MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement)
About this course
MChem (Hons) in Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) is a chemistry degree that includes an extended industrial placement. Core topics include laboratory techniques, research methods, statistics and mathematical modelling. The final year centres on an External Research Project undertaken during a paid industrial placement in a chemical company or research unit, and the MChem and BSc versions share the same core curriculum in the first two years, with switching permitted up to the start of the third year. The first year covers the foundations through Foundations of Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding & Energetics, Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics and Molecules in Action, supported by Mathematical Methods for Chemists and laboratory work in Experimental Chemistry II: Developing Laboratory Expertise. The second year examines the principles of each branch through Principles of Inorganic Chemistry: Symmetry & Transition metal complexes, Principles of Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics & Spectroscopy and Principles of Organic Chemistry: Aromaticity & Synthetic strategy, with Practical Chemistry Level 2 – Integrated covering synthesis and measurement. In the third year, Practical Chemistry Level 3 – Integrated teaches the techniques required for independent research, and students select two or three Contemporary Chemistry modules, such as Contemporary Inorganic Chemistry: Organometallics & Catalysis, Contemporary Organic Chemistry: Pericyclic & stereoselectivity and Contemporary Physical Chemistry: Statistical thermodynamics & Kinetics. Optional modules allow specialisation in Advanced Materials Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Advanced Organic Chemistry or teaching-oriented options such as Chemistry into Schools and Enhancing Pedagogy in Chemistry. The final year is built around the External Research Project on industrial placement, with optional modules including Advanced Research Concepts in Chemistry, Frontiers in Molecular Assembly and Emerging Developments in Chemistry.
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 A in Mathematics. IB: 37 with 766 in higher level subjects, including Chemistry and Mathematics (either Analysis and approaches HL or Applications and interpretations HL).
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Real offers for this course
Applicants have posted 1 UCAS decision for MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) (F111) at Durham University for 2027 entry so far. The published offer is A*AA at A level.
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 78%: 70 offers from 90 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 59%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 76%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 17 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 35%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 160 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 10%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 33%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 100%
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
- Experimental Chemistry II: Developing Laboratory Expertise
- Mathematical Methods for Chemists
- Chemical Systems & Change: Structure & Dynamics
- Molecules in Action
- Principles of Inorganic Chemistry: Symmetry & Transition metal complexes
- Principles of Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics & Spectroscopy
- Principles of Organic Chemistry: Aromaticity & Synthetic strategy
- Practical Chemistry Level 2 – Integrated
- Example optional modules
- Practical Chemistry Level 3 – Integrated
- Contemporary Chemistry modules
- Contemporary Inorganic Chemistry: Organometallics & Catalysis
- Contemporary Organic Chemistry: Pericyclic & stereoselectivity
- Contemporary Physical Chemistry: Statistical thermodynamics & Kinetics
- Example optional modules
- External Research Project
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £33,000 after 15 months, £34,000 after 3 years, £45,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £33,000 and £59,500. The £45,000 median after five years is £11,000 more than the UK median for Chemistry.
What do graduates of MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) at Durham University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) at Durham University?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) at Durham University?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 180 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) at Durham University?
78% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 70 offers from 90 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) at Durham University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
How many students continue on MChem Chemistry (with Industrial Placement) at Durham University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.