MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
About this course
MChem (Honours) in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry, a chemistry degree situated at the intersection of chemistry with biology and medicine. The course includes a placement year with industrial partners such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, and is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The first year covers foundational principles through modules such as Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1, Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, and Organic and Biological Chemistry 1. The second year progresses with Inorganic Chemistry 2, Organic Chemistry 2, and Physical Chemistry 2. The third year offers optional study in Carbohydrate and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Quantitative Aspects of Medicinal Chemistry, and Synthetic Methodology. The fourth year consists of industrial placement opportunities with organisations including BP, DSM, and Roche. The fifth year concludes the programme with advanced study in modules such as Asymmetric Synthesis, Chemical Biology, Molecular Recognition, Natural Products, Biosynthesis and Enzyme Co-factors, and Reactive Intermediates.
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: AAA, including A in Chemistry. IB: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Chemistry and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Biology Computer Science Economics Geography Mathematics Physics.
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What students say
Based on about 32 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 70%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 85 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 4%
What graduates do next
Based on about 23 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 45%
- Working and studying: 30%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 35%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 75 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 7%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 3%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 13%
- South East: 12%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 30%
Who gets in
Based on about 95 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 9%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Modules
- Inorganic and Physical Chemistry 1
- Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- Organic and Biological Chemistry 1
- Inorganic Chemistry 2
- Organic Chemistry 2
- Organic Chemistry 2 (French)
- Physical Chemistry 2
- Carbohydrate and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Mechanism in Organic Chemistry
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Quantitative Aspects of Medicinal Chemistry
- Synthetic Methodology
- AstraZeneca (UK)
- BP (UK)
- DSM (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
- GlaxoSmithKline (UK)
- Helleday Laboratories (Stockholm, Sweden)
- Novartis (Basel, Switzerland)
- Proctor and Gamble (UK)
- Roche (Basel, Switzerland)
- Syngenta (UK)
- Asymmetric Synthesis
- Chemical Biology
- Molecular Recognition
- Natural Products, Biosynthesis and Enzyme Co-factors
- Reactive Intermediates
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £30,000 after 3 years, £35,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,000 and £49,500. The £35,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Chemistry.
What do graduates of MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews?
94% 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 Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 201 UCAS points.
Is MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry for fully meeting the academic criteria for Chartered Chemist (CChem).
Does MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on MChem Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at University of St Andrews?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.