Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

Prepare for the growing demands of the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical industry with our accredited MChem Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry course. Gain fundamental chemistry knowledge, explore specialist topics and work in one of our leading research groups on a project.

This four-year accredited MChem Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry course will give you the skills, knowledge and research experience for a successful career in the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical industry.

In the first two years you’ll focus on fundamental concepts. You’ll cover the organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry that every chemist needs for a successful career. Sustainability modules also form part of our core teaching in the first two years. You’ll gain hands-on experience from the start of your degree, learning laboratory skills and techniques in our specialist teaching labs.

You’ll have regular tutorials to delve deeper into the complex topics covered in lectures. These small group teaching sessions are led by your personal tutor in first year and subject experts in later years.

In your third year, you’ll explore medicinal chemistry and drug synthesis as part of the core teaching, learning how to use industry-standard commercial software. You’ll also have the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals through a range of more in-depth optional modules. You’ll explore the latest concepts and findings in chemistry across topics such as the structure and mechanism of biomolecule function, synthetic approaches in chemical biology, and molecular modelling. You'll also get valuable independent and group research experience through a biological and medicinal chemistry research project.

In your fourth year, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your research skills with advanced study and a research project. Through a variety of optional modules, you’ll continue to explore a number of specialist topics such as biophysical chemistry, pharmacology and nanochemistry.

You’ll spend most of your final year working on a project that will be aligned with a research group at the cutting edge of biological and medicinal chemistry research. Working on a real scientific problem, you’ll conduct experiments in our state of the art research labs, learning from academic researchers who are experts in their field.

Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

Why study this course?

• Top 20 in the UK for chemistry: The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) accredited course: This course is accredited by the RSC for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

• Build connections and a career: Opt to spend a full year on a work placement. You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a placement with a range of organisations.

• Summer research placement: We offer a guaranteed paid summer research placement if you meet the requirements of our Undergraduate Research Scholarship scheme.