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Chemistry MChem Honours

  • UCAS code: F103
  • Full time
  • 4 years

This professionally accredited degree provides a firm foundation in the fundamentals of chemistry in your first three years. It includes a year of advanced study at master's level, and is a good basis for a PhD or career in research.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2025


Next start date:

  • September 2025

Fees (per year)

  • Home: Not set
  • International: £30600

Scholarships available

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAB
  • IB: 33 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

Chemistry touches every part of our lives. From food and medicine to biotechnology and renewable energy, its influence is endless. As a Chemist, you can have a great career and make a difference in the world.

Our MChem degree follows the normal BSc curriculum, plus a further year of advanced study. The MChem programme is perfect for those pursuing a career within scientific research.

This course includes the option to spend a year studying abroad or working in industry.

You'll explore the role of chemistry in:

  • drug design
  • electronic properties of molecules and materials
  • renewable energy technology (solar, batteries)
  • nanoscience

You'll study organic, inorganic, physical and structural chemistry. You'll investigate modern analytical techniques and computational chemistry. You can create your own distinct learning experience at Newcastle. You'll explore your interests as you discover the subject.

In your final year, you'll study advanced modules including:

  • catalyst application and design
  • organic synthesis for drug targets
  • exploring d and f block chemistry: applications and structural methods
  • pericyclic and radical reactions

The facilities are outstanding at Newcastle. You'll have the opportunity to study in modern research laboratories and synthetic chemistry teaching laboratories.

BSc or MChem?

The MChem programme is perfect for those pursuing a career within scientific research.

Our MChem degree follows the normal BSc curriculum, plus a further year of advanced study. You'll undertake a research project in the fourth year. You'll gain valuable experience of working in a research environment.

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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 2024-25.

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.

Additional information

Flexible degree structure

Our chemistry degrees share a common first year. This ensures that you develop a solid foundation in chemistry and its many forms. 

Find out more about our Chemistry degrees

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

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

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

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

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

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

Our chemistry degrees share a common first year. This ensures that you develop a solid foundation in chemistry and its many forms. You’ll explore the fundamentals of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Chemical Laboratory Skills 1 20
Chemical Skills and Professionalism 10
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry 20
Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry 20
Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry 20
General Chemistry 10
Additional compulsory module information

If you have A Level Maths grade C or below you must take the following compulsory module: Mathematical Skills for Chemists (10 credits)

Optional Modules Credits
Natural Science Research Impact 10
Climate Change and the Earth System 10
Mathematical Skills for Chemists 10
Introduction to Scientific Computing for Chemists 10
Fundamentals of Biological Chemistry 10

You'll explore more advanced concepts in chemistry including polymers, supramolecular and computational chemistry. You’ll also investigate bioactive natural products and their role in naturally-derived drugs.

You'll take an employability module that includes a Professional Awareness Event. You'll have the opportunity to interact with a range of companies.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Sustainable Solutions 10
Chemical Laboratory Skills 2 20
Structural Chemistry 10
Organic Chemistry 20
Inorganic Chemistry 20
Physical Chemistry 20
Optional Modules Credits
Medicinal Chemistry 10
Scientific Computing for Chemists 10
Chemistry of the Atmosphere 10

You'll complete an independent research literature project. You will develop skills in reviewing, critiquing and presenting research material.

You'll also study advanced organic and inorganic chemistry. You'll explore topics including chemical nanoscience and bioinorganic chemistry.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Chemical Laboratory Skills 3P 20
Professional Development and Employability Skills for Chemists 10
Advanced Organic Chemistry 20
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 20
Physical and Computational Chemistry 20
Advanced Structural Chemistry 10
Analytical Chemistry in Practice 20

In your final year, you’ll complete an investigative project. This involves creating original, unpublished work in a modern area of chemistry. As part of the project, you'll generate a researcher development record. This record highlights the specialist skills you’ve acquired from your research project.

You will also choose from a range of optional modules on specialist topics. These include catalysis and synthesis of organic compounds.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Research Project 70
Advanced Problem Solving 10
Optional Modules Credits
Selectivity and Stereocontrol in Organic Synthesis 10
Advanced Methods in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery 10
Pericyclic and radical reactions 10
Chemistry Far From Equilibrium 10
Contemporary Catalysis: Principles and Applications 10
Modern aspects of inorganic chemistry 10
Energy and Materials 10

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching is by a combination of lectures, tutorials and lab-based and computational experiments. You will have practical classes for two afternoons each week in Stage 1 and these increase in later years.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Practical sessions

Skills and experience

Practical skills

During your course, you'll develop professional laboratory skills through practical experience in our high-spec teaching labs.

You'll also develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills. These will enable you to pursue careers outside of Chemistry, including:

  • accountancy
  • patent law
  • marketing

Business skills

You're able to develop business skills through:

  • employability skills modules across all stages
  • work placements
  • study abroad opportunities
  • industrial visits

You'll develop key skills, including:

  • writing proposals
  • writing scientific reports and papers
  • delivering presentations

You'll also network with industry at our Professional Awareness Day, empowering you to make decisions about your career.

Research skills

Research is at the heart of what we do. Our latest research discoveries feed into your curriculum. You'll learn on the cutting-edge of Chemistry. Our discoveries include:

  • discovery of new anti-cancer drugs
  • development of battery technology
  • creation of nanoscale electronics

Opportunities

Study abroad

You'll spend Stage 3 studying chemistry at one of our partner institutions abroad. You'll have the choice to study at a leading international university, including:

  • Monash University
  • University of Hong Kong
  • University of Pittsburgh

You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

Find out more about study abroad

Industrial training year

In Stage 3, you'll take your year in industry. Gaining work experience is invaluable for your future career. You'll experience the modern workplace and explore commercial projects. If you impress your host company, it could even result in a job offer upon graduation.

Our students have completed paid placements in leading companies including:

  • Akzo Nobel
  • AstraZeneca
  • Corus
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • P&G

Facilities and environment

Facilities

During your studies, you'll be based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus.

You'll have the opportunity to study in well-resourced research laboratories and synthetic chemistry teaching laboratories. Our facilities also include:

  • physical chemistry laboratory
  • mechanical, glassblowing and electronic workshops, staffed by highly trained technicians
  • facilities for the synthesis and characterisation of novel materials
  • extensive computational resources for molecular modelling and dynamics
  • a centralised NMR facility which includes 200, 300 and 500 MHz spectrometers

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a lab coat for laboratory practicals.

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with any issues.

Your future

Join a network of successful graduates

Employers hold our graduates in high regard. Our graduates go on to work in a wide variety of sectors, including:

  • pharmaceuticals
  • accountancy
  • agrochemicals
  • patent law
  • petrochemicals
  • marketing

If you want to pursue chemistry research as a career, a good undergraduate chemistry degree is essential, often followed by a research degree.

Benefit from strong industry links

You'll also benefit from our well-established links with organisations within the industry, such as:

  • AkzoNobel
  • Astra Zeneca
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Proctor & Gamble

Enterprising students

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Careers support

During your second year, you'll attend our Professional Awareness Day. We invite a broad mix of businesses to the event, carry out mock interviews and hold Q&A sessions with alumni. You're empowered to make decisions about your future career.

In your final year, you will have one-to-one meetings with an academic to discuss your professional future.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

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

Entry requirements

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

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed (see ‘Home Fee Students’ information below).

Qualification: MChem Honours

Home students

full time 4 years

Tuition fees (per year)

Not set

International students

full time 4 years

Tuition fees (per year)

30600

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

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International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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