Course summary

The MChem degree at the University of Aberdeen is a 5 year programme accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and leading to the professional qualification of Chartered Chemist. Chemistry is a core science that is not only the very essence of life, but is also concerned with the quality of life and its continuing improvement. The BSc (Honours) degree is the traditional route to a chemistry qualification. It involves four years of full time study (although direct entry into second year is possible for well qualified applicants, and all four years may be undertaken part time). This degree was instigated about 10 years ago at the request of employers and the RSC to provide graduates with a wider range of skills (including transferable skills and more research experience) than those in the BSc (Hons). A feature of all of these programmes is a final year 4-month research project placement in the area of specialisation, usually at an overseas university, research institute or industrial laboratory. The MChem is seen as the flagship degree, and entry into the final two years is dependent on achieving at least an upper second class Honours level of performance in third year. Chemistry graduates are very employable because a degree in chemistry opens many opportunities in areas such as drug development, environmental protection, food chemistry, petroleum chemistry, forensic science and materials development.