Program Overview

MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

The MChem (Hons) Chemistry, Biological and Medicinal Chemistry program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the chemistry of biological systems, from the molecular basis of disease to the design of new pharmaceuticals.

Overview

This four-year full-time program is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry and meets the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem). Students will undertake independent research into the chemistry of biological systems, gaining specialist knowledge of chemistry for biology and medicine.

Course Content

The program consists of a range of core modules, which provide a good understanding of the basic principles of chemistry, alongside specialist modules that focus on biological and medicinal chemistry. Students will have the opportunity to see the exciting contributions chemistry can make in the modern world.

• Year 1:
  • Core modules:
    • Foundations of Chemistry 1
    • Foundations of Chemistry 2
    • Introductory Skills and Practical 1
    • Foundations of Chemistry 3
    • Foundations of Chemistry 4
    • Introductory Skills and Practical 2
  • Academic integrity module
• Year 2:
  • Core modules:
    • Advanced Chemistry Concepts and Applications 1
    • Advanced Chemistry Concepts and Applications 2
    • Advanced Skills and Practical 1
    • Advanced Chemistry Concepts and Applications 3
    • Advanced Skills and Practical 2
    • Genes to Proteins
  • Elective modules
• Year 3:
  • Core modules:
    • Frontiers of Chemistry 1
    • Chemistry and Disease
    • Advanced Topics and Practical
    • Miniproject with Chemistry - Biology Interface
    • Frontiers of Chemistry 2
    • Frontiers of Chemistry 3
  • Elective modules
• Year 4:
  • Core modules:
    • Professional Research Development
    • Advanced Research project (York)
    • Research Communication
  • Research project with a focus on biological or medicinal chemistry

Fees and Funding

• Annual tuition fees:
  • UK (home): £9,535
  • International and EU: £32,350
• Fees for subsequent years:
  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap
  • International fees are subject to increase in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate
• Funding opportunities:
  • UK government loans
  • UK scholarships and bursaries
  • International scholarships
  • Country-specific funding
  • US loans
  • Departmental funding

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching format:
  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Laboratory work
• Assessment and feedback:
  • Examinations
  • Practical work
  • Open book assessments
  • Presentations
  • Written and verbal feedback

Careers and Skills

• Career opportunities:
  • Innovative medicines graduate
  • Fuels technology chemist
  • Production chemist engineer
  • Products research scientist
  • Business services graduate
  • Auditor
  • Patent attorney
  • Regulatory officer
• Transferable skills:
  • Team working
  • Self management
  • Application of IT and numeracy
  • Problem solving
  • Communication and literacy
  • Business and customer awareness

Entry Requirements

• Qualification:
  • A levels: AAB including A in Chemistry plus one other science/mathematics
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: 39 credits at Distinction including at least 15 in Chemistry-related units
  • BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDD
  • European Baccalaureate: 80% overall, including a minimum grade of 85% in Chemistry
  • International Baccalaureate: 35 points including grade 6 in Chemistry at Higher Level and 5 in another science/mathematics at Higher Level
• Alternative offers:
  • Widening participation: ABC including A in Chemistry
  • Contextual offer: ABB including grade A in Chemistry
  • EPQ: If you achieve B or higher in the EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer
• English language:
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
  • IB English: A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level)
  • Cambridge CEFR: 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
  • Oxford ELLT: 7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: 136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
  • Duolingo: Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
  • GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language): Grade C / Grade 4
  • LanguageCert SELT: B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
  • LanguageCert Academic: B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
  • Kaplan Test of English Language: 478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
  • Skills for English: B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
  • PTE Academic: 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
  • TOEFL: 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
  • Trinity ISE III: Merit in all components
  • Other English language qualifications: We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.