Program Overview

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Digital Chemistry (MSc)

About this course

Master the skills required for the new generation of chemical industries. You’ll learn how to use computational modelling, artificial intelligence and the analysis of big data to solve complex chemistry problems.

The chemical industries of today are being revolutionised by big data, automation and machine learning.

This one-year MSc programme will position you at the forefront of these developments, giving you the skills required to succeed within a rapidly evolving sector.

You’ll explore topics like:

• the theory and application of data science
• computational modelling techniques
• AI and machine learning approaches to modern chemical problems

You’ll also develop skills in:

• programming in python
• software development
• analysing large and complex data sets

You'll work with academic staff who are at the cutting edge of research in computational chemistry.

This programme includes hands-on experience in modern facilities, which may include the University’s supercomputer Iridis 5, which can perform over a quadrillion calculations per second.

Working with state of the art computational software and hardware is central to this programme, giving you the ability to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of modern approaches applicable to your own research or advanced scholarship.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in chemistry, or a 2:1 degree with at least 50% chemistry content and an average of a 2:1 across your chemistry modules.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Information for students who have studied in China

This programme only accepts applicants who have studied at an X1, X2, X3 or X4 institution.

View acceptable grades from Chinese universities.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Course structure

This is a one-year course, made up of three semesters. The taught part of the programme takes place within semesters one and two, with the research component taking place in semester three.

Each semester includes twelve weeks of study followed by two or three weeks of examinations.

You’ll complete a range of compulsory modules on the fundamentals of digital chemistry, whilst also having the opportunity to specialise further through a range of optional choices.

Optional modules will enable you to tailor your degree to your interests, whether it’s exploring topics like sustainable chemistry or nuclear magnetic resonance (depending on the prerequisites).

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Chemistry
• Chemistry MSc Advanced Research Project
• Chemistry through the Computational Microscope
• Data Management, Numerical Methods and Analysis
• Programming in Python and Software Development
• Scientific writing and presentation skills for Chemistry MSc

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Advanced Chemical Biology
• Advanced Spectroscopy and Applications
• Atoms, Molecules and Spins: Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry and Spectroscopy
• Inorganic Materials Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry of Functional Molecules and Materials
• Sustainable Chemistry

Learning and assessment

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity, with each CATS credit taken equivalent to 10 hours of student effort.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the option modules you select, the information available on our webpages give an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities.

When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.

Typically, this will involve:

• reading journal articles and books
• working on individual and group projects
• undertaking research in the library
• preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and for other types assessments and examinations

Full information about contact hours is provided in individual module information.

Assessment

Your course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your module mark.

Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or formative assessment for which you receive feedback. Formative assessments are developmental, and any results do not count towards your module mark, but they are an important part of your learning.

Summative assessments usually take place at the end of each module, although some may have interim assessments throughout.

Assessment methods might include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and projects for example. The marks from summative assessments count towards your module mark.

The information available on our website gives an indication of the assessment methods used on your course.

Academic Support

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on your course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.

Postgraduate research students who have undertaken appropriate training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars if their research specialism is directly related to the topic of the module and may also be involved in practical classes, project work and field trips.

All contributions will be carried out under the supervision of the module leader.

One of the most important people you will meet while you are a student at Southampton is your Personal Academic Tutor, who will be allocated to you for your arrival at the University and who is normally a member of academic staff in your own or a closely related subject area.

Your Personal Academic Tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton and will support you in your studies or with other issues you may have.

Find out more.

Careers and employability

Employability skills

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Self-management
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Manufacturing,
• Scientific and Technical,
• Water and Waste Management,
• Education,
• Public Administration,
• Defence,
• Finance.

Careers directly related to this course:

• Analytical chemist
• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Chemical researcher
• Software engineer
• University lecturer
• Pharmaceutical engineer

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Business development executive
• Data analyst
• Software developer
• Financial advisor
• Chartered accountant
• Secondary school teacher
• Management consultant
• Environmental consultant

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Digital Chemistry graduates*:

• Organic chemist
• Research assistant
• Medicinal chemist
• Drug safety associate
• Energy and climate analyst
• Pharmaceutical analyst
• Laboratory and process scientist
• Reporting analyst
• Software engineer
• Technical consultant

See more

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Southampton Chemistry Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Chemistry.

Find out more about the Southampton Chemistry Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Chemistry Deans International Scholarship

Four scholarships offer international students £5,000 off their first year of study of chemistry and chemical engineering at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Find out more about the Southampton Chemistry Deans International Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Related courses

Digital Chemistry (MSc) is a course in the Chemistry and chemical engineering subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

• MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering
• MSc Chemistry
• MSc Chemistry by Research
• MSc Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies