MSci Chemistry and Mathematics
About this course
MSci (Hons) Chemistry and Mathematics, a natural sciences degree combining chemistry with mathematics. Core topics include programming, statistics, mathematical modelling and laboratory techniques. A common first year allows students to transfer onto the BSc Chemistry and Mathematics, MChem, BSc Chemistry, MMath, BSc Mathematics or BSc Natural Sciences at the end of that year. Students can also apply for a one-year work placement, extending the course from four to five years. The first year covers the foundations through Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & Energetics, Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics, Calculus I and Linear Algebra I, with optionals including Programming I and Probability I. Year two builds on this with Principles of Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Spectroscopy, Principles of Inorganic Chemistry: Symmetry and Transition Metal Complexes, Algebra II and Methods of Mathematical Physics II. Year three compulsory modules cover Contemporary Physical Chemistry: Statistical Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Practical Measurement and Analysis Level 3 and Quantum Mechanics III; students choose one optional module from Contemporary Inorganic Chemistry: Organometallics & Catalysis, Computational Chemistry and Materials Chemistry. The final year centres on the Project (40 or 80 credits), involving laboratory work and a written report, supported by Emerging Developments in Chemistry and Advanced Computational Chemical Physics, with optional modules such as Advanced Mathematical Physics IV, Representation Theory IV and Superstrings IV.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA including A in Chemistry and either A*A in any order in Maths and Further Maths at A level or A* in Maths plus A in AS Further Maths. IB: 37 including 7 in Higher Level in Mathematics (maths analysis & approaches), 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 6 in a further Higher Level subject.
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What students say
Based on about 102 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 235 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 92%
- Left higher education: 7%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 91 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 58%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 12%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 28%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Natural and social science professionals: 17%
- Administrative occupations: 6%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 72%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 87%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 54%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 275 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 9%
- North West: 9%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 33%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 4%
- Scotland: 4%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 240 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 99%
- Other qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & Energetics
- Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics
- Calculus I
- Linear Algebra I
- Dynamics and Relativity
- Example optional modules
- Principles of Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Spectroscopy
- Principles of Inorganic Chemistry: Symmetry and Transition Metal Complexes
- Practical Measurement and Analysis - Level 2
- Algebra II
- Mathematical Methods II
- Methods of Mathematical Physics II
- Contemporary Physical Chemistry: Statistical Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- Practical Measurement and Analysis Level 3
- Quantum Mechanics III
- Example optional modules
- Project (40 or 80 credits)
- Emerging Developments in Chemistry
- Advanced Computational Chemical Physics
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £36,000 after 3 years, £50,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £35,500 and £66,000. The £50,000 median after five years is £16,000 more than the UK median for Chemistry.
What do graduates of MSci Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University?
94% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 201 UCAS points.
Is MSci Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Does MSci Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on MSci Chemistry and Mathematics at Durham University?
92% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.