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Medicinal Chemistry MChem (Hons)

UCAS code: F153 (full-time), F154 (sandwich)

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  • Level of study:
    Undergraduate
  • Typical Clearing offer:
    88 UCAS tariff points
  • Start date:
    September 2026
  • Duration:
    Four years full-time / five years with placement.
  • Attendance:
    Full-time, Placement year
  • Course delivery:
    On-campus (Clifton Campus)
Image of student in lab
Information for 2026

About this course

To help you stand out in the pharmaceutical industry, this course gives you both a solid understanding of the theory and practical skills required to succeed. For working in big pharma, it’s everything you need it to be.

Chemists have been instrumental in ridding the world of killer diseases and developing drugs that improve the lives and outcomes for millions of people worldwide. As a medicinal chemist, you’ll be at the forefront of this battle as you discover how chemicals and drugs work.

Become a specialist
Rather than the broad range of modules and knowledge you’ll get on a traditional chemistry course, this course is designed to give you the specific specialist knowledge to work in the pharmaceutical or drug development industry. The in-depth study of pharmaceutical techniques you’ll be learning will support you when you graduate to save lives through the development of the next generation of drugs and treatments.

Relevant to industry
Working with industry and future employers like AstraZeneca, we developed this course and annually consult with them to update it. This gives you the best work-like learning experience, familiarising you with the protocols and processes used in industry all before you graduate.

Get industry experience
Through group work and the Professional Practice module you’ll start designing your own experiments and trying things out. Developing problem solving skills by testing and learning are valuable skills for any chemist to have and we make sure you get this experience right from the start of your course.  We’ve also embedded employability skills in the course so you are not only learning theory and skills, but you know where to find your dream job and how to apply for it.

Supporting you
You’ll be joining a course where you’re truly supported – both academically and personally. The Royal Society of Chemistry commended our pastoral support, recognising the commitment of our staff to student wellbeing and success.

But the support doesn’t stop there. In your first year, you’ll be paired with a student mentor – someone who’s already been through the transition to university and can offer advice, encouragement, and guidance as you settle into degree-level study. Whether you need help navigating your timetable, preparing for assessments, or just adjusting to student life, your mentor is there to help.

What’s the difference? BSc vs MChem

  • The BSc (Hons) is a three-year undergraduate course — or four years if you choose to complete a work placement. If your academic performance is strong enough over the first two years, we’ll automatically offer you a place on the MChem course.
  • The MChem (Hons) is a four-year course that leads to a single postgraduate qualification. The first two years are the same as the BSc course, with advanced, Masters-level study then spread across the third and fourth years.

  • Top quality support

    96% of chemistry students were positive about the teaching and academic support on their course. National Student Survey 2025.

  • High quality accredited courses

    Our courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. We work closely with industry and know what they want from graduates. With that in mind, we’re constantly developing our Chemistry courses to meet these needs.

  • Study in our outstanding chemistry facilities

    – from our large SuperLab to specialist project spaces in the ISTeC building. Our labs are some of the best in the UK!

  • Learn from the experts

    at a university rated TEF ‘Gold’ for teaching and learning.

This course is packed with work-like learning experiences designed to prepare you for the real world of chemistry from day one.

You'll build over 300 hours of hands-on lab experience throughout your course, developing the skills and confidence you'll need in the workplace. You'll also benefit from strong connections with industry – employers are involved in shaping the skills you develop, and many take part in our careers fairs, offering invaluable advice and networking opportunities. Our alumni are also on hand to share their experiences and help you navigate your own career path.

A standout feature of the course is our professional skills modules, which were praised by the Royal Society of Chemistry for their innovative approach. These modules are built around real-world problems set by employers. In one, students work in teams on a medicinal chemistry project, where they design, synthesise, and present potential drug targets to industry professionals. In another, students are challenged to analyse contaminated river water, identifying pollutants and producing an environmental report for a mock client.

Study abroad opportunities

Get ready to embark on an adventure with our study abroad programs at partner universities or by getting a work placement overseas. Both opportunities will boost your employability, build lifelong friendships, and allow you to experience the world in a whole new way.

Course accreditations

Choosing a degree accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), a global mark of quality, tells employers you’ve studied chemistry to the highest professional standards. RSC accreditation means your course is designed to give you the skills, knowledge, and practical experience that industry values most – setting you up for a successful and rewarding career in chemistry.

This course meets the academic requirements to become a Chartered Chemist (CChem), boosting your employability and global opportunities after graduation.

  • Royal Society of Chemistry logo

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

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. We’ll also start to explore the processes involved in drug discovery and development.

You have the opportunity to take an Optional Integrated Work Placement during your third year.

Core modules

Optional modules – choose one

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Student experience

  • Profile image of Maddie

    Maddie Horrocks

    Chemistry student

    “Through the experience of doing placements, I have been able to consider different career paths, which has helped me gain clarity on my future goals.”

    Read Maddie's profile
  • Andrew Robbins

    Andrew Robbins

    student

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

    Read Andrew's profile
  • Juliana Eniraiyetan

    Juliana Eniraiyetan

    Chemistry student

    “The underrepresentation [of Black women in science] ... can lead to Black women no longer feeling this space is for them, even if they have the amazing innovative mind their scientific discipline needs”

    Read Juliana's profile

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.
 

How you're taught

You’ll learn through a mix of:

  • lectures - covering the key theories
  • seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
  • practical sessions - using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
  • workshops - this includes surgery sessions where you’ll meet with your lecturer in small groups to discuss any problems or work through challenging topics.

The rest of your time will be spent carrying out independent study such as reading textbooks and lecture notes, and working on exercises.

Staff and student community

Whatever the support you need – whether it’s support around your studies or university life in general – you can be sure we’ve got you covered. On the academic and practical side of things you’ll get the support of your lecturers, personal tutors and technical staff, so there’s always someone to turn to. They will get to know you during your course and can help you target support where you need it most.

Our mentoring scheme gives you support from other students on your course. They can give you practical advice on how to tackle a particular part of your studies or more general guidance on life as a student. They’ve been there and can give you a students’ perspective.

Hands-on learning

You’ll get to use our industry-standard equipment, such as our mass specs and x-ray crystallography, right from the very start of your course. From developing risk assessments and COSSH assessments you’ll know how a professional lab works and how to follow laboratory processes and protocols used in industry – all valuable skills to have before you graduate.

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.

How you're assessed

This course utilises a wide-variety of assessment methods to enable you to demonstrate your achievement.

  • Subject knowledge, understanding and problem-solving are assessed by unseen examinations, short answer tests, laboratory reports, oral presentations and poster presentations.
  • Practical skills, relating to laboratory techniques and the recording, interpretation and analysis of experimental and computational data, are assessed in laboratory experiments and reports, and in project assessments.
  • A wide range of scientific and professional skills are assessed through written reports, skills portfolios, conference presentations, and work-like learning projects.

Contact hours

For each 20-credit module, you’ll spend about 200 hours learning overall. Around 40 of those hours will be taught in labs, lectures or seminars. The rest of the time is for independent study, reading, research, or working on assignments.

Who will teach you?

Entry requirements

This course is in Clearing

Looking for a place in Clearing? We are accepting applications and would love to hear from you!

UK students

Clearing requirements

From 88 UCAS tariff points from up to 4 qualifications.

To discuss our entry requirements and see what we can offer you, call us now on +44 (0)115 848 6000. Alternatively, if you already have your qualifications, apply online via our Clearing Application form.

Additional requirements

  • A-level or equivalent Chemistry grade D

To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.

International students

Clearing requirements

From 88 UCAS tariff points from up to 4 qualifications.

To discuss our entry requirements and see what we can offer you, call us now on +44 (0)115 848 6000. Alternatively, if you already have your qualifications, apply online via our Clearing Application form.

Additional requirements

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

£9,790 per year

If you choose to do a placement year or year abroad, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year:

  • Placement year - £1,905
  • Year abroad - £1,430

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including NTU bursaries and scholarships.

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees, including the placement year and study abroad options are subject to government policy and may change in future years of study.

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but we don’t want you to feel anxious or confused about it. Visit our fees and funding pages if you have any concerns.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.
  • £17,950 per year

If you choose to do a placement year or study abroad placement year, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year:

  • Placement year - £1,905
  • Year abroad - £1,430

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees might increase from the second year of your undergraduate course, in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

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

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money and the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment as part of your offer conditions. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, in order to enrol on the course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about your advance payment, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Your modules will point you to key textbooks and recommended reading. Many are available online, and in our libraries, but some students choose to buy their own copies. You’ll receive resource lists showing where to access eBooks, digital resources and physical copies. Our friendly Library team is always on hand to help you find what you need.

Printing and photocopying costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the printing and photocopying information on the Library website.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Field trips

All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Scientific Calculator

You will require a scientific calculator for use in examinations (e.g. any A-level approved calculator such as Casio 83 or 85 series, approximately £15).

Year abroad

If you choose to study abroad for a year, you may need to consider additional costs such as visas, vaccinations, accommodation and travel expenses.

Final year project and dissertation

Students will be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £50.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, phone the Student Money Team on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

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Careers and employability

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 Scott Bader, Alpha Analytical Laboratory, AkzoNobel and Institute Medical Research. 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.

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. Your studies at NTU will prepare you well for employment in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and related 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:

  • Scott Bader
  • Alpha Analytical
  • Eurofins Laboratory
  • SATRA Technology Centre
  • AkzoNobel
  • Institute Medical Research

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

  • Research Assistant
  • Trainee Ink Chemist
  • QA Analyst
  • Site Chemist
  • Technical Support Chemist
  • Logistics Analyst

Many graduates also choose to go onto further study on an MPhil and PhD research degrees.

  • Employability Promise

    Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).

  • Assessed work-like experience

    We’ve embedded at least eight weeks of assessed work-like experience into all of our courses. This gives you the opportunity to apply your learning in real-world scenarios, build your confidence, and develop the experience employers are looking for.

  • NTU Enterprise

    If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

You’ll be studying in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Centre (ISTeC) and Rosalind Franklin Building, which includes our SuperLab and Analytical Suite. You'll be allocated your own fume hood and have access to equipment, including mass spectrometers and NMR machines.

Our self-contained, community-focused  Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!

You’re also only four miles away from the bright lights of  Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. During term time, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you there and back in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, cinemas, vintage shopping and an acclaimed food and drink scene.

Applying

UK students

This course has places available through Clearing. Secure your place by calling our Clearing phoneline on +44 (0)115 484 6000 or applying online.

More about Clearing

International students

This course has places available through Clearing. Start your application - call our Clearing phoneline on +44 (0)115 484 6000 or apply online. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly on our applicant portal.

Please read our application guidance before you start your application.

We advise you to prepare and apply as early as you can as Student visa processing time can vary.

We'll send you important emails throughout the application process. Please check your emails regularly, including your junk/spam mail folder.

Clearing info for international students Apply through NTU portal

Personal statement guidance

You’ll submit a personal statement with your UCAS application – here are our tips on what to include and how to structure your personal statement.

Application support

If you have any questions about applying, get in touch through our online form or call us on 44 (0)115 848 4200.

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