(Full time) 2022 start
Chemistry MSc
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
At its most fundamental, chemistry is the ‘art’ of transforming one molecule into another. Our highly versatile Chemistry masters course is developed to allow you to direct your studies to specialised areas of chemistry. The course places strong emphasis on practical chemistry, complimented with focus on current topics in chemistry research. This enables the principles and theories of Chemistry learnt to be applied within a laboratory setting to solve real-world challenges.
Engagement with a wide range of Chemistry-related subjects is promoted, ensuring that the course is highly interdisciplinary and contains expertise from a range of specialisms, including Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Physics, Chemical Biology and Material Science. You will have the opportunity to be taught by experts across faculties, to gain the skills and knowledge to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
You will gain extensive hands-on practical experience within the laboratory by undertaking a practical skills module , and by carrying out an independent original research project. Optional modules may provide the chance to build up specialist knowledge in areas that align with your interests and career aspirations.
During the Chemistry Masters course, you will develop your knowledge and skills you need for a career within the chemical sciences industries. As well as learning crucial research techniques, you will also develop a range of key skills in problem solving, information technology, scientific presentation, and scientific communication.
Course highlights
Our courses are shaped by our world-leading research in areas Atmospheric and Planetary Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Colour and Polymer Science, Computational Chemistry and Chemical Physics, Crytallisation and Directed Self-Assembly, and Process Chemistry research and development.
During your studies, you will access specialist facilities and laboratories.
You will complete an individual extended research project, which is typically carried out within a research group and may also include external industrial involvement.
Optional modules will give you the chance to build up specialist knowledge in areas that align with your interests and career aspirations.
Programme team
The Programme is led by Dr Paul Thornton. He provides Polymer Chemistry lectures to students at all undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels. Recently he was awarded the Inspirational Teaching Award at the Faculty Partnership Awards on the basis of student nominations. He has a strong enthusiasm for the advancement of Chemistry research and tuition, and take great delight in sharing this passion with the students.
Dr Thornton’s research is concerned with employing controlled polymerisation techniques to produce functional polymeric materials with applicability within both a biomedical context and in the enhancement of commercially-important processes. In addition, he also have an interest in controlled ring-opening polymerisation to yield biodegradable polymers (homopolypeptides and polyesters) that are highly promising candidates as biomaterials. He is also a member of the Crystallisation and Directed Assembly and the Colour and Polymer Science research groups.
Specialist facilities
You will have access to excellent teaching and laboratory facilities, supplemented by extensive computing equipment. Our specialist facilities include the latest equipment for synthetic, physical and analytical chemistry, 500 MHz NMR machines, a cutting-edge CCD-based X-ray diffractometer, and instruments to enable mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry, thermal analysis, particle size analysis, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, and rheometry, amongst other forms of analysis. Depending on the modules and projects that you choose to work in, you will also have access to teaching facilities from across the different schools and faculties.
Course content
You will study compulsory modules on Advanced Topics in Chemistry, and laboratory skills for chemists, and undertake an extended laboratory project. Within Advanced Topics in Chemistry, you will be able to focus on particular topics that you wish to focus on. Optional modules in, for example, Polymer Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Soft Matter Physics, Materials Science, and Colour Chemistry will give you the chance to build up specialist knowledge in areas that align with your interests and career aspirations.
The focal point of the degree course is your extended research project. Your supervisor will help you to select a project that is right for you, in an area that interests and motivates you. This is your chance to make your own contribution to science. The project will equip you with the independent research and critical thinking skills that you will draw on throughout your future career.
Some research projects may be linked with our partners in industry, helping you to make new connections and develop industrial experience that will benefit your employment prospects on graduation.
Project work
You will typically spend around 12 weeks in your supervisors' research laboratories working alongside PhD students and experienced postdoctoral researchers. Throughout the research project, you will have access to the outstanding research facilities that are available at Leeds.
Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look at the Chemistry MSc module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Extended Research Project for Chemistry-based MSc courses 90 credits
- Advanced Topics in Chemistry (Coursework) 20 credits
- Advanced Topics in Chemistry (Examined) 20 credits
- Practical Skills and Instrumental Analysis 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Metals and Alloys 15 credits
- Ceramics, Polymers and Composites 15 credits
- Nanomaterials 15 credits
- Foundations of Chemistry Coursework (10 credits) 10 credits
- Foundations of Chemistry Coursework (15 credits) 15 credits
- Synthesis and Characterisation of Organic Molecules 15 credits
- Advanced Colour Science 15 credits
- Synthesis and Application of Polymers 15 credits
- Physical Aspects of Food 10 credits
- Colloid and Dairy Science 10 credits
- Food Analysis 10 credits
- Food Quality Assurance and Control 10 credits
- Soft Matter Physics: Liquid Crystals 15 credits
- Soft Matter Physics: Polymers, Colloids and Glasses 15 credits
- Physics of Biological Systems 15 credits
Learning and teaching
You will be taught by experts across faculty, to gain the skills and knowledge to work in a multidisciplinary environment, through a series of lectures, small group workshops and practical lab sessions. You will also get involved in student led activities such as literature presentations.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it is the principal place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme, and modules.
You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
The wide range of continual assessment formats will allow you to improve your generic skills, and to hone your ability to solve problems. As part of the continual assessment of modules, you will give a wide range of oral presentations; prepare short articles, essays, and research reports; perform computational exercises; and undertake group-based problem-solving activities. Your research project will be assessed through your practical work and a written research report.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in chemistry, or a chemistry related subject. Applicants must have taken and consistently scored 2:2 level marks (or higher) in modules covering: organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and analytical chemistry.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).
We are now offering online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. To find out more, read Online Academic English pre-sessional (10 weeks) and Online Academic English pre-sessional (6 weeks).
Read about differences between our online and on-campus summer pre-sessionals.
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
29 July 2022 – International applicants
9 September 2022 – UK applicants
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2022
Fees
- UK: £11,500 (total)
- International: £25,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a job.
The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.
You will have the flexibility to design your masters degree allowing you to gain specialist knowledge in a topic that suits your career plans. The extended research project and introduction to practical skills module, will further enhance your employability.
Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.
Careers support
At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements, so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.
You will have access to the wide range of careers resources and support from your Careers Service. You will have the chance to attend industry presentations, book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops and webinars. Our careers fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.
You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.
There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.