Chemistry MSci
  • Undergraduate
  • MSci

Chemistry

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

  • Undergraduate
  • MSci

Chemistry with a Year in Industry

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

  • Undergraduate
  • MSci

Chemistry with Research Abroad

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

  • Undergraduate
  • MSci

Chemistry with Research Abroad and a Year in Industry

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:

Showing course information for 2025 View 2024 course information

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MSci

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2025

  • UCAS course code

    F103

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • Not set Home

    • Not set Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

    • White City

  • Applications: places

    6 : 1 (2023)

Minimum entry standard

  • AAA (A-level)

  • 38 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements
  • Qualification

    • MSci

  • Duration

    5 years

  • Start date

    October 2025

  • UCAS course code

    F105

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • Not set Home

    • Not set Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

    • White City

  • Applications: places

    6 : 1 (2023)

Minimum entry standard

  • AAA (A-level)

  • 38 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements
  • Qualification

    • MSci

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2025

  • UCAS course code

    F104

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • Not set Home

    • Not set Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

    • White City

  • Applications: places

    6 : 1 (2023)

Minimum entry standard

  • AAA (A-level)

  • 38 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements
  • Qualification

    • MSci

  • Duration

    5 years

  • Start date

    October 2025

  • UCAS course code

    F101

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • Not set Home

    • Not set Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

    • White City

  • Applications: places

    6 : 1 (2023)

Minimum entry standard

  • AAA (A-level)

  • 38 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements

Study option:

Course overview

Develop your appreciation of core chemistry through to Master's level on this professionally accredited four-year course.

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 as your degree develops.

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.

An extensive research project forms the major component of your final year. You'll join one of the department’s academic research groups to complete a six-month independent research project.

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.

Subject to university approval.

Develop your appreciation of core chemistry through to Master's level on this professionally accredited five-year course.

Incorporating a year in industry, this programme is led by world leaders in the field and provides a thorough grounding in fundamental chemistry topics.

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

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.

A year in industry during your fourth year provides you with an opportunity to gain paid experience of using chemistry in an industrial context. Previous graduates have completed placements with leading industrial partners including GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Schlumberger.

An extensive research project forms the major component of your final year.

You'll join one of the department’s academic research groups to complete a six-month independent research project.

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.

Subject to university approval.

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.

Subject to university approval.

Enrich your study of core chemistry on this five-year professionally accredited course.

Incorporating a year in industry and integrated research year abroad, you'll be taught by world leaders in the field as you explore fundamental chemistry topics.

You'll examine 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.

A year in industry during your fourth year provides you with an opportunity to gain paid experience of using chemistry in an industrial context.

Previous graduates have completed placements with leading industrial partners including GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

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.

Subject to university approval.

Study option:

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.

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.

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module. 

(Please note, Mathematics and Physics 1 and Medicinal Chemistry 1 are prerequisites to study Mathematics and Physics 2 and Medicinal Chemistry 2).

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study all these core modules.

Core modules

You’ll complete a research project and choose three optional modules.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module. 

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study all these core modules. 

Core modules

You spend this year on an industrial placement, normally for 12 months.

During this time you remain registered as an Imperial student and usually pay reduced tuition fees to the College. You also receive a salary from your host company.

Our strong industry links means we have an extensive list of firms willing to host our students, some of them in Europe. Alternatively, you can arrange your own placement in consultation with the Department.

The work you do during your placement must be predominantly related to chemical research.

You will complete a formal research project report on the work you have carried out. This will be assessed by your academic and industrial supervisors.

You will also complete the MSci Chemistry Research Proposal and Literature Review.

You’ll complete a research project and choose three optional modules.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study all these core modules. 

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

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.

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll study all these core modules. 

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

You spend this year on an industrial placement, normally for 12 months.

During this time you remain registered as an Imperial student and usually pay reduced tuition fees to the College. You also receive a salary from your host company.

Our strong industry links means we have an extensive list of firms willing to host our students, some of them in Europe. Alternatively, you can arrange your own placement in consultation with the Department.

Students from the Department have previously completed placements with:

  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Merck
  • Schlumberger

The work you do during your placement must be predominantly related to chemical research.

You will complete a formal research project report on the work you have carried out. This will be assessed by your academic and industrial supervisors.

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.

Study option:

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • 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

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical workshops
  • Guided laboratory work
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Literature reports
  • Individual research project
    Research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • 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

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Papers from a written report
    Written reports
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Poster project
    Academic posters

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • 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 5

  • 10% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 90% Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical workshops
  • Guided laboratory work
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Literature reports
  • Individual research project
    Research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • 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

  • 0% Examination
  • 100% Coursework and practical work

Year 5

  • 25% Examination
  • 75% Coursework and practical work

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Papers from a written report
    Written reports
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Poster project
    Academic posters

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • 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

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical workshops
  • Guided laboratory work
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Literature reports
  • Individual research project
    Research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • 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

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Papers from a written report
    Written reports
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Poster project
    Academic posters

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • 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 5

  • 10% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 90% Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical workshops
  • Guided laboratory work
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Literature reports
  • Individual research project
    Research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • 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

  • 0% Examination
  • 100% Coursework and practical work

Year 5

  • 25% Examination
  • 75% Coursework and practical work

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Papers from a written report
    Written reports
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Poster project
    Academic posters

Study option:

Entry requirements

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

Study option:

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

When applications open, you will be able to start your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.

Applications open on 14 May 2024

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

Applications open on 14 May 2024

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

Applications open on 14 May 2024

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

Applications open on 14 May 2024

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

Tuition fees

Home fee

2025 entry

Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2024–25 was £9,250 per year

Year abroad

2025 entry

Not set
For the 2024–25 year abroad, the fee was £1,385 for that year

Year in industry

2025 entry

Not set
For the 2024–25 year in industry, the fee was £1,850 for that year

Overseas fee

2025 entry

Not set
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2024–25 was £41,650 per year

Year abroad

2025 entry

Not set
For the 2024–25 year abroad, the fee was 100% of the fee for that year

Year in industry

2025 entry

Not set
For the 2024–25 year in industry, the fee was 20% of the fee for that year

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

Chemistry research on computer screen

Become familiar with a broad range of research skills.

Magnifying glass over a research paper

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

Chemistry symbol

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

Consultant with a speech bubble

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

Medicine logo in circle

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

Course data

Compare this course – Chemistry MSci

Compare this course – Chemistry with a Year in Industry MSci

Compare this course – Chemistry with Research Abroad MSci

Compare this course – Chemistry with Research Abroad and a Year in Industry MSci

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications