MChem Chemistry with International Study / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

Degree awarded
Master of ChemistryDuration
4 yearsTypical A-level offer

A*AA, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject. 

Typical contextual A-level offer

AAA, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject.

Find out more about contextual admissions.

Refugee/care-experienced offer

Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements. A-level Chemistry will still be required at grade A. 

GCSE/iGCSE at grade 7/A, or equivalent, in an appropriate European Language is also required for students wishing to enrol at a mainland European university in Year 3.

Find out more about contextual admissions.

Typical International Baccalaureate offer

37 points overall with 7,6,6 at Higher Level, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject.

We will accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.

Full entry requirements

Number of places/applicants

For September 2022 entry, we received approximately 1000 applications annually for 230 places across all first-year courses within the Department of Chemistry.

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Sustainable Development Goals

Find out how this course aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Goal 15: Life on land

Course overview

Spend your third year studying in one of our partner universities abroad.
Choose to study a modern language to complement your Chemistry course.
Gain considerable practical laboratory experience.
Study at a university ranked 5th in the UK and 7th in Europe for Chemistry (QS World University Rankings 2023).
Take optional course units from across the Faculty and University.
We're the most targeted university by the UK's leading graduate employers ( High Fliers Research 2023 ).
Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Open days

For details of the next University Undergraduate open day, visit our  open days and visits  page. You can also view our Chemistry Virtual Open Day , and if you have any questions please just get in touch .

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2024 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £34,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=19217

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances. For information about scholarships/bursaries/sponsorship please see our undergraduate fees pages and visit our School website .

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our courses address.

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal 15: Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Contact details
Department
Department of ChemistryContact name
Admissions OfficeTelephone
+44 (0) 161 306 0888Email
ug.chemistry@manchester.ac.ukWebsite
https://www.chemistry.manchester.ac.ukSchool/Faculty overview

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2024/?s=CH
Chemistry

Compare this course

90%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for Chemistry with International Study (Full time) at University of Manchester

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website.

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website.

Entry requirements

A-level

A*AA, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject.

If you miss the MChem grades, but meet the BSc grades (AAA), you will automatically be considered for the BSc option.  

GCSE/iGCSE at grade 7/A, or equivalent, in an appropriate European Language is also required for students wishing to enrol at a mainland European university in Year 3.

If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Contextual offer

AAA, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject.

If you miss the MChem grades, but meet the BSc grades (AAB, including A in Chemistry), you will automatically be considered for the BSc option. 

GCSE/iGCSE at grade 7/A, or equivalent, in an appropriate European Language is also required for students wishing to enrol at a mainland European university in Year 3.

Find out more about contextual admissions .

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Duration of A-level study

Your application will be considered against the standard selection process of your chosen course if you either:

a) sat your examinations early;

or

b) followed an accelerated curriculum and spent three years studying A-levels where the examinations were taken over two years.

If you are studying an advanced curriculum where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor for that subject.

AS-level

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Subjects welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer

General Studies

Unit grade information

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

GCSE

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically a minimum of five GCSEs/iGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least grade 4/C in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and grade 6/B in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. 

GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.

Including grade 1 or 2 in the Oral exam component, if applicable.

International Baccalaureate

37 points overall with 7,6,6 at Higher Level, including Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics subject.

We will accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.

English language

All applicants to the University (from the UK and overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:

GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade 4/C
IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each sub-skill
TOEFL iBT 90 with no less than 20 in all other subscores
An acceptable equivalent qualificationPlease note that if you hold English as a Second Language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Advice to applicants

Factors contributing to a successful application include:

past academic performance;
predicted academic performance;
enthusiasm for, and realistic grasp of, chosen degree programme;
evidence of interpersonal skills and non-academic interests/achievements.

Further guidance on how to apply .

Your referee should give realistic grade predications for all qualifications that you are currently studying at the top of their reference. If you attend a non-UK school or college that does not provide predicted grades your referee should explain this policy within their reference.

Where you have mitigating circumstances these should be reported to your education provider and relevant exam board. We cannot make further allowances.

We would normally only consider applicants who obtained the relevant qualification within the two years prior to entry. Applicants who have left education for more than two years should contact the Department Admissions Team to discuss their particular circumstances.

You should not normally apply for more than one course offered by the Department of Chemistry at The University of Manchester.

Applicants to this course can change to any one of the courses offered within the Department of Chemistry at any time before the start of the academic year. It is also possible to transfer between our Chemistry courses at the end of your first year or, in some cases, later, subject to academic achievement and approval.

How your application is considered

All applications are considered on an individual basis once we receive a formal application through UCAS which includes details of the subjects taken and grades achieved, a personal statement, academic reference and your predicted grades (if you have not yet taken your final examinations). Candidates may also be interviewed online or in person.

The personal statement is your opportunity to tell the admissions team why we should offer you a place here at Manchester. It will be read by an academic and administrative member of staff. We will be looking for evidence of the following: 

the nature and extent of the interest in your chosen course;
your motivation to study your course and potential to contribute to the teaching and learning environment within the Department;
your academic ability and potential (what do you know about chemistry; what have you read about chemistry; how have you engaged with chemistry at school/college or independently; what aspects particularly interest you);
we are also keen to hear about you - your interests, hobbies, extra-curricular experiences, career aspirations - and how these have prepared you for success on your chosen course.

All applicants should be aware that information provided in the personal statement may be used as the basis for further discussion during your interview with an academic member of staff.

Further information and advice on writing your personal statement and the UCAS application process .

Skills, knowledge, abilities, interests

Applicants are considered on their predicted grades, a good academic reference, their personal statement and an interview.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

We welcome applications from overseas.  We have no quota limitations for international applicants and offer Chemistry International Scholarships.  International applicants are also eligible to apply for the Faculty Academic Excellence Scholarships.

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation.

Deferred entry is granted at the discretion of admissions staff, and is normally granted for one year only and two years at the maximum in exceptional circumstances.

Some English Language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, are only valid for two years from the test date.

Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course. We normally guarantee a place in the current year should an applicant's gap year plans change. However, this is subject to availability of places.

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

If you have re-sat individual modules to improve your grades, we will consider your application according to the standard selection process. If you are planning to re-sit the final Year 13 examinations, or have already done so, the University will consider your application, but we may require further information in order to make an informed judgment on your application.

Policy for applicants who take their examinations in more than one sitting

We are happy to consider applicants who are taking their examinations in different sittings, provided they were taken over the standard two-year period.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again.

Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course.

If you are applying through Clearing, you are required to meet the Clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and Clearing the places will be subject to availability.

Transfers

We are happy to consider students who want to transfer to the first year of this course from other courses within the University. Transfers from other institutions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Transfers into the second year are not normally considered.

Please contact the Department Admissions Team if you require further advice.

Course description

MChem Chemistry with International Study offers you a four-year degree programme. During the first two years you cover all the major branches of chemistry and learn how they are interconnected. Laboratory classes in both years form an essential integrated component of your training and you will conduct experiments in all branches of the subject. You will also study your chosen language (we currently offer French, German, Spanish and Italian) for those students who will take up a placement in mainland Europe.

Your third year will be spent studying chemistry in either mainland Europe (under the ERASMUS programme) or at one of our worldwide partner universities, and currently offers a range of universities in France, Germany, Spain and Italy, North America and Singapore. The placement year will be fully assessed by the host university and will involve coursework, laboratory classes and examinations. You will also be able to access material taught in Manchester in Year 3 via our student portal. This material will not be assessed by us, but you are required to be aware of its content before you return to Manchester for your fourth year. Both the Programme Director and the Study Abroad Unit will be in e-mail contact with you during your stay and will provide help and support when necessary. The Study Abroad Unit offers information about the financial aspects of your year abroad and links to partner universities' webpages. 

Study abroad has to be the highlight of my time studying Chemistry at Manchester. As the educational standard is so high at the University of Manchester, I could take high-level courses when studying in the USA.

The diversity of my practical training allowed me to pursue all available practical chemistry topics at the University of Missouri when studying abroad. A great benefit of studying abroad: combining study, travel, and another culture provided a great learning experience whilst abroad.

Joe Lake Rees / MChem(Hons) Chemistry with International Study graduate

Special features

A range of study options

It's possible to broaden your degree by taking units from the University College , Business and Management for all Programmes in exchange for a few units from your degree.

Foundation Year available

You can prepare for the full degree course if you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry by undertaking our foundation course first.

Flexibility to transfer between courses

It is generally possible to transfer between the various chemistry degrees we offer in years 1-3. This is subject to satisfactory academic performance and completion of the required pre-requisite modules.

Study abroad

You can apply to spend Year 3 studying abroad at a partner university. Students can choose from a range of partner institutions from across the globe.

We will charge less than the standard half fee for students taking up a year abroad and offer to waive or significantly discount this fee for students from less well-off backgrounds. 

Additional course information

Our student community

ChemSoc is a student-run society with the aim of giving chemistry students the complete experience whilst at The University of Manchester. The year begins with the infamous lab coat pub crawl and concludes with a fantastic annual ball! In between ChemSoc hosts socials alongside other societies, allowing your inner passion for your subject to come out and show everyone that chemistry is the best subject.

The society has two successful sports teams, football and netball, with the football team winning the league last year! Teams comprise of first years right through to PhD students, so you will be able to meet lots of new faces!

Besides the social side the society has reinvented its academic aspects; ChemSoc hosts research talks accessible to all students featuring our high level of research from Manchester. Finally, the society encourages students to think about their employability, and have worked closely with the Careers Service to run events throughout the year, such as a LinkedIn workshop.

Our blog

You can read about our students' experience in studying chemistry, work placement and study abroad diaries, as well as alumni profiles in our department blog .

Teaching and learning

Undergraduates have around 20 hours contact time per week and are expected to spend around 30 hours in private study. Your week will be made up of:

Lectures

Small group tutorials

Laboratory classes

Group work

Individual research projects

Computer-based tuition - A range of ancillary mathematics, data handling, presentation and IT skills, and computer based chemistry are taught on the dedicated computer cluster.

Workshops

PASS session - student-led peer-assisted study sessions where second and third year students help you to develop learning strategies and techniques.Personalised learning support

Chemistry at Manchester offers a high level of learning support. You will have weekly tutorials in small groups of no more than 6.

You'll have three Academic Tutors, one each for Organic, Inorganic and Physical chemistry. You'll also be allocated a Personal Tutor to oversee your personal welfare - reflect on your academic and personal development, discuss future goals and agree action plans.

PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) and Peer Mentoring

We are also proud of our innovative PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) and Peer Mentoring scheme. The PASS scheme provides additional support in the area of the current week's tutorial. It is entirely voluntary and second, third and fourth-year students help first years to tackle problems defined by the content of the current tutorial. The emphasis is on showing students how to think about the problems, how to develop problem-solving skills and how to get the most from the educational resources available.

Additional Maths support

We offer additional Maths support to all our students. In Year 1 this is by means of a programme of online, self-directed study with weekly support clinics if you need additional support or advice.

Practical chemistry

Practical chemistry is important in all areas of the subject, and is a key part of all our programmes. Throughout your degree you'll carry out practical work in our modern well-equipped undergraduate laboratories, built to a high specification. Our practical courses are designed to provide experience of the wide range of chemical techniques for measurement and synthesis necessary for the study of modern chemistry. As well as providing the opportunity to do interesting chemistry our practical courses train students to work safely and effectively in the laboratory.

Intensive language support

Study a modern language at the University's Language Centre, which provides weekly classes throughout Years 1 and 2.

Year 4 research project

Your extended individual project will be 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.

Coursework and assessment

Assessment is by a mixture of traditional examinations, coursework, laboratory practical and workshops.

Assessment methods vary widely to suit the nature of the course unit and each level of study. Examinations take place in January and May each year, with around one third of the marks from continuous assessment. The first year is a simple pass/fail, but from then on a percentage of each year's assessment counts towards your final degree classification.

Course content for year 1

First-year topics include:

bonding in molecules
organic reaction mechanisms
natural product chemistry
s, p, and d block chemistry
thermodynamics
kinetics
quantum mechanics

You will also take course units that cover a range of presentational, mathematical and analytical and IT skills. Finally, you have the opportunity to study optional course units from other departments such as Life Sciences (Biochemistry), Earth Sciences (Geology), Geography, Mathematics, Physics and also Languages. For details see the list of optional course units below.

Course units for year 1

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
Energy and Change  CHEM10212  10  Mandatory  
Coordination Chemistry  CHEM10312  10  Mandatory  
Structure and Reactivity  CHEM10412  10  Mandatory  
Chemical Research Skills  CHEM10510  10  Mandatory  
Analytical Chemistry  CHEM10530  10  Mandatory  
Practical Chemistry  CHEM10600  20  Mandatory  
Biological Chemistry  CHEM10712  10  Mandatory  
Fundamentals of Management  BMAN10011  10  Optional  
Maths for Chemistry  CHEM10511  10  Optional  
Environmental Processes and Change: The Global System  GEOG10401  10  Optional