Program Overview

MPhil in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers the MPhil as a full-time research period and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Students are integrated into the research culture of the department by joining a research group, supervised by one of our academic staff, in one of the following areas of chemistry:

• Biological Chemistry: Life is the chemistry that goes on inside every one of us. We seek to understand this chemistry, both the physical processes occurring at the molecular level and the chemical reactions, and we also seek to control the chemistry as a way to treat diseases. Biological Chemistry at Cambridge comprises several research groups with additional contributions from many more. The major themes are biological polymers, proteins and nucleic acids: How they interact with each other and with small molecules. How do proteins fold to a defined structure, and why do they sometimes not fold properly but aggregate, causing neurodegenerative diseases? How do proteins catalyse the reactions that they do and can we make small molecules that inhibit these processes? What structures can nucleic acids adopt? How can we detect them, and what is the role of modifications of individual nucleotides? How can we target medicinally active compounds to where they are needed in the body? By addressing these questions, we seek to improve human health and the treatment of diseases.
• Materials Chemistry: The technological devices we depend on, from aeroplanes to mobile phones, rely upon ever-increasing structural complexity for their function. Designing complex materials for these devices through the art of chemical synthesis brings challenges and opportunities.
  • Members of the Materials RIG invent new materials in view of potential applications. Modern materials chemistry is a wide-ranging topic that includes surfaces, interfaces, polymers, nanoparticles and nanoporous materials, self-assembly, and biomaterials. Its applications include oil recovery and separation, catalysis, photovoltaics, fuel cells and batteries, crystallisation and pharmaceutical formulation, gas sorption, energy, functional materials, biocompatible materials, computer memory, and sensors.
• Physical and Atmospheric Chemistry: Physical Chemistry at Cambridge has two broad but overlapping aims. One is to understand the properties of molecular systems in terms of physical principles. This work underpins many developing technological applications that affect us all, such as nanotechnology, sensors, and molecular medicine. The other is atmospheric chemistry, where the interactions between chemical composition, climate and health are studied using a range of computer modelling and experiment-based approaches. Together, these two areas form a richly interdisciplinary subject spanning the full range of scientific methodologies: experimental, theoretical and computational. It is a research area with something for everyone.
• Synthetic Chemistry: Synthetic research at Cambridge is focused on developing innovative new methods to make and use molecules of function. Our interests range from innovative catalytic strategies to make small molecules to supramolecular assemblies or the total synthesis of biologically important compounds and natural products. Our research is diverse, pioneering and internationally leading. The dynamic environment created by the research groups working at the field's cutting edge makes postgraduate research at Cambridge the best place for outstanding and motivated students.
• Theoretical Chemistry: Research in Theoretical Chemistry covers a wide range of lengths and timescales, including the active development of new theoretical and computational tools. The applications include high-resolution spectroscopy, atomic and molecular clusters, biophysics, surface science, and condensed matter, complementing experimental research in the department.

Educational Aims

The educational aims of the MPhil programme are to:

• give students with relevant experience at the first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision
• provide all students with the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests as well as to be trained in more broadly applicable skills

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• a comprehensive understanding of techniques and a thorough knowledge of the literature applicable to their own research
• demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field
• shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research, research techniques and methodologies
• demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research
• taken up a selection of training opportunities according to their individual needs

Continuing

The department offers a PhD in Chemistry and MPhil students can apply to continue as a postgraduate student on this course.

• Students currently studying for a relevant Master's degree at the University of Cambridge will normally need to obtain a pass in order to be eligible to continue onto the PhD in Chemistry.

Key Information

• Duration: 12 months full-time, 2 years part-time
• Study Mode: Research
• Degree: Master of Philosophy
• Department: Department of Chemistry
• Dates and deadlines:
  • Applications open: September 3, 2025
  • Application deadline: February 3, 2026
  • Course Starts: October 1, 2026
• Funding Deadlines:
  • Course Funding Deadline: December 3, 2025
  • Gates Cambridge US round only: October 15, 2025

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