Undergraduate
MSci Chemistry with Research Abroad

Develop your appreciation of core chemistry through to Master's level in this professionally accredited course.

Deepen your understanding of chemistry through to Master's level

Build up a high level of laboratory experience and receive training in a variety of experimental techniques

Develop your chemistry expertise on an optional research year abroad or year in industry

How would you like to study?

Study option:

Chemistry with Research Abroad

Course key facts

Qualification

MSci
Duration4 years
Start dateOctober 2025
UCAS course codeF104
Study modeFull-time
Fees

Not set Home
Not set Overseas
Delivered by

Department of Chemistry
Location

South Kensington
White City
Applications: places

6 : 1 (2023)

Minimum entry standard
AAA (A-level)
38 points (International Baccalaureate)

Course overview

Enrich your study of core chemistry on this four-year course, which includes the option of an integrated research year abroad.

You'll be taught by world leaders in the field as you explore fundamental chemistry topics during your first two years.

You'll examine key aspects of inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, synthetic and computational chemistry, before specialising across a series of advanced topics.

An extensive laboratory programme will help develop your practical skills and understanding of experimental measurements and computational models.

Through this work, you'll build a broad range of research skills from finding reliable information, to designing an experimental investigation and analysing and communicating the results.

During the third year, you'll examine emergent ‘industry 4.0’ approaches and technologies such as rapid prototyping, biohacking and machine learning.

Teaching is primarily delivered at our South Kensington Campus, with regular opportunities to advance your skills at our state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences Research Hub in White City.

An extensive research project forms the major component of your final year, spent abroad with one of our partner universities.

This work will enable you to enhance your research expertise in a different academic and cultural environment, with all grades counting directly towards your Imperial degree.

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/course-changes/

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

Year 1

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

i-EngageLanguage of ChemistryStructure and Bonding: Atomic Structure to Molecular OrbitalsIntroduction to SpectroscopyReactivity at Carbon CentresThe Reactions Toolkit: Thermodynamics and KineticsChemistry of the Elements: Hydrogen to UraniumPractical Chemistry 1

Optional modules

Mathematics and Physics 1Medicinal Chemistry 1Imperial HorizonsLanguage for Research Abroad 1

Year 2

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

i-Engage 2

Electronic States and Bonding

Analysis of Molecules, Materials and Mixtures

Solids, Liquids and Interfaces

Chemistry of Molecular Systems

Macromolecules and Materials

Control and Selectivity in Molecular Synthesis

Practical Chemistry 2

Optional modules

Mathematics and Physics 2

Medicinal Chemistry 2

Undergraduate Ambassador Scheme

Imperial Horizons

BPES

Language for Research Abroad 2

Year 3

You’ll study all these core modules. 

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Advanced Chemistry Topics 1

Advanced Chemistry Topics 2

Practical Chemistry 3 for MSci Chemistry

Optional modules

I-Explore

Language for Research Abroad 3

Year 4 (Research Abroad)

Your Research Abroad year consists of an agreed programme of study at an approved university in either France, Germany, Singapore, Spain, The Netherlands, Switzerland or the USA.

 

We currently have exchange agreements with:

Ecole Normale Superieure, France
Université Paris Cité, France
Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles of Paris (ESPCI), France
University of Hannover, Germany
Ludwigs-Maximillians University, Germany
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Leiden University, Netherlands
Utrecht University, Netherlands
University of Barcelona, Spain
University of Valencia, Spain
EPF Lausanne, Switzerland
ETH Zurich, Switzerland
MIT, USA

This is an integrated year abroad so the grades you achieve will count directly towards your Imperial degree.

Professional accreditation

This degree leads to a Master’s level qualification and is professionally accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

This accreditation is internationally respected in an increasingly global industry and graduate market. It will allow you to demonstrate that you’ve completed a high-quality degree programme designed to meet the needs of both students and their future employers.

This MSci degree fully satisfies the academic requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Chemist (CChem). Becoming a Chartered Chemist earns you an internationally recognised qualification which can enhance your career prospects and earning potential

Our accreditation agreement with the Royal Society of Chemistry is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement was recently extended through 2027.

Associateship

In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learningKey

Classroom teaching and laboratory work
Independent study

Years 1 and 2

30%Classroom teaching and laboratory work
70%Independent study

Year 3

20%Classroom teaching and laboratory work
80%Independent study

Year 4

10%Classroom teaching and laboratory work
90%Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures

Tutorials

Practical workshops

Guided laboratory work

Group work

Literature reports

Research projects

Balance of assessmentKey

Examination
Coursework and practical work

Year 1

75%Examination
25%Coursework and practical work

Year 2

65%Examination
35%Coursework and practical work

Year 3

40%Examination
60%Coursework and practical work

Year 4

25%Examination
75%Coursework and practical work

Assessment methods

Written examinations

Oral presentation

Written reports

Coursework

Academic posters

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

Minimum entry standard

AAA

To include:

A in Chemistry
A in Mathematics
A in a third subject (Biology, Economics, and Physics are preferred)

Not accepted: General Studies and Critical Thinking
Science Practical Endorsement: If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.
Language requirement: Study of the appropriate language to at least GCSE grade B/6 in an appropriate modern foreign language.

Typical offer

A*AA–A*A*A (applicants studying three A-levels)

Made to at least 80% of 2023 A-level applicants.

 

Support for widening participation applicants

Our contextual admissions route for UK applicants may entitle you to additional considerations within the application process to help us form a more complete picture of your potential to succeed at Imperial. 

Find out more about who is eligible and what support you may receive.https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/undergraduate/process/admissions-schemes/

Minimum entry standard

IB

38 points

To include:

6 in Chemistry at higher level
6 in Mathematics at higher level

Preferred Mathematics syllabus: The Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.
Language requirement: Study of an appropriate modern foreign language to grade 2 higher level, or grade 3 standard level.

Typical offer

39-40 points

Made to at least 80% of IB applicants in 2023.

 

 

Support for widening participation applicants

Our contextual admissions route for UK applicants may entitle you to additional considerations within the application process to help us form a more complete picture of your potential to succeed at Imperial. 

Find out more about who is eligible and what support you may receive

This department does not use a test as part of its selection process.
 
Predicted grades and scores in your application are important, but it’s not the only thing that drives the decision.
 
Our selectors will also consider things like your personal statement and your references to understand whether there is a good match between you and your chosen subject and department at Imperial. 
 
You can read more about our selection process, including tips on writing a personal statement, in our How to Apply section.

InterviewPost-application open day and interview

If assessment of your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our requirements, you will be shortlisted for an academic interview as part of our interview programme.

There will be a pre-recorded talk by the admissions tutor made available online, about the department, the structure of the course and other opportunities available to enrich your experience with us. There will also be talks and presentations available by the accommodation and finance teams, and from Horizons about the great range of modules they offer. We are organising online Q&A sessions, where you will have the chance to talk to the admissions tutor and to current undergraduates, and you can see more about the department on the Chemistry and Virtual Tour websites.

We will run interviews in the morning and afternoon (UK time) to accommodate students in different time-zones, and each applicant will be interviewed individually. The interview will comprise a discussion with an experienced academic who will be looking to assess an applicant’s motivation for studying chemistry and their potential for the future.

Although the discussion may begin with topics mentioned in the UCAS personal statement, the conversations will likely expand to cover topics that the applicant may not be so familiar with. This enables the interviewer to observe how an applicant thinks and how they reason their way through a problem.

The interviewers are highly experienced and are able to see through nerves, stress and silly mistakes so you should not worry about answering the questions. There are no trick questions, if an answer seems obvious, it might be just that.

We then use the interview feedback in combination with the UCAS application, to decide whether we are able to make an offer, and what the conditions of the offer will be. We will be making offer decisions only after all interviews are complete. We will aim to contact all applicants directly by e-mail, by early March with a decision. You should be able to see this updated on UCAS Hub by the end of March. 

Study option:

Chemistry with Research Abroad

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to Imperial.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher university requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/english-language/

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

You can now submit your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.

Submit your application via UCAS | F104

UCAS institution code: I50

Application deadlines – 29 January 2025 at 18.00 (UK time)

Admissions test – not required for 2025 entry

This department does not use a test as part of its selection process.
 
Predicted grades and scores in your application are important, but it’s not the only thing that drives the decision.
 
Our selectors will also consider things like your personal statement and your references to understand whether there is a good match between you and your chosen subject and department at Imperial. 
 
You can read more about our selection process, including tips on writing a personal statement, in our How to apply section.

Selection

Assessing your application

Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.

Interview

Post-application open day and interview

If assessment of your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our requirements, you will be shortlisted for an academic interview as part of our interview programme.

There will be a pre-recorded talk by the admissions tutor made available online, about the department, the structure of the course and other opportunities available to enrich your experience with us. There will also be talks and presentations available by the accommodation and finance teams, and from Horizons about the great range of modules they offer. We are organising online Q&A sessions, where you will have the chance to talk to the admissions tutor and to current undergraduates, and you can see more about the department on the Chemistry and Virtual Tour websites.

We will run interviews in the morning and afternoon (UK time) to accommodate students in different time-zones, and each applicant will be interviewed individually. The interview will comprise a discussion with an experienced academic who will be looking to assess an applicant’s motivation for studying chemistry and their potential for the future.

Although the discussion may begin with topics mentioned in the UCAS personal statement, the conversations will likely expand to cover topics that the applicant may not be so familiar with. This enables the interviewer to observe how an applicant thinks and how they reason their way through a problem.

The interviewers are highly experienced and are able to see through nerves, stress and silly mistakes so you should not worry about answering the questions. There are no trick questions, if an answer seems obvious, it might be just that.

We then use the interview feedback in combination with the UCAS application, to decide whether we are able to make an offer, and what the conditions of the offer will be. We will be making offer decisions only after all interviews are complete. We will aim to contact all applicants directly by e-mail, by early March with a decision. You should be able to see this updated on UCAS Hub by the end of March. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Department of Chemistry have put together a list of frequently asked questions that often arise during the admissions process.

ATAS certificate

An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.

BSc or MSci?

We offer both Master in Science (MSci) degrees and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degrees.

Our MSci degrees cover more in-depth chemistry study than our BSc degrees, making them more suited to students who are considering a career in research or who may wish to progress to further study such as a PhD.

Our MSci degrees also include a substantial individual project in the final year, which gives you the chance to work in a research environment; you also engage with more advanced research-led lecture modules.

Transfer between courses

Years one and two of our Chemistry degrees follow the same core course content, supplemented by optional modules designed to match your chosen course of study.

This structure offers you the opportunity to transfer between Chemistry degrees at a later stage providing you have studied the appropriate optional subjects, and as such you should apply to only one degree within the Department of Chemistry.

You may need to meet a certain academic standard to be eligible for placements in industry or abroad.

If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your student visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/students/international-students/visas-and-immigration/changes-to-course-of-study/

Transfer to Year Abroad/Year in Industry

Year abroadLanguage requirement

Teaching is in the language of your host country in France and Germany, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.

Availability

There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.

Normally, only students with marks of 60% or above will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students with marks of 70% or above will be eligible for placements in Singapore and the USA.

Please note the list of universities located abroad that the Department currently has partnerships with is illustrative. 

Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.

Year in industry

A Year in Industry allows you to gain paid experience of using chemistry in an industrial context.

You will be expected to help the Department organise your placement, however help is available:

The Careers Service advertises placement vacancies on its online vacancy system, JobsLive.
The Department of Chemistry has a dedicated Industrial Liaison Officer who advertises opportunities and provides support with the application process.

Securing a placement is competitive, so you may need to apply to multiple employers and take part in recruitment activities. Application procedures vary from company to company. They can include CV and cover letter submissions, online tests, Skype interviews, technical interviews and assessment centres.

Students from the Department have previously completed placements with:

GlaxoSmithKline
Pfizer
AstraZeneca

The employer can often be in a location of your choice – including outside the UK – as long as you are successful in obtaining a position there and the placement is approved by the Department.

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

86%Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work or further study*

86% Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work or further study*
14%

80%Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work highly skilled or further study*

80% Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work highly skilled or further study*
20%

*2021-22 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2024

Become familiar with a broad range of research skills.

Gain proficiency in finding, designing, analysing and communicating reliable information.

Chemistry graduates pursue careers in high-demand fields, as well as further education at the PhD level.

Consulting, research, accounting, industrial development, production control, marketing, and teaching are common careers.

Other potential careers include pharmaceuticals, data science, accounting, and defence.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/chemistry-msci/#OptionB