Our Chemistry degree is a highly-versatile course allowing you to direct your studies to specialised areas of chemistry. The course places strong emphasis on practical chemistry and focuses on current topics in chemistry research.
You will gain extensive hands-on practical experience within the laboratory with a practical skills module that provides tuition in essential practical and analytical procedures and carry out an independent original research project. The practical and analytical skills obtained, in combination with the reporting of the data generated, are essential abilities that enhance employability within the Chemical Sciences industries.
You will study compulsory modules on advanced topics in chemistry, and laboratory skills for chemists as well as undertake a 90 credit extended laboratory project during the summer months.
This will be complemented with a choice of optional modules, allowing you to gain specialist knowledge in a topic that suits your career plans or personal interests. Optional module topics in the following areas: polymer chemistry, food science, chemical engineering, atmospheric chemistry and colour chemistry, amongst others.
This programme aims to meet the needs of the fine chemicals, cosmetics, biomaterial, polymers, surface coatings, graphic arts and colorant industries by producing graduates with advanced knowledge and research skills in colour science and in the theory, application and analysis of polymers, fine chemicals and colorants.
You’ll be introduced to a breadth of practical research and high-level academic skills in planning, experimentation and processes, in synthesis and characterisation aspects. Optional modules will also give you the chance to gain specialist knowledge in an area that suits your own interests and potential career plans.
You’ll also develop a range of generic skills such as problem solving, information technology and communication. Our graduates enjoy excellent employment opportunities both in industry and academia.
This masters in chemistry by research is a one year course beginning in October each year and is intended for participants with high quality first degrees in chemistry or a closely related subject.
Would you like to carry out an extensive piece of research whilst developing your theoretical skills? Our most research-intensive MSc programme includes a year-long research project embedded into one of our leading research groups and with access to our state of the art facilities.
Theory modules can be selected from topics in synthesis, advanced structural, analytical and spectroscopic techniques, materials chemistry, modelling, biological and medicinal chemistry, and electrochemistry.
You can specialise in a research area of your choice, within one of our main six research groups:
This programme provides training in chemical research and involves both lecture based units and a one year research project that constitutes 66 per cent of the assessment. In addition to units to enhance knowledge in chemistry, participants are offered training with regard to safety in the laboratory and to improve their professional skills, such as data analysis and presentation and oral presentations for example.
View the programme specification document for this course
This analytical chemistry masters is structured around a solid core comprised of the three main analytical techniques – Mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Each of these techniques contains a number of key common themes (data collection, analysis and management). Supporting modules feature further analytical techniques and serve to embed themes of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), facility management and enterprise into the programme. A group analytical project develops interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team and will be the first opportunity for students to independently fully exercise some of the components of the course taught in the first semester. The integral research project provides an opportunity to explore any of the main themes directly or as part of a collaborative synthetic/analytical investigation.
Analytical Chemistry is the largest employment area for the chemical sciences. The Instrumental Analytical Chemistry MSc gives you a boost to your bachelor’s degree that significantly increases your employability. We offer an advanced, instrumentation-driven postgraduate education in modern analytical chemistry with some elements in combination with one or more specialist research areas such as synthesis or data science.
You will receive comprehensive, hands-on, training with state-of-the-art research-led instrumentation in the techniques and provision of Mass Spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction. This training will then be used in your research project, which focuses on the application of these techniques to most areas of mainstream chemistry.
The MSc masters in analytical chemistry programme will provide you with knowledge, understanding and strong practical skills in:
¹ Analytical science currently defined by the EPSRC as principally consisting of mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction
View the programme specification document for this course
With a masters in analytical chemistry you could find employment with:
This one-year taught programme offers the opportunity to study Chemistry at an advanced level, covering both the traditional core areas of chemistry, as well as more specialist courses aligned to the research groupings of the department. The course provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate advanced knowledge, understanding, and practical/research skills.
Would you like to upgrade your bachelor’s degree to a master’s and gain access to a chemistry career in industry or research? Join the MSc Chemistry and develop your lab and theoretical skills. Specialise in inorganic and materials, organic or physical chemistry, or maintain a broad portfolio, for a more detailed description of the available pathways, click the Pathways tab. Courses are available in synthesis, advanced structural, analytical and spectroscopic techniques, materials chemistry, modelling, biological and medicinal chemistry, and electrochemistry.
The MSc Chemistry course combines the opportunity for students to take modules from a wide range of cutting-edge fields in chemistry with sessions on practical, technical skills, and scientific writing, communication and presentation and a three month summer project supervised by one of Southampton’s expert academics. The course aims to:
Find out more about the course visit the programme specification
A Chemistry masters degree will give students valuable insight into postgraduate research skills. Independent project work will support students to develop transferable skills in areas such as time management, communication and presentation skills that are key for career success in a wide range of areas such as industry, analysis, policymaking and scientific communication. Completing an MSc qualification will help individuals tackle the challenges of an advanced research degree at PhD level and prepare them for a career in academia.
The following information summarises the typical pathways offered when choosing the MSc Chemistry degree programme:
Organic Chemistry
This area focuses on synthetic organic chemistry, total synthesis, synthetic methodology, reaction mechanism, organocatalysis, organofluorine chemistry, photochemistry and carbohydrate chemistry, both towards the synthesis of bioactive compounds and organic materials, and includes the study of organic reactions under flow conditions. This pathway offers the opportunity to specialise in the following areas
This pathway consists of advanced postgraduate courses in synthetic reaction mechanisms and is best suited to students who already have a thorough BSc level grounding in aspects of nomenclature, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms.
Inorganic chemistry and materials
This area focuses on the synthesis of functional inorganic, solid-state and supramolecular materials and assemblies to address key challenges in energy, sustainability, healthcare and diagnostics and the deposition of nanostructured materials. This pathway will give you the opportunity to specialise in the following areas
This pathway is best suited to students who already have a thorough BSc level grounding in the fundamentals and applications of inorganic chemisry.
Physical chemistry
This pathway is best suited to students who already have a thorough BSc level grounding in the fundamentals and applications of inorganic chemistry. This area covers a wide range of fundamental and applied topics. This pathway will give you the opportunity to specialise in the following areas
This pathway is best suited to students who already have a thorough BSc level grounding in the fundamentals and applications of physical chemistry, in particular quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, thermodynamics and kinetics
General chemistry
You can choose to further your knowledge across a blend of advanced courses from organic, inorganic and/or physical chemistry (any combination). This pathway is suited to those wishing to develop an interdisciplinary expertise. If you choose this pathway you should already have a sound BSc-level grounding in the areas of chemistry in which you intend to choose modules (see other boxes).
The Southampton Electrochemistry Group has a leading international reputation for both research and education. The group is spread across Chemistry in the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Sciences in the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment. Research spans the breadth of modern electrochemistry from fundamental studies of electrode surfaces and reactions through to applications in sensors, batteries, and fuel cells. The group has been active in education in Electrochemistry for over 40 years, hosting an annual summer school attended by 20 to 40 delegates per year from across the world.
This taught MSc builds upon our international reputation for excellence in research and education in Electrochemistry by offering an advanced, postgraduate education in Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies from the fundamental principles through to applications in energy storage, energy conversion and Electrochemical Engineering. The programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in these areas..
The MSc Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies programme aims to:
• to instil an enthusiasm for electrochemistry and battery science, an appreciation of their applications in different contexts and to involve you in an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of learning and studying;
• to establish an appreciation of the importance and sustainability of the chemical sciences in an industrial, academic, economic, environmental and social context;
• to develop, through an education in chemistry, a range of appropriate generic skills, of value in chemical and non-chemical employment;
• to extend your comprehension of key chemical concepts as applied to Electrochemistry and battery processes and so provide you with an in-depth understanding of this specialised area of chemistry;
• to provide you with the ability to plan and carry out experiments independently and assess the significance of outcomes;
• to develop your ability to adapt and apply methodology to the solution of unfamiliar types of problems;
• to instil a critical awareness of advances at the forefront of Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies;
Employability is about more than just getting a job. We believe in helping our students gain the necessary experience for a future career, along with the skills to identify opportunities and make the most of them. It is reassuring to know that Chemistry degrees are third only behind Medicine and Dentistry as the degree which offers the highest financial return over the term of the graduate's career, but the rewards of a Chemistry degree lie at a deeper personal level and not just in terms of financial return.
During your year here you will have the opportunity to broaden your options by meeting employers, getting involved in volunteering activities, work placements and much more.
A significant proportion of our graduates decide to go into research by taking a PhD qualification, most of them staying in Southampton. But careers in industry and commerce are available even in the toughest economic times.
There are also research and teaching opportunities and the options to branch out into other fields such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, even finance, and the law and science journalism. This is because chemistry gives you the confidence to take on so many varied challenges in life.
With a Chemistry degree from the University of Southampton your career path will be limited only by the level of your commitment and determination
Chemists have always been in demand worldwide with pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, fine chemicals, and within research laboratories across the globe. The programme at Aberdeen is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Aberdeen is noted for Nobel prizes within Chemistry which include the invention of modern chromatography (Synge 1952) and the discovery of a new element - protactinium (Soddy 1921). Teaching at Aberdeen is informed by world class research within food security. Class sizes are kept small to enable you to have strong teaching interaction and support in your studies. You will be taught by many staff in the environment group (TESLA) and (MBC)
The programme focuses on specialised modern analytical methodology. The range of industries or institutes where these skills are asked for includes the pharmaceutical industry, environmental institutions, research institutes and also the oil & gas industry. There are many new innovations which require chemists with advanced skills to analyse and test new methods of providing health via IOT devices, smart phones and small sensors deployed throughout the body to quickly provide analysis and customised recommendations.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
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*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page and the latest postgraduate opportunities
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