Medicinal Chemistry
About this course
MChem, BSc Medicinal Chemistry, a chemistry degree examining drug design and the molecular foundations of pharmaceuticals. Core topics include Data Analysis. This accredited course features extensive practical work in specialist teaching laboratories and research facilities, alongside industrial placement opportunities and study abroad options. The first year covers core chemical principles through Introduction to Modern Chemistry, Chemistry and Chemists for a Sustainable Future, Introduction to Practical Chemistry and Research Skills, Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter, Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology and Synthesis, Chemistry of the Material World, and an optional module in Maths for Scientists. The second year progresses into specialized concepts with Organometallics: from Bonding to Catalysis, Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life, Chemical Pharmacology and Drug Design, Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics, Practical, Professional and Research Skills for Medicinal Chemists, Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography, and Specialisms in Chemical Science. The third year continues with advanced topics including Extended Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry, Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry in Drug Development, Quantum Mechanics and Bonding, and Project and Research Skills, alongside optional modules such as Chemistry in the Real World, Big Data, Big Science, Ethical Issues in Chemistry, and Chemistry into Schools. The fourth year offers a range of specialized optional research topics like Developing novel inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, The design and optimisation of novel inhibitors of amylin, Third generation drug discovery: human-on-a-chip, Discovery of drugs and biomarkers for cancer therapy, Re-engineering bacterial toxins for drug delivery, Developing novel inhibitors for bacteria toxins via DNA nanotechnology, Biosensors for point-of-care detection of bowel diseases, Optimisation of small molecule inhibitors for uncontrolled bleeding, and Developing an online drug discovery project for use in the undergraduate laboratory course.
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: AAB BTEC: D*DD with a significant number of Chemical and Scientific Modules. IB: 6,6,5 at Higher Level including Chemistry.
See the highest paying Physics & Chemistry degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 74%
- Assessment and feedback: 74%
- Academic support: 65%
- Organisation and management: 70%
- Learning resources: 80%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 40%
- Working and studying: 25%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 15%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Engineering professionals: 10%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 165 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 6%
- North West: 16%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 36%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 13%
- South East: 7%
- South West: 1%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- 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, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- You’ll also begin to develop skills as an experimental chemist in our teaching labs, learning to:
- safely handle reagents/solvents and manipulate laboratory apparatus
- synthesize inorganic and organic molecules of straightforward structural complexity
- determine structure using spectroscopic data such as infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
- record data and physical measurements and comment on their precision and accuracy
- use PC-based spreadsheets, graphics and word-processing packages to manipulate and plot data and to prepare reports.
- Introduction to Modern Chemistry
- Chemistry and Chemists for a Sustainable Future
- Introduction to Practical Chemistry and Research Skills
- Chemistry in Action: Atoms, Molecules, Matter
- Fundamental Organic Chemistry for Biology and Synthesis
- Chemistry of the Material World
- Maths for Scientists
- Organometallics: from Bonding to Catalysis
- Organic Chemistry: Structure, Reactions and the Science of Life
- Chemical Pharmacology and Drug Design
- Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics
- Practical, Professional and Research Skills for Medicinal Chemists
- Molecular Signatures: Spectroscopy and Chromatography
- Specialisms in Chemical Science
- Extended Topics in Organic, Bioorganic and Interdisciplinary Chemistry
- Topics in Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry in Drug Development
- Quantum Mechanics and Bonding
- Project and Research Skills
- Chemistry in the Real World
- Big Data, Big Science
- Ethical Issues in Chemistry
- Chemistry into Schools
- Developing novel inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease
- The design and optimisation of novel inhibitors of amylin
- Third generation drug discovery: human-on-a-chip
- Discovery of drugs and biomarkers for cancer therapy
- Re-engineering bacterial toxins for drug delivery
- Developing novel inhibitors for bacteria toxins via DNA nanotechnology
- Biosensors for point-of-care detection of bowel diseases
- Optimisation of small molecule inhibitors for uncontrolled bleeding
- Developing an online drug discovery project for use in the undergraduate laboratory course
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Medicinal Chemistry at University of Leeds earn?
The median salary is £30,500 after 15 months, £28,000 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,500 and £45,000. The £35,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Chemistry.
What do graduates of Medicinal Chemistry at University of Leeds do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Medicinal Chemistry at University of Leeds?
88% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Medicinal Chemistry at University of Leeds?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 143 UCAS points.
Is Medicinal Chemistry at University of Leeds accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for partially meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Does Medicinal Chemistry at University of Leeds include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on Medicinal Chemistry at University of Leeds?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.