MSc by Research Chemistry

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded:        Master of Science (Research)
Duration:                        1 Year [Full-Time]
Entry requirements: The standard academic entry requirement for this MSc by Research is a lower second-class (2:2) honours degree in a                                           discipline directly relevant to the MSc by Research (or international equivalent).
Full entry requirements
How to apply: Apply online
       In your application you’ll need to include:

  • The name of this programme
  • Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name)or area of research
  • Your proposed supervisor’s name
  • If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
  • A supporting statement (see ‘Advice to Applicants’ for what to include)
  • Details of your previous university level study
  • Names and contact details of your two referees.

Before applying we recommend that you read the ‘Advice to Applicants’ section.

Sustainable Development Goals: Find out how this programme aligns to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including learning which relates to:
  • Goal 3: Good health and well-being
  • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 15: Life on land

Programme options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc by Research Y N N N

Programme description

The Department of Chemistry offers research opportunities and projects in a wide range of research themes including biological chemistry and organic synthesis, computational and theoretical chemistry, materials chemistry, magnetic resonance and structural chemistry, radiochemistry and environmental chemistry, nanoscience, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biotechnology, genetics, gene expression, molecular biology, microbiology, structural biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, toxicology and biomolecular sciences.

The department boasts state-of-the-art facilties including new laboratories and equipment, and first-rate spectroscopic services support with each researcher supported by at least one supervisor and an advisor with pastoral responsibility.

In addition to superb research facilities, postgraduates in the department have a graduate common room and use of a computer cluster, and training in health and safety, fire fighting, library skills and written and oral presentation skills.

Open days

Visit our Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Research page to find out about upcoming open days and webinars.

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc by Research (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): Band A £h; Band B £7,000; Band C £10,000; Band D £14,500; Band E £24,500
    International, including EU, students (per annum): Band A £28,000; Band B £30,000; Band C £35,500; Band D £43,000; Band E £57,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The programme fee will vary depending on the cost of running the project. Fees quoted are fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for Home students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit the postgraduate fees page .

Always contact the Admissions team if you are unsure which fees apply to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

To be considered for many of our scholarships, you’ll need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor. Therefore, we’d highly recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and make sure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about our scholarships, visit our funding page or use our funding database to search for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world’s call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity. At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.

Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.

To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we’ve highlighted the key SDGs that our programmes address.

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

  • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

    Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

    Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

    Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

    Goal 15: Life on land

    Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

School/Faculty

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

The standard academic entry requirement for this MSc by Research is a lower second-class (2:2) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the MSc by Research (or international equivalent).

English language

All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language.

Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain a minimum IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6 in writing and listening, and 5.5. in all other sub-tests.

TOEFL iBT:  At least 90 overall with no subtest below 20. We do not accept ‘MyBestScore’.

Pearson Test of English (PTE): At least 70 overall with no subtest below 59. Further information on language requirements can be found on our website.

Pre-sessional English: We also accept successful completion of a pre-sessional English course run by the University Language Centre to meet our English language requirements.

Other international entry requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements for your country .

Application and selection

How to apply

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

  • The name of this programme
  • Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name)or area of research
  • Your proposed supervisor’s name
  • If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
  • A supporting statement (see ‘Advice to Applicants’ for what to include)
  • Details of your previous university level study
  • Names and contact details of your two referees.

Before applying we recommend that you read the ‘Advice to Applicants’ section.

Advice to applicants

Before you start your application, you should have:

You’ll also need to make sure you have the following:

  • Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, the area(s) of research you’re interested in, why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed.
  • Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your current weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
  • CV: Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.
  • English language proof: A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.
  • Referees: Names and contact details of two academic referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application.

Interview requirements

An interview is required for entry to this programme of study.

Deferrals

It is normally possible to defer entry to another entry point within the academic year, with the approval of your supervisory team and funder (if applicable).

You can request a deferral by contacting the Doctoral Academy Admissions Team by emailing fse.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk .  If you request deferral for entry in a subsequent academic year you may be required to re-apply.

Programme details

The Department of Chemistry offers research opportunities and projects in a wide range of research themes including biological chemistry and organic synthesis, computational and theoretical chemistry, materials chemistry, magnetic resonance and structural chemistry, radiochemistry and environmental chemistry, nanoscience, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biotechnology, genetics, gene expression, molecular biology, microbiology, structural biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, toxicology and biomolecular sciences.

The department boasts state-of-the-art facilties including new laboratories and equipment, and first-rate spectroscopic services support with each researcher supported by at least one supervisor and an advisor with pastoral responsibility.

In addition to superb research facilities, postgraduates in the department have a graduate common room and use of a computer cluster, and training in health and safety, fire fighting, library skills and written and oral presentation skills.

Additional programme information

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities.

We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

Actively we encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles.

Consider we also offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder), career support funds for conferences, and peer support networks for parents and carers.

All appointments are made on merit.  The University of Manchester and our external partners are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Coursework and assessment

This is a standard one year full-time research degree which provides the opportunity to carry out a research project while gaining valuable skills and knowledge through a tailored taught package. The programme includes 45 credit taught units and a dissertation project equivalent to 135 credits, creating a standard 180 credit postgraduate MSc by Research programme.

The research project will be supervised by a member of academic staff and the project can be undertaken in any of the main research areas including Analytical, Biological, Inorganic, Materials, Organic, Physical and Theoretical.

Programme unit list

The programme unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this programme of study.

Title Code Credit rating Mandatory/optional
Personalised Learning Unit 1 CHEM30111 10 Optional
Personalised Learning Unit 2 CHEM30112 10 Optional
Personalised Learning Unit 1 CHEM40111 10 Optional
Core Chemistry 3 (level 4) CHEM40221 10 Optional
Computational Modelling Techniques CHEM40241 10 Optional
Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry CHEM40311 10 Optional
Core Chemistry 2 (level 4) CHEM40341 10 Optional
Advanced Organic Synthesis CHEM40411 10 Optional
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology CHEM40711 10 Optional
Advanced Bioorganic Chemistry CHEM41411 10 Optional

Scholarships and bursaries

In the Department of Chemistry we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support UK and overseas postgraduate researchers.

Funding is also available at university and faculty level and can be view on our funding page . Alternatively, you can use our funding database to find scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

We’d recommend you discuss potential sources of funding with your supervisor before applying. They can advise what funding may be available to you, and ensure you meet nomination and application deadlines.

Facilities

The Department has outstanding facilities to support both research and teaching.

It houses analytical tools to support chemistry-centric research and includes 11 high-resolution liquid NMR spectrometers and 1 solid state.  X-ray crystallography is supported by one of the best-performing single crystal instruments in the world which approaches synchrotron level capability and is complemented with 3 other instruments and 1 powder XRD and 1 SAXS instrument. A suite of mass spectrometers including High/Low res capability, MALDI, GC-MS and HPLC/UPLC’s are available. Micro Analysis is also available providing ICP, CHNS.

The facilities are part of the faculty analytical platforms which provide researchers access to all analytical techniques available within The University of Manchester Faculty of Science and Engineering.  This currently has over 1600 bookable instruments.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk .

Career opportunities

The programmes we offer place our graduates in the best position to enhance their career prospects.  Many of our Masters students progress to PhD study.  A number of our PhD graduates have taken up postdoctoral research positions in the UK or overseas, where as others have chosen a career in academia or move into industry such as GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, NNL.  The nature of our degrees provides graduates with transferrable and specific skills needed for different careers.