Drug Chemistry MSc

Overview

This course provides advanced training in modern organic, computational and medicinal chemistry. This covers different approaches to drug design and development, from identification of the biological target, in silico molecular structure optimisation, to the synthesis and biological evaluation of lead compounds. You'll study and experience the way modern small molecule medicine is developing.

During your research project, you'll gain hands-on experience of working within a medicinal chemistry team investigating unexplored targets.

Newcastle University is a great place to study and practice medicinal chemistry. Our strengths include the following specialist topics:

• computational based drug design
• modern approaches to chemotherapy
• the development of new drug discovery techniques

You'll develop drug design expertise as practised in the pharmaceutical industry and academia. You'll also discover the modern and experimental therapies being developed at Newcastle University’s Centre for Cancer.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

MSc - Master of Science

An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject. It typically includes:

• subject-specific taught modules
• a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words

You'll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.

A Master of Science is typically awarded for the successful completion of 100 credits of taught modules and a 80-credit dissertation or research project.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.

What you'll learn

The Drug Chemistry MSc is delivered through the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. It includes:

• 100 credits of taught modules
• 80-credit multidisciplinary project

You'll gain knowledge in the critical aspects of the drug discovery process, including:

• drug design
• metabolism
• toxicology
• synthetic organic chemistry
• computational medicinal chemistry
• applied bioinformatics
• biopharmaceuticals
• chemical biology

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Drug Chemistry MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Modern Methods in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery	20
Drug Metabolism and Toxicology	10
Theory and Practice of Chemotherapy	20
Proteins as Drug Targets: structure, function, and molecular modelling	10
Synthetic Methodology for Drugs	20
Research Dissertation Project in Chemistry	80
Research Skills and Development	20

Additional compulsory module information

If you've graduated from Chemistry UG courses at Newcastle University you'll take the following modules replacing Drug Metabolism and Toxicology and Theory and Practice of Chemotherapy:

• Biopharmaceuticals as Therapeutics (10 credits) 
• Recent Advances in Chemistry Research (20 credits) 

If you have a very strong background in Organic Chemistry, you may be able to replace Synthetic Methodology for Drugs with more specialist modules (after consultation with the Degree Programme Director).

How you'll learn

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Lab exercise
• Professional skills assessments
• Oral presentation
• PC examination
• Performance
• Practical lab report
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Thesis
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Student Support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Your future

Careers

You will have the opportunity to engage with professionals from research, business and industry during the course. Graduates from this course have undertaken various roles including:

• Analytical Chemist at Sterling Pharma Solutions
• Product Testing Analyst at merck Sharpe Dohn
• Chemist at Onyx
• Scientific Formulation Scientist at Unilever
• Clinical Research Associate at Beijing Yidu Zhengkang Health Technology Co. Ltd

Further study

This MSC supports a route into PhD-level study. You’ll develop the research skills needed for advanced study during your course.

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

We have an outstanding range of facilities, including:

• laboratories and equipment (flow chemistry, microwave systems, diverse spectroscopy techniques and microscopy) for the synthesis and characterisation of novel molecules and materials
• extensive computational resources for data analysis, molecular modelling, machine learning approaches and the ethical use of AI in research and assessment

Specialist research support facilities which include:

• mass spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS, HRMS)
• multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (300 to 700 MHz systems)
• X-ray diffraction (powder and single crystal) as part of the national service
• mechanical, glassblowing and electronic workshops

Chemistry facilities

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has an outstanding range of facilities to support research and teaching, including:

• modern research laboratories and analytical services
• synthesis and characterisation of novel materials lab
• computational resources for performing molecular modelling
• NMR facilities include 300-700 MHz spectrometers
• glass-blowing, mechanical and electrical/electronic workshops

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

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How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

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