Course summary

This career-focused BSc Medicinal Chemistry degree has been developed to equip students with the necessary expertise to excel in pharmaceutical and drug development settings. Whether your interests lie in understanding how medicines work at the molecular level, discovering new therapeutic compounds, or contributing to the fight against devastating diseases, the programme provides a focused, modern curriculum tailored to those ambitions. From day one, you will follow a chemistry curriculum that builds strong foundations in core areas such as chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, and organic synthesis. As you progress through the degree, your learning will be increasingly focused on topics central to medicinal chemistry, including pharmacology, drug design, molecular modelling, as well as pharmaceutical analysis. You will benefit from extensive hands-on laboratory experience, with practical classes designed to develop your technical skills and reinforce theoretical learning. Laboratory work is a key feature throughout the programme, allowing you to build confidence in experimental design, data analysis, and communication — all crucial for a wide variety of career paths. Chemistry graduates from Heriot-Watt University have a good reputation with employers who appreciate this unique combination of skills and knowledge, and alumni have secured roles with organisations including GSK, Scottish Water, Heineken and Fujifilm. The broad range of skills involved in a chemistry degree means chemistry graduates are in high demand in other employment sectors, ranging from environmental protection to teaching, law and finance. You’ll also be well prepared for postgraduate study through specialist taught MScs.