Chemical Science (MSc) 2018 entry

The MSc in Chemical Science provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in modern chemical sciences and encourages them to explore research-led topics through a wide range of modules.

Applications for 2018 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Course type

Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Science (MSc)

Course dates

  • Start date: 10 September 2018
  • End date: 30 September 2019

If you started this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 Chemical Sciences (MSc) page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Course duration

One year full time

Entry requirements

A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in chemistry or a closely related subject area. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Tuition fees

UK and EU: £8,500
Overseas: £20,980

Find out about scholarships and funding.

Application deadline

Applications are accepted until shortly before teaching starts in September. Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

Application requirements

  • CV
  • personal statement (optional)
  • two original signed academic references
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates
  • evidence of English language proficiency (required if English is not your first language).

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

Course information

The MSc in Chemical Science is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Chemistry.

Highlights

  • The course offers a wide range of modules which allow students to develop skills in specialised areas. 
  • The programme introduces modern chemical science concepts and techniques, exploring further advanced research-led topics through a range of optional modules to equip you with a range of analytical, critical and communication skills.
  • Students have access to major facilities across the full spectrum within the School of Chemistry including X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and NMR (both solution and solid state).  

Teaching format

The course consists of two semesters of taught modules followed by a significant research project and dissertation (15,000 words) focused over the summer months.

Teaching methods include:

  • seminars
  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • practical laboratory work
  • consultation sessions with supervisors.

Modules are assessed through coursework and/or written examinations. Typical class sizes range from around 5 students for seminars and tutorials and around 40 students for lectures. 

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

Students will take three compulsory modules during the course and choose four optional modules in semester 1 and three optional modules in semester 2.

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2017–2018 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.

  • Research Skills in Chemistry: covers specialised research techniques for the prospective research project.
  • Literature Review for MSc: an in-depth survey of the published literature within a specified research area which is related to the prospective research project.
  • Contemporary Research Awareness: research colloquia and seminars delivered by external speakers and covering areas within current chemical science research.

Semester 1 – students choose four optional modules for the first semester.

  • Advanced Metal Chemistry
  • Homogeneous Catalysis
  • Asymmetric Synthesis
  • Advanced Spectroscopic Methods
  • Nanostructured Materials
  • Processing of Materials
  • Organic Chemistry Laboratory
  • Physical Chemistry Laboratory
  • Integrating Chemistry
  • Heterocyclic and Pericyclic Chemistry

Semester 2 – students choose three optional modules for the second semester.

  • Advanced Physical Inorganic Chemistry
  • Blockbuster Solids
  • Natural Products, Biosynthesis and Enzyme Cofactors
  • Reactive Intermediates
  • Chemical Biology
  • Molecular Recognition
  • Surface Science and Heterogeneous Catalysis
  • Chemical Applications of Electronic Structure Calculations
  • Energy Conversion and Storage

During the final three months of the course, students undertake a research project culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation. The project is supervised by a member of the academic staff, and the project topic and aims will be selected by both supervisor and student. 

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of a MSc.


The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2018 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

 

Conferences and events

There is an active student-based Chemical Society which hosts guest speakers and organises social events throughout the year.

This programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business, its activities span education, conferences, science policy and the promotion of chemistry to the public. The RSC often organises events and conferences in the Tayside area. 

Funding

Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.

Find out more about postgraduate scholarships. 

After the MSc

Research degrees

In addition to the taught MSc, the School offers a one-year research MSc(Res) and a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Chemistry.

Many of our graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews. The School of Chemistry offers a large number of fully-funded PhD studentships each year. Key areas of PhD research include:

  • Molecular Synthetic and Structural Chemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Chemical Biology
  • Surface Science
  • Theoretical Chemical Physics.

The School hosts the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Critical Resource Catalysis, which provides studentships and innovative training in catalysis research. UK and EU students are eligible for full fee studentships and will receive a stipend (£14,553 per annum in academic year 2018-2019) throughout their four-year course.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Studentship Funding
The University of St Andrews offers around seven funded doctoral training grants each year in Biology and linked subject areas such as Psychology, Chemistry or Physics.

PhD in Chemistry

Careers

Chemistry graduates have gone on to successful careers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries with companies such as:

  • BP
  • Shell
  • Johnson Matthey
  • Siemens
  • GSK
  • Pfizer
  • AstraZeneca.

Other career routes outwith a research environment include scientific publishing, patent law, forensic science, IT and energy consultancy.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills. 

Contact information

School of Chemistry
University of St Andrews
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3800
Email: chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk

Chemistry website

Policies

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).