Chemistry with Medicinal Sciences (MChem)

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: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This 4-year degree will give you in-depth knowledge and practical training in all aspects of chemistry, and develop your understanding of its impact on modern society. In addition, 25% of your degree will be made up of medicinal and biomedical science study.

A research project in year 3 lets you take the practical skills developed in the teaching laboratories and develop them in an independent, research-oriented environment, studying an area in-depth.

In your final year, you'll take a 6-month placement to apply your scientific knowledge and skills to real-world problems.

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

• Reactivity

• Thermodynamics

• Kinetics

• Atomic Structure

• Bonding

• Chemistry of the Elements

Medicinal science modules focus on topics such as Macromolecules of Life and Metabolism. 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

In medicinal sciences you can study topics such as Systems Physiology and Mammalian Physiology. You can also choose options that may include Mathematical Methods in Chemistry, Ethics in Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Aquatic Chemistry and Pharmacology.

Year 3 overview

This year, 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)

A key element of this year is an individual chemistry research project in a field that interests you. This provides an excellent opportunity to apply your practical skills through over 150 hours of laboratory work. You'll choose from biomedical topics such as:

• Pharmacology

• Toxicity

• Neuropharmacology

Year 4 overview

This year you'll do a 6-month industrial experience placement, or a research placement at another university.

You'll also carry out an advanced research project in an area of your choice, supervised by a member of academic staff. You'll work in the laboratory, carry out literature research and write your dissertation.

In semester 2 you can take 3 advanced chemistry taught modules such as:

• Exploring Polymer Chemistry and the Properties

• The Impact of Plastics on Society and the Environment

• Understanding the Behaviour of Atoms and Molecules

• Fundamental Concepts in Electrochemistry

You'll also take options from biological sciences such as Biomedical Technology, Cellular Signalling or the Molecular Basis of Disease.

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

The learning activities for this course include the following:

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

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Peter Birkin is the course leader.

Your completed project prepares you for a career as a professional chemist because you'll fulfil the requirements of the Royal Society of Chemistry for the CChem qualification.

You'll be ready to enter medicinal chemistry jobs in areas such as:

• analytical chemistry

• programming and computational chemistry

• nanotechnology and other chemical industries

• biomedical sciences

Many of our graduates move on to a PhD qualification, and most stay with Southampton University to do so.

There are also research and teaching opportunities and options to branch out into other fields such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, law or science journalism.

The degree is 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 and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. 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.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £22,760.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

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. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

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: F1BC
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2023 entry

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.

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: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000