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Chemical Research at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Open days

3Sep
Birkbeck, University of London - September Open Evening
Undergraduate

Course summary

Our MRes Chemical Research is ideal if you wish to further your research career or update your training in this field. It provides you with up-to-date knowledge and extensive practical experience in analytical approaches to chemical research. Why choose this course?

  • It offers you the opportunity to be involved in topical, leading-edge research with teachers who have achieved international recognition.
  • This course has a strong focus on laboratory work, providing you with hands-on training and expertise in a wide range of wet lab, computational and data analysis skills that are highly valued by employers.
  • You will learn in a research-active environment, alongside students from all age groups and a variety of science-based disciplines and academic or professional backgrounds.
  • You will also benefit from participation in group activities and attending advanced lectures on the theoretical and technical background to your chosen research area.
What you will learn You will learn about a wide range of techniques and analytical methods used in the chemical and biochemical sciences in detail, including how to study a range of different sample types using modern experimental and computational methods. By the end of the course you will have acquired a firm grasp of recent advances in the field of study and be able to formulate a research or method development plan alongside the appropriate literature and data searches. You will also learn to apply a critical and professional approach to data quality, carry out chemical manipulations, operate advanced equipment, and work safely and efficiently in a laboratory including carrying out risk assessments where appropriate. How you will learn You will spend the majority of time working on your individual research project in your chosen area of chemical or biochemical science. You will also select two taught modules to complement your project work. This course is available to study full- or part-time and follows a daytime timetable. Each module includes a mixture of theory and practical classes based either in the laboratory or a workstation room. Highlights
  • This course offers you the possibility of collaborating with industry.
  • Birkbeck also offers you state-of-the-art instrumental and computing facilities.
  • In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in a joint submission with UCL, Biological Sciences at Birkbeck were ranked 11th in the UK, with a research environment supporting world-leading and internationally excellent research.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this MRes Chemical Research you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • analytical skills
  • working safely, efficiently and independently in a chemical and/or biochemical laboratory setting, using a range of equipment and instrumentation
  • independent problem-solving
  • scientific reporting
  • time organisation and completing projects to deadlines.
It will prepare you to work in a wide range of jobs and for advanced study at PhD level across the chemical and biochemical science sector. Possible fields and professions include:
  • research scientist in a university or chemical industry setting
  • scientific sales
  • science writer or work in scientific communication
  • employment in the education sector.
Graduates from this course have gone on to be employed at organisations such as Autolus Therapeutics, Ethypharm, Richmond Pharmacology and Comindex. We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Written papers, research project, seminar and oral examination.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

Minimum second-class honours degree (2:2) in a scientific subject; less qualified students may be accepted, if they have appropriate work experience. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £6225 Year 1
Northern Ireland £6225 Year 1
Scotland £6225 Year 1
Wales £6225 Year 1
International £10170 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

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Chemical Research at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS