Chemistry MChem

  • UCAS Code F101
  • Duration Up to 5 years
  • Delivery type Full Time
  • Study location
  • Edinburgh
  • Number of places
  • 70

Overview

The Course

The core chemistry courses (along with additional chemistry courses) ensure a strong basis in theory and laboratory practice. Communication and enterprise skills are an integral part of the programmes. Students choose a research topic in Level 4 or 5. The programme aims to produce Chemistry graduates at the highest level of professional skill and knowledge, whilst at the same time allowing for a broad, flexible programme in the earlier years.

Career Prospects

Chemistry graduates from Heriot-Watt have a very strong reputation with UK employers and career prospects are excellent. We are one of only a handful of universities that is visited by the ‘blue chip’ companies during their recruitment season. Firms particularly appreciate the practical abilities learnt in the labs.

Overview

The Course

The core chemistry courses (along with additional chemistry courses) ensure a strong basis in theory and laboratory practice. Communication and enterprise skills are an integral part of the programmes. Students choose a research topic in Level 4 or 5. The programme aims to produce Chemistry graduates at the highest level of professional skill and knowledge, whilst at the same time allowing for a broad, flexible programme in the earlier years.

Career Prospects

Chemistry graduates from Heriot-Watt have a very strong reputation with UK employers and career prospects are excellent. We are one of only a handful of universities that is visited by the ‘blue chip’ companies during their recruitment season. Firms particularly appreciate the practical abilities learnt in the labs.

Programme content

Level 1

Students gain a good understanding of the fundamental principles of Chemistry and are introduced to laboratory skills illustrating various experimental techniques; students also study Mathematics and an optional subject.

Level 2

Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry lectures continue with emphasis on the interrelationship between theoretical principles and experimental measurements. Students choose an optional subject, either the same or a different one from Level 1.

Level 3

Advanced Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry is joined by topics in Analytical and Materials Chemistry. Communication and teamwork skills are developed and laboratory work becomes more advanced.

Level 4

Involves advanced lectures in Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry, together with special topics. Students also undertake a 16-week long research project in Chemistry (BSc), or special practical courses designed to give a deeper understanding of modern analytical practical techniques (MChem).

Fifth Year

Involves an extensive 24-week research project within a research group plus specialist Chemistry courses.

Entry requirements

The University offers as its normal entry routes:

  • entry at Level 1, mainly for students with Scottish Highers (or similar)
  • entry at Level 2, mainly for students with A-levels (or similar).

There is nevertheless considerable flexibility, depending on the level of qualifications, for entrants with A-levels to opt to enter at Level 1 and for Scottish students to enter at Level 2. Direct entry into Level 3 is also possible for students who already have certain HE qualifications.

Level 1 entry

  • Scottish Highers AABB or BBBBC
  • GCE A Level BBB (to include Chemistry)
  • SQA Higher National Cert B in graded unit. Additional HNC profile requirement. Please contact Admissions Tutor for further information.
  • Int. Baccalaureate 29 points to include Higher Level Mathematics and Chemistry
  • Scottish Baccalaureate BC in Adv. Higher with Chemistry B, Disciplinary Project C and Higher B
  • Additional information Transfer from BSc to MChem is possible up to the end of Year 3 with a Chemistry average > 60%.

Level 2 entry

  • GCE A Level ABB including Chemistry and Maths
  • SQA Advanced Highers BB (B in Chemistry, B in Mathematics, plus AABB at Higher).
  • SQA Higher National Dip BBB in graded units. Additional HND profile requirement - graded tariff is for guidance only. Please contact Admissions Tutor for further information.
  • Int. Baccalaureate 34 points to include Higher Level Mathematics and Chemistry.
  • Scottish Baccalaureate BB in Adv. Higher with Chemistry and Maths, Disciplinary Project B and Higher B

Level 3 entry

  • SQA Higher National Dip AAB in graded units. Please contact the Admissions Tutor for further information.

Tuition fees

Status* Scotland / EU** England / Northern Ireland / Wales International
Fee Paid by SAAS £9,000 £14,340

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the 3 years before the start of your programme. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries, not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Scholarships & bursaries