Advanced Molecular Synthesis
Develop skills in synthetic chemistry with a focus on approaches to automate, analyse and understand synthetic processes.
Acquire the skills and experience required to thrive in synthetic chemistry environments
Build multidisciplinary skills as you explore how molecular synthesis can unlock new opportunities to address societal challenges
Cultivate your synthetic expertise through an extended research project
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£15,600 Home
£43,000 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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White City
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Minimum entry standard
First class Honours in chemistry or chemical engineering
Course overview
Making molecules is fundamental component of many scientific innovations, including new medicines, materials and agrochemicals to address societal challenges. The efficiency and speed of synthesis remains a bottleneck in their development.
This course explores advances in modern molecular synthesis by considering features of reactivity and the move towards a more data driven discipline.
Through lectures, workshops and discussion groups, you'll deepen your understanding of the efficient synthesis of organic and inorganic compounds.
You'll also receive training in a range of modern approaches designed to automate, analyse and understand synthetic processes.
To build your knowledge further, you’ll complete a research project in a specialised area of your interest, which will also build your management, problem solving and communication skills.
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 take the following core modules.
Core modules
Discover fundamental and recent advances in the use of reactive intermediates in synthesis.
Discuss current research in a collaborative environment. You'll also work as a group to present on a chosen topic.
The research proposal assesses your aptitude to critically analyse published scientific literature and helps you plan towards your research project.
Become familiar with Python as a general purpose programming language, as well as specific data processing features and libraries.
You’ll choose one of these optional modules.
Optional modules
Develop a high-level understanding of the tactics and strategies deployed in complex molecule and natural products synthesis and biosynthesis.
Review state-of-the-art ‘enabling technologies’ and explore low-cost open-source automated systems.
Gain a grounding in data science and machine learning approaches, and learn to apply these to large data sets.
You'll undertake a nine-month research project, which incorporates a dissertation, presentation, and an oral examination
The dissertation will describe the context and background of your research, and critically analyse your results and data.
At the presentation, you'll be expected to present your research and answer questions directly relevant to your project.
Your oral examination will probe your overall knowledge of the project and the research techniques you’ve used.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
This is a general guide to how teaching and learning are usually balanced across this course. The methods used may change based on the modules you take.
Key
- Research project planning
- Taught modules and journal clubs
- Individual research
- 11% Title 1 goes here
- 22% Title 2 goes here
- 67% Title 3 goes here
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Workshops
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Seminars
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Practical work
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Virtual learning environment
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Group work and projects
- Research proposal
- Research project
- 22% Title 1 goes here
- 11% Title 2 goes here
- 67% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Group presentations
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Group projects
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Individual analysis exercise
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Project proposal
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Manuscript
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Individual presentation
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Oral exams
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 2 closes on Wednesday 7 January 2026
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH07-02-01
- Descriptor: chemistry
- Supervisor name: Professor Oscar Ces
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
The description of the MRes course that you should use in your ATAS application is the below:
- Title of the research: Advanced Molecular Synthesis
- Description: The MRes course in Advanced Molecular synthesis at Imperial College London is designed to improve the students understanding and experience in all areas of synthesis with an emphasis on modern approaches and techniques, as well as the hardware and software tools. The research will be based in a multidisciplinary area, supervised by academics who are experts in this field. The student will be exploring rational design and efficient synthesis of both organic and inorganic compounds. To achieve this, academics who work closely with industrial partners will guide the students through journal clubs and workshops to critically analyse the benefits and drawbacks of a range of approaches to synthesis. This training will be accompanied by hands-on use of the state-of-the-art, world-leading facilities available within Imperial College London.
Fees and funding
Home fee - MRes Chemistry courses
2026 entry
£15,600
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - MRes Chemistry courses
2026 entry
£43,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsScholarship students of Black heritage Chemistry
Value per award
- Full cost of Home tuition fees and a UKRI equivalent bursary
Who it's for
- Prospective students of Black heritage applying to Chemistry Master's courses
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Apply cutting-edge synthetic approaches in academic and commercial laboratories with the necessary training.
Your research project lays a solid foundation for advanced study at the PhD level.
The Department of Chemistry has strong sponsorship links for those looking to continue their education.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: T: +44 (0)20 7594 2678
- Email: chemres@imperial.ac.uk
Course Directors: Dr James A Bull and Dr Oriol Planas
View the Department of Chemistry website.
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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.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications