University of Brighton
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Chemistry
MCHEM

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 4 years

    Part-time: 10 years

    With placement year 5 years

    UCAS code F101

    About the course

    Chemistry research discoveries improve lives and solve global problems. Chemists investigate the interactions of atoms and molecules and create entirely new substances.

    Developed in consultation with employers, our uniquely structured four-year MChem programme will give you knowledge and skills that will equip you for research, or careers contributing to areas as diverse as archaeology and interplanetary exploration.

    The course was developed in consultation with employers. It will be presented to the Royal Society of Chemistry at the first opportunity in 2013/14, so that graduates are eligible to apply for Associate Membership.


    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. Individual offers may vary

    A-levels:
    AAB. Must include chemistry at A-level.

    BTEC
    DDD.

    International Baccalaureate:
    36 points, specified subjects.

    Access to HE Diploma
    pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 30 credits at distinction and 15 at merit or above. Must include 12 credits in chemistry.

    GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
    at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.

    For non-native speakers of English:
    IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    Our MChem combines an in-depth knowledge of traditional chemistry with specialist and transferable skills, with a particular focus on research. Theoretical lectures, interactive workshops and practical laboratory classes lead you from fundamental concepts to advanced specialist options in the final year. One sixth of each year is an application of chemistry chosen by you (for example geochemistry, biochemistry or informatics) to complement your interests and career options.

    You gain hands-on experience of techniques including chromatography, spectroscopy and electro-analysis in specialist laboratories in the new Huxley building. Modern spectrometry and microscopy are also covered. Computer-based sessions using specialist chemistry software and our peer-assisted study scheme (PASS) further support your learning. Your progress is ensured using a variety of assessments and examinations with a focus on solving real-world problems. Feedback helps you develop as a chemist and self-evaluation activities and tutor-based support enhance your employability. We encourage you to develop your skills through a work placement year, supported by a dedicated tutor.

    All of your lecturers are experts and you will conduct research under their supervision in years 3 and 4. Research projects have included nanotechnology, artificial ion channels and the chemistry underlying human ageing. You will learn from the wider research community through lectures from visiting experts and our seminar programme. Our students often publish their research project findings in leading journals and present at international conferences.

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: theory and practicals
    Analytical Chemistry: theory and practicals
    Mathematical Skills
    Transferable and Chemistry Skills
    Applied option

    Year 2
    Intermediate Chemistry: theory and practicals
    Intermediate Analysis: theory and practicals
    Statistics
    Chemical Methodology: molecular modelling and information retrieval
    Transferable and employability skills
    Applied option

    Optional placement year

    Year 3
    Advanced Chemistry: theory and practicals
    Advanced Analysis: theory and workshops
    Specialist chemistry options
    Applied option
    Group research project

    Year 4
    Recent developments in chemistry research
    Specialist chemistry options
    Applied option
    Individual research project.

    You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

    Programme Specification

  • Fees and costs

    The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

    The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

    What's included in the fee?

    When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

    You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

    Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

    MChem  [P3CF001]
    UK/EU 9,000 GBP
    Island Students 9,000 GBP
    International 12,900 GBP

    If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is currently £750 for Home and Island Students and £1,760 for International students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

  • Location

    Location Help Moulsecoomb

    Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.

    View campus maps and directions

    Living in Brighton

    Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.

    Social scene

    Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

    Music event on the beach

    Arts

    The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice festival

    Sports

    Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Staff profiles

    Dr Bhavik Patel, Placement tutor

    I teach analytical chemistry and drug regulation to students at all levels of the Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy degrees.

    My research is focused on the development and application of analytical methods and sensors for monitoring neurochemical signalling during ageing and disease.

    The school has a strong and diverse research base with various researchers working in key themes such as biomemtics and ageing.

    Conducting your chemistry research at Brighton provides you with a unique opportunity to work on state-of-the art projects in multidisciplinary teams. This gives you a strong grounding on the applied nature of your research and also provides key communications skills in order to explain your work to scientist from various disciplines.

  • Career opportunities

    As an MChem graduate you will leave us with knowledge and skills that equip you for research and professional careers in chemistry. Our graduates have been awarded PhD studentships at top UK universities and work in a wide variety of local and global companies (GSK, Southern Water, Novartis).

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    This new course may be subject to change.

    Visit the careers service website.

Applying for 2013 entry

We have limited places available on this course.

Please call us for advice 01273 644644

International applicants should call
+44 (0)207 250 6749

Application process
Book your open day place
Find out more

01273 642090
Email chemistry@brighton.ac.uk

If you are an international student, contact us on:

+44 (0) 207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk

 

Visit the school that delivers this course

Read the subject brochure