Lancaster University
Chemistry MChem (Hons)
Lancaster University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Overall student satisfaction
83 /100
25 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in CAH07

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Chemistry at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £27000 £24500 £29500
25-75 percentile range £24000 - £31000 £19500 - £29000 £22500 - £36000


Salary of all UK Graduates of CAH07

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £26087 £25084 £30411
25-75 percentile range £23037 - £30143 £20483 - £31674 £24333 - £37866

Course Description

Chemists are great problem solvers and analytical thinkers; they have been instrumental in developing our modern world. Our Chemistry degree equips you with a multidisciplinary skill set that will prepare you for your career.

Our four-year MChem degree programme allows you to explore advanced core topics, including chemical synthesis and materials, chemical physics and analysis, chemical computation and theory, and chemical biology. It also contains a significant research component, where you will work for 20 weeks on a contemporary research problem in one of our research groups.

We offer a diverse range of modules that are develop­ed, taught and assessed by world-leading academics, whose cutting-edge research continually shapes the content that they teach. Our modern approach combines the traditionally segregated subjects of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, and teaches chemistry in logical stages. As part of the degree, you will receive an expansive introduction to the foundations of chemistry, from the fundamentals of atoms and molecules, to chemical reaction kinetics. Later years build on these foundations, and develop advanced knowledge and skills in modern chemical theory and contemporary practical techniques.

In your first year you will study the core chemistry modules - comprising two-thirds of the year - along with optional modules that can be selected from a range of subject areas taught in the University. You will develop your practical skills in our brand-new, research-grade labs, with access to an impressive range of equipment. Alongside the technical knowledge, you will gain excellent transferable skills in communication, research, data analysis, mathematics and computation, and analytic and logical thinking; all of which can be applied to many different career paths.

Your second year builds upon the broad fundamentals of first year, and you will cover some familiar topics in more detail, such as organic synthesis, spectroscopy and kinetics, while new, more advanced topics are introduced, such as d-metal chemistry, soft-matter chemistry and quantum chemistry.

In your third year, you will study a range of advanced topics, as well as a research skills module to hone your research skills and further equip you with techniques relevant to your final year research project. You will also have the opportunity to choose from a variety of optional modules in more specialised areas of chemistry.

Your final year will enable you to apply your skills by undertaking a major research project, which provides an exciting opportunity for you to address a significant research problem as part of one of our research groups, alongside postgraduate students and postdoctoral staff. Additionally, you will study a series of advanced taught modules that allow you to examine areas of chemistry in greater depth.

We are a modern and inclusive department committed to small group teaching which we believe fosters a highly supportive and productive learning environment. In keeping with the University’s ethos, we value the importance of maintaining an excellent student-to-staff ratio, and we want to ensure that you are treated as an individual. Our new Chemistry Building offers space to socialise, as well as facilities to help you excel in your studies. Our open-door policy enables students to call in for help and advice at any time.

Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Chemistry MChem (Hons) at Lancaster University

55% Administrative occupations
10% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
10% Managers, directors and senior officials
10% Process, plant and machine operatives
10% Teaching Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Access to HE Diploma

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 6, English Language grade C or 4

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Chemistry, MChem (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2

University Rankings

Positions of Lancaster University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Lancaster University in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #6 
    • #9 
    Chemistry
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #29 
    Chemistry
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]

See all 34 university rankings of Lancaster University

About Lancaster University

Lancaster University was established in 1964 and is located in the rural setting of Lancaster. The campus provides a series of amenities, including banks and a post office. Academically, all of this university’s courses and programmes are accredited and approved by MARP, ensuring that the curriculums delivered here are set at a high standard. In terms of facilities, students have access to a variety of study and recreational spaces intended to improve their wellbeing, such as Meditation and Tai Chi classes, and Woodland walks.

List of 452 Bachelor and Master Courses from Lancaster University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Lancaster University

undergraduates:
12595
postgraduates:
4065
Total:
16660
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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