Course summary
The chemistry department at Durham is one of the leading departments in the UK and within the Top 100 across the world. When you choose to study for a four-year MChem degree you will join a dynamic and focused learning community that is home to multiple research institutes, a range of first-class facilities and experts with close links to industry. Current developments in both research and industry are used to bring theoretical learning to life. Chemistry degrees at Durham offer a high level of flexibility. The MChem contains the same core curriculum in Years 1 and 2 as our other chemistry degrees and you can switch to one of the other degrees up to the end of the second year. You will build strong foundations in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and learn practical skills in our modern teaching laboratories. In your third year, you will continue to learn the core aspects of modern chemistry, and start to focus on the concepts and skills required in research. In your final year, you will complete a research project as an industrial placement within the chemical industry. You will learn how chemistry is the central science with learning interfaces with biosciences, earth sciences, engineering, physics and astronomy. You will be exposed to cutting-edge analytical techniques and learn how they can be used to assist research and tackle global issues. Graduates are ready to either move straight into employment in a wide range of industries or advance into further studies and scientific research.
Modules
Year 1 Core modules: Core Chemistry 1 provides the foundation for your future studies and covers organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. The aim is to ensure all course participants reach a common level of knowledge regardless of their pre-university studies. Practical Chemistry A and Practical Chemistry B are two modules of laboratory work. These will allow you to learn and practise the skills required to accurately and safely use chemical reactions to create target substances and concludes with project work. The Mathematical and Experimental Tools Required in Chemistry (METRiC) module builds on your pre-university mathematical skills and ensures that you understand the vocabulary of physics and biology that interfaces with chemistry. Analytical chemistry is introduced. Introduction to Materials Chemistry introduces the fundamentals of solid state and materials chemistry. Finally, you will choose some optional modules allowing you to tailor your learning in subjects such as mathematics, biology, languages or the chemistry module Molecules in Action. Year 2 Core modules: Core Chemistry builds your knowledge of inorganic, physical and organic chemistry into more specialised concepts. Chemistry of the Elements focuses the principles of bonding as well as the unique chemistry of the transition metals. Structure and Reactivity of Organic Chemistry explores how the structure of molecules affects reactions. Properties of Molecules advances your understanding of physical chemistry in the areas of magnetic resonance, surface chemistry and electrochemistry. Practical Chemistry becomes more intensive with three modules, one each for Inorganic, Organic and Physical. Once again, you can personalise your studies with one optional module, including Biological Chemistry, Computational Chemistry or a module from another department. Year 3 Core modules: Core Chemistry takes your knowledge up to degree standard. You will also produce a research-led Chemistry Literature Perspective which will demonstrate your attained skills of literature review, data collection and critical analysis as well as literacy and presentation skills. The remainder of the course can be personalised as you can choose modules from the following sets. Examples of optional modules: Inorganic Concepts and Applications Advanced Organic Chemistry Molecules and their Interactions Materials Chemistry Advanced Computational Chemistry Computational Chemistry Advanced Biological Chemistry Year 4 Core modules: Core Chemistry D provides an advanced overview of more specialised areas of chemistry and chemical physics and is delivered by distance learning. External Research Project is undertaken during a paid industrial placement in a chemical company or research unit. You will impart your experimental, analytical, theoretical and problem-solving skills. The project includes laboratory or computational work, or both, and the writing of a research report. Placement You may be able to take a work placement. Find out more.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you’re eligible to apply.
EU
Wales
England
International
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F111
- Institution code:
- D86
- Campus name:
- Durham City
- Campus code:
- O
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - A*AA
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*DD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher - AAAAA
Scottish Advanced Higher - AAA
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 38 points
Extended Project - Not accepted
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2, H2
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D2, D3, D3
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - D*DD
T Level
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level AAB (or equivalent) which includes Mathematics and Chemistry both at grade A and a grade B (or equivalent) in another subject. To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £30500 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £30500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE