2018 entry requirements:
AAA to include Chemistry and one further science subject or AAB to include Chemistry and two further science subjects. A Level Biology is strongly advised. A level science subjects considered include Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Psychology, Geography and Geology. Science practical components must be passed. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics are excluded for entry.
Each application is considered on its own merit. Standard offers are made based on the application as a whole, including combination of subjects taken, and predicted grades. Offers may be subject to adjustment, based on discussion with the applicant, formal interview (if deemed necessary), or on a contextual basis. Under certain circumstances we may make an offer to an individual applicant which differs from those outlined above.
Students studying Chemistry, with no additional acceptable science/maths subject, may be interviewed to determine suitability for the course. We may also in some circumstances, recommend an alternative offer for the BSc programme. However, our flexible programme structure would allow transfer to single-honours MChem programmes, pending good performance in Year 1. Transfer to MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Sciences would be possible, provided the student studies and passes the pre-requisite Medicinal Science-related modules in Year 1. |
IB:
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|
| International Baccalaureate | 36 points on the IB scale, with a 6 in Chemistry and one other acceptable science subject at Higher Level.
The same consideration will be given to IB students studying Chemistry, with no additional acceptable science/maths subject at Higher Level, as those A-level students, as detailed above. |
Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers
AAAA(AA), to include Chemistry plus one other acceptable science subject at Advanced Higher.
Irish Leaving Certificate
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, to include Chemistry and one other acceptable science subject.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3D3D3, to include Chemistry plus one other acceptable science subject.
Welsh Baccalaureate
A in core (2015), plus A*A, to include Chemistry plus one other acceptable science/maths subject, as described above. The Welsh Baccalaureate is not accepted where Chemistry is the only accompanying science/mathematics A-level.
European Baccalaureate
Average of 85% across all units of study with a minimum of 8 in Chemistry and Mathematics.
Selection process:
- Intake:
- Total undergraduate intake 160-190
- Average applications per place:
- 5
Once you have applied and submitted your application to study on this combined-honours MChem degree programme, your application will be sent to us by UCAS as soon as possible. On arrival we consider every application on its individual merits and determine whether or not we are prepared to make an academic offer on the basis of the information provided.
If we decide that we will be able to make you an offer, we will send confirmation of your offer, and invite you to visit us on one of our UCAS Visit Days as a Post-Offer Applicant.
We sometimes require a formal interview, prior to making an offer, to discuss aspects of your application, and to assess your Chemistry background in detail. In this case, you would be invited to attend one of our UCAS Visit Days, as a Pre-Offer Applicant.
The Chemistry UCAS Visit Day is your chance to get all the detailed information you need, experience the atmosphere and environment on a working day, and gain invaluable student feedback, to help you in making your decision at this stage in the application process.
You will have the opportunity to discuss anything related to your application and offer, in an informal Post-Offer Applicant meeting with a member of academic staff, or Pre-Offer Applicant interview.
Our Admissions team and Admissions Tutor are always available to answer your enquiries and to discuss your application and offer in detail. Please contact us prior to your application, if you have any queries about your qualifications, the course requirements or the application process.
E-mail: ugafnes@soton.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 8310 / +44 (0)23 8059 7755
Visit our International Office website or the NARIC website for further information on qualifications.
Contextual Offers
The University of Southampton is committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data supports our admissions teams to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students flagged in this way will be given additional consideration and not be rejected solely on the basis of their predicted (or actual) grades.
Please see our contextual admissions pages for more information.
This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about
equivalent
entry requirements and qualifications for your country.
Foundation, BTEC and Access Courses in Chemistry
We welcome applications from Foundation Year, BTEC and Access to Higher Education Course students who have studied courses with a substantial component in chemistry and who have achieved a high standard in doing so. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, and decisions are made on the basis of the particular course that you are studying and by interview (in most cases). Access Course and BTEC students are normally required to study on our Science Foundation Year programme before progressing on to their degree of choice, but exceptional candidates, identified with the aid of a reference request later in the UCAS cycle, may be accepted directly on to this MChem degree programme, subject to a successful formal interview.
Diploma and Advanced Diploma (overseas applicants)
We are happy to receive applications to study MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Sciences from students who have taken college/ polytechnic diplomas in chemistry and will make offers, usually for entry into the first year only. Second year entry is usually not possible due to Year 1 programme requirements, unless the applicant has a suitable background in medicinal sciences. For second year entry you must also have achieved a very high standard in your diploma and your curriculum must have included the majority of the chemistry that we teach in our first year.
Typical course content
In the first two years of this chemistry with medicinal sciences degree you will take certain core modules in each of the disciplines to give a minimum of 120CP of study. The modules are graded introductory/fundamental (HE1).
In year three you will take certain core modules and a selection of approved optional modules to give a minimum of 120CP of study. The modules are graded intermediate (HE2) and advanced (HE3): the first number in the module code also indicates the level of study in which the module is normally taken. You will undertaken a sixth month placement during the fourth year.
Innovation modules outside of your subject area
Our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers you the chance to take optional modules outside of your chosen subject area. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future. Modules range from "Living and working on the web" to "Business skills for employability".
View the Curriculum Innovation modules for this course
Learn a language
Some of our courses also give you the option of taking a language module, which can count towards your degree. These modules cover ten languages and range from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level.
View the language modules on offer for this course
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the
programme and the learning outcomes that a typical
student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage
of the learning opportunities that are provided.
More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide
or website).
Tuition fees
Course fees for 2017/18 full-time UK and EU undergraduate students are typically
£9,250 per year.
Tuition fees for international students differ between each course. Most
part-time courses cost 50% of the full-time fee.
Funding
Scholarships, bursaries or grants may be available to support you through your
course.
Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or
your country of origin.
These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.
Costs associated with this course
Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such
essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the
academic requirements for each programme of study.
In addition to this, students registered for this programme typically also have to pay
for:
| Type | Description | Cost |
|---|
| Printing and copying | Where possible, coursework such as essays, projects and dissertations is likely to be submitted online. However, there are some items where it is not possible to submit online and students will be asked to provide a printed copy. The University printing costs are currently:
A4 - 5p per side (black and white) or 25p per side (colour)
A3 - 10p per side (black and white) or 50p per side (colour)
Please note: Paper sizes not recognised by the printing devices will prompt you to select the size and then charge a minimum of 50p per black and white copy and a maximum of £1 per colour copy.
You can pay for your printing by using the money loaders or by using print copy payment service by going to www.printcopypayments.soton.ac.uk.
Please remember that we are unable to refund any credit that has not been used by the end of your course, so please consider this when topping up your printing/copy account. You will be given a printing allowance of £5 per 7.5 ECTS CHEM towards the costs of printing lecture handouts and/or practical scripts.
The University Print Centre also offer a printing and copying service as well as a dissertation/binding service. Current printing and copying costs can be found at https://www.southampton.ac.uk/printcentre/copyrooms/service.page. They also provide a large format printing service, e.g. academic posters. Details of current costs can be found at: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/printcentre/exhibition/academicposters.page? | 5p - £1 |
There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the
University:
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Stationery | Approved Calculators: Candidates may use calculators in the examination room only as specified by the University and as permitted by the rubric of individual examination papers. The University approved models are Casio FX-570 and Casio FX-85GT Plus. These may be purchased from any source and no longer need to carry the University logo. |
| Stationery | You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationary items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc.). Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile. |
| Books | Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However due to demand, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source.
Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module. |
| Equipment | Laboratory Equipment and Materials: All laboratory equipment and materials are provided. |
| Equipment | IT - Computer Discs or USB Drives: Students are expected to provide their own portable data storage device. |
| Equipment | IT - Software Licences: All software is provided. |
| Equipment | IT - Hardware: It is advisable that students provide their own laptop or personal computer, although shared facilities are available across the University campus. |
| Clothing | Lab Coats and Safety Spectacles: One laboratory coat and a pair of safety spectacles are provided at the start of the programme to each student. If these are lost the student must replace them at their own expense. |
| Placements | Students on placement programmes can expect to cover costs for health and travel insurance, accommodation and living expenses, travel costs and visa costs. This will vary depending on which country you are travelling to. Specific details on what additional costs there will be are detailed in the individual module profiles which can be found under the modules tab of the programmes details of your programme. |
In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated
with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also
ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and
Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.
