Course content for year 2

The second year continues developing the core and extends topics from your first year, introducing new areas such as:

molecular spectroscopy
bonding and reactivity
surfaces and interfaces
chemistry of the heavier elements
molecular symmetry
metal-ligand bonding
polymer science
structure determination
stereochemistry and heterocyclic chemistry
plus additional course units involving polymer, materials and computational chemistry

In addition students can choose to combine their chemistry studies with course units from the College for Interdisciplinary Learning , including our innovative Leadership in Action course, which combines study with volunteering and personal development.

Students who are following the ERASMUS programme will be required to maintain fluency in their chosen language, which usually requires you to attend language classes as your optional course units in Years 1 and 2, in preparation for your placement in Year 3.

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Core Physical Chemistry  CHEM20212  10  Mandatory  
Group Theory: Fundamentals and Applications  CHEM20311  10  Mandatory  
Inorganic Chemistry  CHEM20312  10  Mandatory  
Organic Synthesis  CHEM20411  10  Mandatory  
Structure and reactivity of organic molecules  CHEM20412  10  Mandatory  
Chemists' Toolkit II  CHEM20500  10  Mandatory  
Integrated Spectroscopy and Separations  CHEM20611  10  Mandatory  
Practical Chemistry  CHEM22600  30  Mandatory  
Contemporary Themes in Chemistry  CHEM20711  10  Optional  
Environmental and Green Chemistry  CHEM20712  10  Optional  

Course content for year 3

Year 3 - the year abroad

During your year abroad you will effectively be a student of the host institution. You will follow a course that is broadly similar to that delivered to the third-year students who stay in Manchester, but you may be able to study options that may not currently be available at Manchester. The course you follow will be carefully chosen to ensure that your educational development is at the correct level. Your placement year will be fully assessed by the host university and will involve coursework, laboratory classes and examinations.

Both your course director and our Study Abroad Unit will be in email contact with you during your stay, providing help and support when necessary. The Study Abroad Unit offers information about the financial aspects of your year abroad and links to partner universities' web pages. A number of our students extend their visits in order to take up research internships at their host University, and this is an outcome which we encourage.

You have the choice of study at either a European university or on a worldwide placement.

In Europe:

During this year in Europe, you will study chemistry in lectures and laboratory classes, following the syllabus of the host university. Your tutor will maintain contact with you throughout your European placement and you may be visited where possible. You will be assessed by the marks that you gain from your host university and by report on your placement.

Our Study Aboard unit offers information about the financial aspects of your year aboard and links to partner universities' web pages. You can choose to attend one of the following universities during your time away (though this list is subject to change):

Valencia, SpainGöttingen or Freiburg in GermanyENSCM, Montpellier or Strasbourg in FranceFlorence, Italy

Worldwide:

We choose our partner universities on the basis of their academic standing and their ability to provide an overall educational experience similar to that of Manchester. We regularly review our partner universities to ensure that your educational experience is not compromised during your year abroad. As such it is important to note that our list of host institutions may change as part of this auditing exercise.

The current list of worldwide placement institutions includes:

Arizona State UniversityUniversity of CaliforniaUniversity of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)University of Missouri at ColumbiaUniversity of Tennessee at KnoxvilleUniversity of Massachusetts at AmherstUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillRutgers (New Jersey)University of Vancouver (British Columbia)Queens University (Ontario)McGill University (Montreal)Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
International Study Placement  CHEM30630  120  Mandatory  

Course content for year 4

In your final year you will undertake an extended individual project based within one of the research groups in our Department . This will give you the opportunity work on a current problem in your chosen area of chemistry under the supervision of one of our academic staff.

You will study enhanced core course material and also choose from our extensive list of specialist optional course units, which cover cutting-edge developments in chemistry and are taught by world-leading scientists, giving you the opportunity to tailor your final year to the areas of chemistry which most inspire you.

Course units for year 4

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
MChem Yr4 Project Report  CHEM41600  40  Mandatory  
MChem Yr4 Project Execution  CHEM42600  20  Mandatory  
MChem Yr4 Project Presentation and Viva  CHEM43600  10  Mandatory  
MChem Project Planning & Literature Review  CHEM44600  20  Mandatory  
Personalised Learning Unit 1  CHEM40111  10  Optional  
Advanced Analytical Chemistry  CHEM40121  10  Optional  
Computational Modelling Techniques  CHEM40241  10  Optional  
Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry  CHEM40311  10  Optional  
Advanced Organic Synthesis  CHEM40411  10  Optional  
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology  CHEM40711  10  Optional  

Scholarships and bursaries

For information about scholarships/bursaries/sponsorship please see our undergraduate fees pages and go to Department and university scholarships .

Facilities

The University of Manchester offers extensive library and online services to help you get the most out of your studies.

Our modern teaching laboratories are equipped Our modern teaching laboratories are equipped with a wide range of specialist facilities including:

State-of-the-art synthetic labs for project work.

Dedicated NMR spectrometer for exclusive use by undergraduates.

A suite of dedicated analytical instrumentation.

The undergraduate teaching labs also have 3 HPLC and one HPLC-MS instruments to help you learn the fundamentals and applications of measurement and of separation science.

Ten spectrophotometers and a suite of infra-red spectrometers for measuring solids, liquids and gases.

You will also have access to:

Open access research laboratories for Separations, EPR, NMR and Mass Spectrometry.

Cutting-edge X-ray diffractometers.

Research Computing Facility to support teaching & learning in computational and theoretical science.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Career opportunities

Graduate with a degree from The University of Manchester's Chemistry Department and you'll be in demand among top graduate employers.* 

Our Chemistry graduates are skilled in scientific methodology and are numerate, versatile and creative, making them attractive to employers from a range of sectors.

Around half of our graduates get their first job directly using their chemical knowledge; 25% go on to study a further degree; and the remaining 25% opt for diverse careers in a variety of industries. Roles that graduates opt for include: 

Analytical Chemistry;
Biotechnology;
Science Communication;
Finance;
Management;
Computing;
IT.

Whatever field you choose, a chemistry degree can open the doors through a variety of opportunities, preparing you for working in a lab, or providing you with the analytical skills vital for success as a graduate in both a scientific and non-scientific environment. 

International Study

If you spend your Year 3 abroad, you will gain highly sought after life skills and demonstrate a proven ability to adapt to new environments, attributes which will make you highly attractive to future employers.

Read Hannah's study abroad diary to see how her year abroad widened her horizons. 

Careers Service

Throughout the academic year, we run an extensive programme of employability events to further enhance your employment prospects, most of which are open to all students from all years. These events are run in collaboration with the University's award winning Careers Service , involving various alumni, employers and the Royal Society of Chemistry, and include numerous drop-in sessions. Additionally, the Careers Service commits to supporting you for two years after your graduation, helping you to have the best start possible after university. 

* (Graduate Market in 2023 - High Flier's Research https://www.highfliers.co.uk/download/2023/graduate_market/GMReport23.pdf)

Accrediting organisations

MChem Chemistry with International Study  is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry as satisfying the academic requirements for admission to Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) and the award of CChem (Chartered Chemist) for graduates with a first or second class honours degree.

Associated organisations

Graduates are eligible for Affiliate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry at a reduced rate. On graduation you can proceed to Associate or Full membership and Chartered Chemist Status (depending on degree class).

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2024/09453/mchem-chemistry-with-international-study/careers/#course-profile