Chemistry (With options for placement opportunities) - MChem (Hons)

University of Southampton

Chemistry is at the heart of solutions to many of today’s biggest challenges, from climate change to the treatment of disease. On this degree you’ll study chemistry to an advanced level, equipping you to change the world for the better. This is our most flexible chemistry degree, enabling you to tailor your degree to the areas that spark your curiosity. Options include medicinal chemistry, sustainable chemistry, chemical biology and the fast-growing field of computational chemistry. You’ll work in fantastic facilities that include chemical engineering laboratories, a dedicated chemical engineering computer suite and a virtual control room, where you’ll learn to run a simulation of a real chemical plant, using the same simulations used by industry to train their staff. The final year of your degree includes an extended project that can be taken within our research facilities, as part of a year-long industrial placement or as an external placement at a university overseas. A university placement could take you to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Singapore or almost anywhere in the world. Most placements within industry are paid, and whichever type you choose you’ll gain specialist experience and transferable skills which will impress employers.You’ll be prepared for a role as a professional chemist or may choose to use your skills in another field. Our graduates have achieved success in sectors including finance, banking, accountancy, sales and marketing, management, patent law and teaching.

Take advantage of our refurbished labs, which opened recently as part of a £12m investment in Chemistry’s facilities. You’ll study in bright, spacious modern laboratories using new, high-tech equipment, which is the same as you’ll find if you go on to work in the chemical industry. Each student has a laptop to use in the laboratory, for analysing data and writing laboratory reports. Gain hands-on practical experience with research-grade equipment such as NMR and IR spectrometers and X-ray diffractometers. You’ll make and analyse your own samples, with full support and training, rather than sending samples to be analysed or watching demonstrations. And your lab work will incorporate modern ‘green’ chemistry practices that are used in industry.

Part of a research-active Russell Group University, Chemistry at Southampton means you’ll learn from staff who are making trailblazing discoveries. Our academics are advancing battery technology for cleaner energy, designing drugs for hard-to-treat cancers, and using digital modelling in the fight against contagious diseases, to name just a few examples. They will share their passion with you, bringing the most up-to-date knowledge to your seminars and lectures. The breadth of their research activities gives you a wide choice of project topics.

You’ll be part of a supportive Chemistry community, with a personal academic tutor to provide any extra help you need, both academically and personally. Between classes, the Chemistry department will be your ‘home’ on campus, where you can grab a coffee in the common room, catch up with friends and talk to staff.