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Chemistry MChem (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • Typical Offer: 120 - 128 UCAS tariff points
  • UCAS Code(s): F103 (full-time); 350R (sandwich)
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: Four years full-time with or without a placement
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
  • Campus: Clifton Campus
Information for 2024

Introduction:

An MChem course is a completely different way of learning. It’s about deeper chemistry knowledge and research.

How do we give you that? You’ll work on your research project for a whole year, which not only gives you extensive research experience but a chance to shape the future of chemistry. Equipped with the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course, you’ll be work or research-ready when you graduate.

Take your studies to Masters level
An MChem gives you an extra year to develop and expand your chemistry knowledge up to Masters level. You’ll study Masters level modules in your final year and spend time building your research experience by working on your extended year-long project alongside our chemistry researchers.

Join our research community
Immerse yourself in our chemistry research community by attending our regular research seminars. You’ll hear about the latest hot topics in chemistry from lecturers and researchers from NTU and across the globe. Industry partners regularly attend to share trends and developments from the sector.

Chartered Chemist status
This course puts you on the path to becoming a Chartered Chemist. If you go onto further research or study, you can apply for professional Chartered Chemist (CChem) status. CChem status shows your academic and professional achievements as well as your commitment to advancing excellence in science.

Integrated placement
If you’d like to get industry experience you can integrate a placement into your studies in Year Three. You'll continue with your studies while on placement, including some modules through online learning. This means you’ll still complete your MChem course in four years.

Recently Chemistry students have taken placements at AstraZeneca, Alpha Analytical Laboratory, AkzoNobel, Boots and Castle Environmental. They secured varied roles such as Research Assistant, Trainee Ink Chemist and Logistics Analyst.

Research informed teaching
Our research is tackling real-world issues – and the people working on this research will be teaching you. This means you can be sure that what you are learning is at the cutting edge of new chemistry discoveries. For example, Dr Gareth Cave, our nanoparticles expert, has used his expertise to develop an antiviral facemask in the fight against COVID-19.

  • An MChem gives you an extra year to develop and expand your chemistry knowledge up to Masters level. You’ll study Masters level modules in your final year and spend time building your research experience by working on your extended year-long project alongside our chemistry researchers.
  • 100% of our MChem Chemistry students (Full Time) were in highly skilled roles 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).
  • 95% of chemistry students were positive about the academic support on their course. (NSS2023)

Course accreditation

  • Royal Society of Chemistry logo

What you’ll study

Who will teach me?

We have a passionate team of experts who are committed to providing you with all the skills and experience you need to build a successful career in industry or in research. We are proud to have won awards and recognition for our high levels of teaching and student satisfaction. As a student here, you will not only have the full support of your tutors, but you’ll also work with a highly skilled technical team who are on hand to help you throughout your studies.

In your first year, you will be introduced to the various strands of chemistry, and we'll start to explore some more specialist areas, including the biological chemistry of drugs, environmental issues, and polymeric materials.

Structure and Function

Learn about the bonding and structure in organic molecules and functional group chemistry, with an emphasis on reactivity and mechanism.

Inorganic Bonding and Solid-State Materials

Learn the fundamental concepts of theoretical and practical chemistry as well as aspects such as inorganic complexation reactions, indicator theory and acid-base systems.

Physical States of Matter

Study physical chemistry including kinetic theory of gases, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, phase equilibria and distillation processes.

Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Analysis

Learn basic chemical principles including chromatography, applied optical spectroscopy, statistical tests, electroanalytical techniques, and appropriate specialist methods.

Professional Development

Engage with real life examples of how chemistry works, and understand the influence of social, economic or environmental factors on the way chemical sciences operate.

Introduction to Specialist Areas of Chemistry

These include Biological Chemistry of Drugs, Polymeric Materials and Environmental Issues.

This year we will be exploring more advanced concepts and you'll have the opportunity to take a short placement to get you thinking about the world of work. You'll also choose one module in a specialist area that’s of interest to you.

Organic Chemistry

Learn more advanced concepts in synthetic organic chemistry, organic reaction mechanisms and reactivity, as well as advanced structural analysis through organic spectroscopic techniques.

Inorganic Chemistry

Develop the concepts introduced in Year One and learn about structural chemistry in relation to chemical behaviour, functionality, reactivity and identification of inorganic molecules.

Physical Chemistry

Learn the basic principles of surface and colloid chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and concepts of heat and mass transfer associated with industrial processes.

Analytical Chemistry

Builds on Year One with a focus on interfering sample matrices, quantitative and qualitative identification of multicomponent samples and measurements under non-ideal conditions.

Professional Practice

Get prepared for the world of work through a short placement. You’ll be able to apply and observe, analyse and evaluate a range of vocationally relevant processes and attitudes.

Optional modules - choose one

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Introduces you to the processes involved in drug discovery and the steps taken by the medicinal chemist in order to take a lead compound and develop a drug for market.

Modern Day Materials

Develop an enthusiastic awareness of the impact of advanced materials science on modern-day life through a series of lectures and laboratory demonstrations on the applications of carbon and composite materials.

Applied Instrumental Analysis

Develop an understanding of how modern analytical instrumentation and radiochemical techniques are used to solve real-world problems in areas such as research, industry and the regulatory sectors.

Chemical Technology

This module brings chemistry into reality starting with the introduction of both fundamental and practical knowledge of applied chemistry in commercial applications and taking it through to the industrial environment.

Optional Integrated Work Placement

You have the opportunity to take a work placement during your third year.

Core modules

Advanced Chemistry

Study advanced topics across the spectrum of chemistry including heterocyclic chemistry, reaction mechanisms at metal centres, and molecular self-assembly and polymer chemistry in solution.

Advanced Organic Chemistry

Builds on the previous concepts presented in organic chemistry, and introduces you to concepts of total synthesis, asymmetric synthesis and advanced theories in pericyclic reactions.

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Study a range of topics including bioinorganic chemistry, the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, and single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction to name a few.

Advanced Physical Chemistry

Study the principles of surface and colloid chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and concepts of heat and mass transfer associated with industrial processes.

Research Methodology

Develops your research and presentation skills, ready for independent study in your final year.

Choose one module from:

Advanced Chemical Analysis

Develop through advanced topics in the theory and practice of chemical analysis, including method development from first principles through to final presentation, method validation, and group work.

Chemotherapeutics

Study the biological processes involved in disease proliferation and the use of chemotherapeutic agents as a treatment.

Nano and Green Technology

Develop an appreciation of cutting-edge progress in nanomaterials and green chemistry, their use in domestic and engineering applications and the theory and practice of green chemistry.

Your project will form a large part of your coursework this year and you'll be working independently to research and develop your project topic. You will also select three modules which we will cover in-depth to give you master’s level knowledge and training.

Project

Develop plans and carry out a substantial independent research project of publishable quality. Understand the principles of analytical work and the limitations of experimental design.

Choose three modules from:

Organic Synthesis and Characterisation of Biologically Active Compounds

Active Compounds Builds your knowledge and skills for effective design and implementation of the synthesis of relatively complex organic molecules.

Physical Properties of Solid-state and Nanocomposite Materials

To provide a masters level training within the fields of solid-state and nanocomposite materials chemistry.

Inorganic Chemistry - Beyond the Molecule

Beyond the Molecule Learn about the use of the biomimetic and supramolecular approaches in materials chemistry.

Drug Detection Analysis and Screening

Develop concepts of analytical chemistry applied to the detection and analysis of drugs and drug containing materials by standard methods.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Andrew Robbins

Do what excites you and if something does not work it is important to learn from it. Making mistakes is how we learn!

Marek Vavrovič

I chose the NTU based on the high ranking of NTU’s chemistry course among the universities in the UK

Video Gallery

Watch our facility tour video to get an insight into the equipment you'll use and what you'll study on the course.
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How you’re taught

Staff and student community
With support from your lecturers, personal tutors and technical staff, you can be sure we'll be here for you during your studies.

There’s support from your peers too. Our mentoring scheme gives you support from other students on your course. Whether you need help with your studies or university life in general, they’ve been there and can give you a students’ perspective.

We have a passionate team of experts who are committed to providing you with all the skills and experience you need to build a successful career in industry or in research.

Contact hours

Year 1 - lectures/seminars/workshops (35%) and independent study (65%)

Year 2 - lectures/seminars/workshops (30%) and independent study (70%)

Year 3 - lectures/seminars/workshops (25%) and independent study (75%)

Year 4 - lectures/seminars/workshops (14%) and independent study (86%)

A placement year may be taken in year 3  - where this is undertaken patterns of contact will vary from the above in years 3 and 4

Get hands-on

You’ll get to use our industry-standard equipment, such as our analytical suite, right from the very start of your course.  This means you’ll stand out when applying for placements and positions after graduation. You’ll be familiar with how a professional lab works and already know how to follow laboratory processes and protocols used in industry.

Get published

During your project you’ll be working on real research projects often alongside our chemistry researchers. Our research papers are frequently published in international scientific journals with our students named as one of the contributing authors – a great start to your career.

Learn a new language

Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.

Staff Profiles

David Robinson - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Dr. Robinson, Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry, in the department of Chemistry and Forensics at NTU

Lee Martin - Associate Professor

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Lee Martin, Associate Professor in Materials Chemistry

Warren Cross - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Warren Cross, Senior Lecturer, in the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University.

Emma Smith - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Emma Smith is a Senior Lecturer, in the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science.

David P A Kilgour - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

David P A Kilgour

Christopher Garner - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Christopher Garner, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University.

Ray Leslie - Student Academic Experience Manager

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Ray Leslie, Student Academic Experience Manager in the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science.

Valeria Puddu - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Valeria Puddu, Senior Lecturer, in the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University.

How you’re assessed

Because there is a lot of practical work in this course, the majority of assessments will involve reviews of your coursework and practical experience. We will be assessing group projects and laboratory work, as well as the portfolio that you'll develop throughout the course. You'll also give oral presentations and produce a final year dissertation. Some assessments will be in the form of written exams and in-class written tests.

Year 1 - coursework (73%) and written (27%)

Year 2 - coursework (79%) and written (21%)

Year 3 - coursework (38%), written (47%) and practical (15%)

Year 4 - coursework (22%), written (48%) and practical (30%)

A placement year may be taken in year 3  - where this is undertaken patterns of assessment will vary from the above in years 3 and 4

Careers and employability

Professional accreditation and CChem status

The Royal Society of Chemistry has accredited this course. Accreditations are a seal of approval from professional bodies and our assurance to you that your course is relevant and valued by the industry. This course also puts you on the path to becoming a Chartered Chemist. As it is recognised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, if you go on to further research or study, you can apply for professional Chartered Chemist (CChem) status.

Excellent placement opportunities

NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.

On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.

Our recent Chemistry students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including AstraZeneca, Alpha Analytical Laboratory, AkzoNobel, Boots and Castle Environmental. They secured varied roles such as Research Assistant, Trainee Ink Chemist and Logistics Analyst.

You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.

Find out more about work placements.

Having the experience of full-time employment for a year before finishing my degree has been a great advantage. It shows that I have thought about my career before graduating and this forward thinking is what employers want. Furthermore if you carry out a placement in the industry you want a career in then this is a fantastic advantage.

Nichola Smith

MChem (Hons) Chemistry with Professional Practice

Your future career

Our Chemistry graduates have excellent employment prospects because they possess a wide range of academic and transferable skills that are suited to a broad range of roles and industries. Over the years we have developed strong links with some of the biggest names in the industry and many of our students have secured work placements and careers with these companies.

Our recent graduates have secured roles at companies including:

  • AstraZeneca
  • Defence Science and Technology Lab
  • Alpha Analytical Laboratory
  • Source Biosciences
  • AkzoNobel
  • Boots
  • Castle Environmental

They have gone into a wide variety of job roles including:

  • Research Assistant
  • Trainee Ink Chemist
  • Graduate Scientist
  • Quality Control Analyst
  • Logistics Analyst
  • Science Teacher

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

Campus and facilities

You cannot fail to be impressed with the Chemistry facilities on-campus. We have worked hard to create a stimulating and creative environment that will give you the knowledge and skills to put you ahead of the graduate crowd. Take our virtual tour and see our facilities for yourself.

Take a virtual tour of our Chemistry facilities

Our first-class facilities support our high quality teaching and world-leading research across subjects and disciplines. As a Chemistry student you will have access to the:

  • Rosalind Franklin laboratory facility
  • Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research facility
  • Natural Sciences Research facility
  • on-campus crime scene training facility
  • British Olympic Association-approved environmental chamber

Outside of our science facilities, we have a dedicated teaching and learning building which is home to lecture theatres and innovative teaching spaces. The Clifton Pavilion sits at the heart of the campus and provides a contemporary study and social space, where you can relax, grab a coffee, and work on projects independently or in groups.

Entry requirements

  • Standard offer: 128 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Chemistry grade C
  • Contextual offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Chemistry grade C

Contextual offers

A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.


Other qualifications and experience

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

  • 128 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Chemistry grade C

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before.  This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

What do the course fees cover?

All mandatory costs for the course are covered in the course fee. In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.

Students may choose to apply for a placement option during their course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on placement.

Students will also be required to pay additional costs for poster preparation in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £30.

A deposit is required for laboratory lockers (approximately £5)

Tuition fees 

Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. See our fees.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

Paying fees

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

What do the course fees cover?

All mandatory costs for the course are covered in the course fee. In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.

Students may choose to apply for a placement option during their course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on placement.

Students will also be required to pay additional costs for poster preparation in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £30.

A deposit is required for laboratory lockers (approximately £5)

How to apply

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

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