MChem Chemistry

Course content

Year 1

Students gain a good understanding of the fundamental principles of Chemistry and are introduced to laboratory skills illustrating various experimental techniques; students also study Mathematics and an optional subject.

Year 2

Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry lectures continue with emphasis on the interrelationship between theoretical principles and experimental measurements. Students choose an optional subject, either the same or a different one from Level 1.

Year 3

Advanced Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry are joined by topics in Analytical and Materials Chemistry. Communication and teamwork skills are developed and laboratory work becomes more advanced.

Year 4

Involves advanced lectures in Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry, together with special topics. Students also undertake a 16-week research project in Chemistry (BSc), or special practical courses designed to give a deeper understanding of modern analytical practical techniques (MChem).

Year 5

Involves an extensive 24-week research project within a research group plus specialist Chemistry courses.

Employability

Work and study

This is what our MChem Chemistry students are doing six months after graduating:

• 40% are working
• 50% are studying
• 5% are working and studying.

Managerial/professional position

• 90% of those working are in a professional/managerial position six months after graduating.

Salary

• The average salary of students six months after graduating: £20000
• The average UK salary of students six months after graduating from a similar course: £20000

Jobs

These are the most common jobs students go into six months after graduating:

• Natural and social science professionals
• Quality and regulatory professionals
• Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
• Business and public service associate professionals

Entry requirements

Year 1

• Highers AABB (including Chemistry)
• A-Levels BBC (including Chemistry B and Maths) 
• Int. Baccalaureate 30 points (with Higher Level Chemistry and Mathematics at 5)
• BTEC DDM (in relevant subject)
• HNC A in graded unit (in relevant HNC)

Minimum entry requirements*

• Highers BBBC (including Chemistry at B)
• A-Levels BCC (including BC in Chemistry and Mathematics)

* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish 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
• 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 (including Chemistry and Mathematics plus Highers AABB)
• A-Levels AAB (including Chemistry and Mathematics)
• Int. Baccalaureate 36 points (with Higher Level 6 Chemistry and Mathematics)
• HND BB in graded units (in relevant HND)
• BTEC DDD (in relevant subject)

Year 3

• HND AA in graded units (in relevant HND)

Additional information

• If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
• For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications,  mature candidates and overseas students.
• Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.

Fees

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries (not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales).

*** 'Rest of the UK' (RUK) students entering at Level 1 receive a fee waiver of one year's tuition fee. Normally this will be the final year, or a year during which students study abroad (either at a partnership institution, or at one of Heriot-Watt's overseas campuses).

Additional costs

You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.

Scholarships and bursaries

View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.