Chemistry, MChem (Hons)

Chemistry is central to addressing global challenges like climate change and disease treatment. This flexible degree allows you to study advanced chemistry, customizing your path with options in medicinal, sustainable, chemical biology, and computational chemistry. Ranked 4th in the UK by the 2024 Guardian University Guide, it provides access to cutting-edge facilities, including refurbished labs with high-tech equipment, preparing you for careers in chemistry or fields like finance, banking, and teaching.You'll join a supportive community with small tutorials and personal tutors, learning from research-active staff at a top Russell Group university. Core modules cover organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, with electives in areas like environmental chemistry and AI. Assessment includes exams, coursework, and research projects, leading to accreditation by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Core modules in the first and second year are shared across most of our chemistry degrees. This makes it easy to transfer if you decide you’d like to do our MChem with six-month or year-long placement. Depending on your optional module choices or level of maths study, there’s also the possibility of moving to one of our specialist MChem courses. In years one and two, core modules provide a solid foundation for more in-depth study in your third and fourth year. You’ll learn the fundamentals of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, as well as practical lab techniques. In year one you’ll also take a mathematics module tailored to your previous maths experience. You’ll be able to select optional modules in years two, three and four. These cover a wide range of topics, such as: • environmental chemistry; • chemical biology; • introduction to programming; • medicinal chemistry; • artificial intelligence and machine learning in chemistry; • synthetic methods in organic chemistry; • sustainable chemistry; • quantum mechanics in chemistry and spectroscopy. You can also choose modules from other disciplines such as oceanography, biology, physics or a language. Year three includes advanced practical projects, and in year four you’ll undertake an advanced research project in an area that interests you, working with one of our research groups. You’ll contribute to chemistry research, develop your professional skills and generate new knowledge, and there’s a good chance of getting your research published. For detailed module information, please visit: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/chemistry-degree-mchem#modules.