Catalysis MSc

Program Overview

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Catalysis (MSc) 2025 entry

Overview

Gain specialised advanced knowledge and skills in modern catalysis, and understand the role catalysis plays in improving sustainability and solving environmental issues in chemical manufacture.

Application Deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Starts

September 2025

Duration

One year full time

School

School of Chemistry

Fees

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Why Study This Course?

This course is designed to equip students and professionals, who already have a degree in Chemistry or an allied subject, with a range of analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills. It also introduces awareness of the role catalysis plays in improving sustainability and solving environmental issues in chemical manufacture.

You will study taught modules over two semesters and focused over the summer months you will complete a significant research project and dissertation (15,000 words) to fulfil the MSc requirements.

Highlights

• Provides you with an understanding of the science of catalysis in the context of its impacts on industry and academia
• You will gain knowledge in all major branches of catalysis, including homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, organocatalysis, biocatalysis, asymmetric catalysis and ligand design
• Skills acquired in the taught element will be applied in a short, intensive research project
• This research project is aligned with the interests of the School's world-leading research groups in the area of catalysis
• St Andrews has extensive expertise in catalysis research and has established the EaSI-CAT Centre for doctoral training

Teaching

Delivered through lectures, practical laboratory work, seminars and consultation sessions with supervisors.

Class Size

Range from 5 students for seminars to 40 students for lectures.

Dissertation

During the final three months of the course, students undertake a research project finishing in a 15,000-word dissertation.

Assessment

Through coursework, written examinations, or a combination of both.

Modules

The St Andrews degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.

You will take six compulsory and three optional modules during the course.

If you choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) instead, finishing the course at the end of the second semester of study.

Compulsory

• Contemporary Research Awareness: research colloquia and seminars delivered by external speakers and covering areas within current chemical science research.
• Homogeneous Catalysis: demonstrates the links between catalyst structure, performance, commercial utilisation and sustainability.
• Literature Review for MSc: an in-depth survey of the published literature within a specified research area which is related to the prospective research project, including peer-review-like assessment and a short oral presentation.
• Natural Products, Biosynthesis and Enzyme Co-factors: introduces the origin of natural products and the diversity of enzyme reactions.
• Research Skills in Chemistry: develops knowledge of specialised research techniques for the prospective research project.
• Surface Science and Heterogeneous Catalysis: introduces the important general concepts of the chemistry of heterogeneous catalysis.

Optional

Here is a sample of optional modules that may be offered.

Semester 1

Students typically choose two optional modules for the first semester.

• Advanced Metal Chemistry and Green Chemistry
• Advanced Spectroscopic Methods
• Asymmetric Synthesis
• Electrochemistry and Computational Chemistry
• Heterocyclic and Pericyclic Chemistry
• Nanostructured Materials
• Processing of Materials

Semester 2

Students typically choose one optional module for the second semester.

• Advanced Main Group Chemistry
• Advanced Physical Inorganic Chemistry
• Blockbuster Solids
• Chemical Applications of Electronic Structure Calculations
• Chemical Biology
• Energy Conversion and Storage
• Fragrance, Food and Colour Chemistry
• Functional Materials and Electrons in Solids
• Fundamentals of the Spectroscopy of Molecules and Solids
• Molecular Recognition
• Reactive Intermediates

What It Will Lead To

Careers

Chemistry graduates have gone on to successful careers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries with companies such as:

• AstraZeneca
• BP
• GSK
• Johnson Matthey
• Pfizer
• Shell
• Siemens

Other career routes outwith a research environment include scientific publishing, patent law, forensic science, IT and energy consultancy.

We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage your career is at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.

Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute can also support you with academic and professional skills development. The University’s Entrepreneurship Centre offers start-up support for those looking to freelance as well as create their own business.

Why St Andrews?

Accreditation

The School of Chemistry is accredited through the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences.

Supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business, its activities span education, conferences, science policy and the promotion of chemistry to the public.

The RSC often organises events and conferences in the Tayside area.

Further Your Research

In addition to the taught MSc, the School offers a one-year research MSc (Res) and a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Chemistry.

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere. The School of Chemistry offers a large number of fully-funded PhD studentships each year. Key areas of PhD research include:

• catalysis and synthesis
• energy, environmental and sustainable chemistry
• functional materials
• synthetic chemistry and chemical dynamics
• chemistry biology interface

Events

The School hosts the EaSI-CAT Centre for doctoral training, which provides studentships and innovative training in catalysis research.

Alumni

When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in chemistry or a closely related subject area. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application Requirements

• CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• Two original signed academic references
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Personal statement (optional)

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Fees and Funding

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:

• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

Chemistry scholarships