Key information
Find out more about our 3 year honours degree option.
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- BSc (Hons)
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
Launch your future in pharmaceutical science with a degree designed for the next generation of drug discovery experts. The BSc (Hons) Medicinal Chemistry programme at Heriot-Watt University offers a rigorous and modern education tailored to students passionate about the science behind medicines and the fight against disease.
Over four years, you will build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy and organic synthesis. As you progress, your studies will increasingly focus on medicinal chemistry topics such as pharmacology, enzyme kinetics, drug design, molecular modelling, and pharmaceutical analysis as well as the use of AI and machine learning in drug development.
Hands-on laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, developing your technical skills and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. You'll gain confidence in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication — essential skills for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
The BSc degree provides a clear and structured pathway into roles such as drug discovery scientist, pharmaceutical analyst, and toxicologist. Graduates are well-equipped for employment or for pursuing further study, including MSc and PhD programmes. This career-focused programme responds to growing demand for expertise in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, combining scientific depth with practical training to prepare you for a rewarding future in healthcare and life sciences.
Your student experience
Your learning will be informed by research-active staff with expertise in pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. Heriot-Watt has a long-standing reputation in this field, supported by academics internationally recognised in synthetic chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology and pharmacology. Staff contributing to the programme are based across the Institute of Chemical Sciences (ICS) and the Institute of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (IB3), with two new medicinal chemistry experts joining ICS in 2024.
Teaching is directly informed by research, including work on drug design and delivery, and underpinned by excellent facilities such as high-resolution NMR, X-ray crystallography, laser science, and computational chemistry. Pharmaceutical chemistry is already well established at Heriot-Watt, with four existing modules and two new modules delivered by experienced staff. Interdisciplinary links, enrich the programme through additional course options in biological and pharmaceutical sciences.
Research in ICS is divided into four main research groupings:
The research and industry focused nature of this undergraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and up to date with current and emerging trends.
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
European Exchange
Worldwide Exchange
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Principles of Chemistry
- Chemical Applications 1
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 1
- Introductory Biology 1
Mandatory January
- Chemical Reactivity
- Chemical Applications 2
- Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists 2
- Introductory Biology 2
Year 2
Mandatory September
- Atomic & Molecular Structure & Chemical Bonding
- Organic Structural Identification, Stereochemistry & Reaction Mechanisms
- Chemical Thermodynamics & Introductory Chemical Kinetics
- Foundations of Drug Targeting
Mandatory January
- Chemistry of the Elements
- Synthesis in Organic Chemistry
- Atomic & Molecular Spectroscopy
- Introduction to Microbiology
Year 3
Mandatory September
- Organometallic Chemistry and Multinuclear NMR Spectroscopy
- Organic Reactions 1
- Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Mandatory January
- Chemical Structure
- Organic Reactions 2
- Principles of Drug Discovery & Development
Optional September
- Biotechnology
- Pathobiology of Human Disease
Optional January
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Microbiology
- Cell and Molecular Biology
Year 4
Mandatory September
- Advanced Pharmacology
Mandatory January
- Human Diseases and Therapeutic Interventions
Mandatory AY
- BSc Chemistry Dissertation Project
- Modern Inorganic Chemistry
- Modern Organic Chemistry
Programme Video
Chemistry at Heriot Watt
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers AABB (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at A, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B.
- A-Levels BBC- ABB. Must include Chemistry at B, and either Maths or Physics at B.
- International Baccalaureate 29 points. Must include Chemistry at Higher Level 5 and either Maths or Physics at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Minimum entry requirements *
- Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at B, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B.
- A-Levels BCC. Must include Chemistry and either Maths or Physics, with one required subject at B.
- International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Chemistry and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.
- BTEC Extended Diploma MMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HNC B in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HND BB. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
- or are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements.
Year 2
- Advanced Highers AB. Must include Advanced Higher Chemistry and Maths, and meet Year 1 Higher AABB requirements.
- A-Levels AAB. Must include Chemistry and Maths with one at A.
- International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Chemistry and Maths at HL 6.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDD. Must be in relevant science subject, including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HNC A in graded unit with 120 SCQF credit points. (Only available for approved articulation routes.)
- HND BB. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- Global College Successful completion of our Science with Accelerator Programme
Additional information
- Advanced Highers AB. Must include Advanced Higher Chemistry and Maths, and meet Year 1 Higher AABB requirements.
- A-Levels AAB. Must include Chemistry and Maths with one at A.
- International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Chemistry and Maths at HL 6.
- BTEC Extended Diploma DDD. Must be in relevant science subject, including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- HNC A in graded unit with 120 SCQF credit points. (Only available for approved articulation routes.)
- HND BB. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
- Global College Successful completion of our Science with Accelerator Programme
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Employability
Potential career paths
- Natural and social science professionals
- Teaching Professionals
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
Student life
Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students
