Chemistry

MChem
4 years full-time
Durham City
F105
Typical offers
A Level | A*AA |
---|---|
BTEC | D*DD |
International Baccalaureate | 38 |
Course details
The chemistry department at Durham is one of the leading departments in the UK and within the Top 100 across the world.When you choose to study for a MChem degree you will join a dynamic and focused learning community that is home to multiple research institutes, a range of first-class facilities and experts with close industry links. Current developments in both research and industry are used to bring theoretical learning to life.
Chemistry degrees at Durham offer a high level of flexibility. The MChem contains the same core curriculum in Years 1 and 2 as our other chemistry degrees and you can switch to one of the other degrees up to the end of the second year.
You will learn how chemistry is the central science with learning that interfaces with biosciences, earth sciences, engineering, and physics. You will be exposed to cutting-edge analytical techniques and learn how they can be used in research to tackle global issues. Graduates are ready to either move straight into employment in a wide range of industries or advance into further studies and scientific research.
You will build strong foundations in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and learn practical skills in our modern teaching laboratories. In your third year, you will continue to learn the core aspects of modern chemistry, and start to focus on the concepts and skills required in research. Your final year is built around a research project embedded within a research group.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Core Chemistry 1
provides the foundation for your future studies and covers organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
Practical Chemistry 1A and Practical Chemistry 1B
which will allow you to learn and practice the skills required to accurately and safely use chemical reactions to create target substances and concludes with project work in a laboratory setting.
Mathematical and Experimental Tools Required in Chemistry (METRiC)
builds on your pre-university mathematical skills and ensures that you understand the vocabulary of physics and biology that interfaces with chemistry.
Introduction to Materials Chemistry
introduces the fundamentals of solid state and materials chemistry.
Optional modules:
Finally, you will choose some optional modules allowing you to tailor your learning in subjects such as mathematics, biology, languages or the chemistry module Molecules in Action.
Year 2 modules
Core modules:
Core Chemistry 2
builds your knowledge of inorganic, physical, and organic chemistry into more specialised concepts.
Chemistry of the Elements
focuses on the principles of bonding as well as the unique chemistry of the transition metals.
Structure and Reactivity of Organic Chemistry
explores how the structure of molecules affects reactions.
Properties of Molecules
advances your understanding of physical chemistry in the areas of magnetic resonance, surface chemistry and electrochemistry.
Practical Chemistry
developing core practical skills in a laboratory setting.
Optional modules:
- Biological Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
Year 3 modules
Core modules:
Core Chemistry 3
takes your knowledge up to degree standard.
Chemistry Literature Perspective
You will also produce a research-led Chemistry Literature Perspective which will demonstrate your attained skills of literature review, data collection and critical analysis as well as literacy and presentation skills.
Practical Chemistry
continues to explore your practical ability in a laboratory setting.
Inorganic Concepts and Applications
explores the chemistry of lanthanoid and actinoid elements, applied inorganic NMR spectroscopy, and organometallic reaction mechanisms.
Advanced Organic Chemistry
expands knowledge in synthetic and mechanistic chemistry, focusing on catalysis, natural product biosynthesis, and molecular recognition.
Molecules and their Interactions
advances understanding of intermolecular forces and spectroscopy, including electronic, vibrational, and optical aspects.
Optional modules:
- Materials Chemistry
- Advanced Computational Chemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
- Advanced Biological Chemistry.
- Chemistry into Schools
Year 4 modules
Core modules:
Chemistry Research Project
where you will impart your experimental, analytical, theoretical and problem-solving skills through a capstone project including laboratory or computational work, or both, and the writing of a research report with the potential for publication.
Optional modules:
- Advanced Research Concepts in Chemistry
- Advanced Computational Chemical Physics
- Frontiers in Molecular Assembly
Accreditation
A MChem provides you with the opportunity to start your career in science and technology across research organisations, multiple industries or further academic studies. Employers value the research capability, theoretical knowledge, practical skills and other professional attributes that you gain through the course such as problem-solving, communication skills, creativity, logical thinking, time management, teamwork and leadership. These key skills also equip you for a career in areas such as business management, finance, consultancy, publishing, information technology and marketing.
Recent employers of our graduates include Procter & Gamble, BAE Systems, MSD, HSBC, BT and Akzo Nobel.
Take a look at some of the roles taken up by recent graduates from the course:
- Analytical Chemist at MSD
- Materials Scientist at GAMA Healthcare
- Graduate Engineer at BAE Systems
- Senior Supply Chain Professional at BAE Systems
- Forensic Technology Engineer at Deloitte
- Data Analyst at HSBC
- Solid State Chemist in pharmaceuticals
Of those students who graduated in 2021-22:
- 87% are in paid employment or further study 15 months after graduation across all our programmes.
Of those in employment:
- 95% are in high-skilled employment
- With a median salary of £33,000.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
Accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry as satisfying the academic requirements for the award of CChem for holders of first-class and second-class degrees. A subsequent period of continuing professional development is required to achieve full CChem status.
Learning
The course content is primarily delivered through lectures, supported by tutorials, workshops, and private study. Practical lessons are essential in experimental sciences, helping you develop laboratory skills, experiment planning, data analysis, and safety management.
In the first year, core modules include seven hours of lectures, two hours of tutorials or workshops, and six hours of practicals weekly. Optional modules add two to six hours of contact time per week, alongside independent study.
At the heart of the fourth year is a research project, supervised by an academic member of staff. Your project work will typically be for two full days a week for 20 weeks, in addition, you follow two lecture modules. The learning environment is more focused on independent learning than in earlier years.
Assessment
Assessment is mainly by end-of-year examinations and coursework including laboratory reports, and essays. In your final year, you will submit your research-led project report and deliver an oral presentation.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the course content, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world scenarios.
Entry requirements
A level offer – A*AA
Contextual offer – AAB
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma – D*DD and A level requirements as above.
IB Diploma score – 38 with 666 in higher level subjects, including Chemistry and Mathematics (either Analysis and approaches HL or Applications and interpretations HL).
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:
- We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
- We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study. For more information contact our Admissions Selectors.
- We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry, but encourage a short statement of gap year plans in your personal statement.
including A in Chemistry and A in Mathematics.
including A in Chemistry and A in Mathematics.
Alternative qualifications
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year.
Fees and funding
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
Full-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.
In deciding the annual level of increase, the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of:
- 6%, or
- the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Part-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of part-time study and are charged proportionately to the Full-Time fee. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities.
Find out more about Scholarships and BursariesCareer opportunities
Chemistry
A degree in Chemistry will prepare you for a career in science and technology either in industry, research or academia. Chemistry is also an excellent foundation for careers in areas such as business and finance, consultancy, journalism, information technology, teaching and more. A significant number of our students also progress to postgraduate study.
Transferable skills include communication and presentation skills, logical thinking, report writing, problem solving, time management, data handling and analysis, teamwork and leadership, creativity, and instrumental and experimental skills. We aim to develop your curiosity as a scientist. These skills are valued across many sectors.
Recent employers of our graduates include GSK, Infineum, Procter & Gamble, BP and Akzo Nobel.
Of those students who graduated in 2021-22:
- 85% in work or further study.
Of those in employment:
- 96% in highly and medium-skilled employment.
- £31,925 is the average salary.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. More at www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
Chemistry
Chemistry is often called ‘the central science’ as knowledge of atoms and molecules is instrumental to understanding and interacting with the world around us. Gain the theoretical knowledge you need while developing your practical skills at our thriving centre of teaching and world-leading research.
We are a dynamic and diverse international teaching and research community, equipped with modern laboratories and world-class facilities. You’ll be taught by internationally renowned research-active academics with a wide range of expertise.
We have a long tradition of interdisciplinary research, from the development of chemical tests for cancer to the theory and computational study of molecular interactions. You will study the design, synthesis and characterisation of societally and technologically important substances, and will benefit from exposure to innovative research programmes and ideas. We have built a large network of national and international industrial partners involved in collaborative research through interactions at many levels with the Department and our BSc and MChem qualifications are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
With flexible pathways to suit your interests and career goals, and the chance to apply for an additional year in industry or an overseas placement, a degree in Chemistry will equip you for a range of careers or further study.
For more information see our department pages.
Rankings
Top 10 The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Top 10 The Guardian University Guide 2025
4th The Complete University Guide 2025
Staff
For a current list of staff, please see our department web pages.
Facilities
We are located on the Lower Mountjoy (science) site, near the Palatine Building and Calman Learning Centre, and just a short walk from the city centre or any of our colleges.
Apply
Find out more:
Use the UCAS code below when applying:
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F105
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