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Medicinal Chemistry - MChem (Hons)

Heriot-Watt University

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Heriot-Watt University

Course options

  • Qualification

    Master of Chemistry (with Honours) - MChem (H)

  • Location

    Edinburgh Campus

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    14-SEP-26

  • Duration

    5 Years

Course summary

This career-focused MChem Medicinal Chemistry degree has been developed to equip students with the necessary expertise to excel in pharmaceutical and drug development settings. Whether your interests lie in understanding how medicines work at the molecular level, discovering new therapeutic compounds, or contributing to the fight against devastating diseases, the programme provides a focused, modern curriculum tailored to those ambitions. From day one, you will follow a chemistry curriculum that builds strong foundations in core areas such as chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, and organic synthesis. As you progress through the degree, your learning will be increasingly focused on topics central to medicinal chemistry, including pharmacology, drug design, molecular modelling and the use of machine learning in drug discovery, as well as pharmaceutical analysis.You will benefit from extensive hands-on laboratory experience, with practical classes designed to develop your technical skills and reinforce theoretical learning. Laboratory work is a key feature throughout the programme, allowing you to build confidence in experimental design, data analysis, and communication - all crucial for a successful career in the pharmaceutical sciences. In year 5, you’ll specialise further through an in-depth research project aligned with your interests and career goals. Chemistry graduates from Heriot-Watt University have a good reputation with employers who appreciate this unique combination of skills and knowledge, and alumni have secured roles with organisations including Veranova, GSK, Charles River Laboratories and Novo Nordisk. You’ll also be well prepared for postgraduate research to study for a PhD.In addition to career pathways that directly use your practical skills and chemical knowledge, you can apply your problem-solving abilities, numeracy and other transferable graduate skills to various roles beyond chemistry. The broad range of skills involved in a chemistry degree means chemistry graduates are in high demand in other employment sectors, ranging from environmental protection to education, law and finance.

Application deadline

14/01/2026

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 25,808per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University

  • University League Table

    25th

  • Campus address

    Edinburgh campus, Edinburgh Campus, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom

VIEW PROFILE
One of Scotland's most international universities. With five global campuses, you will join over 24,000 students and 166,000 alumni in 190 countries.
Global companies actively seek out Heriot-Watt graduates due to the industry-informed programmes that equip you with the right skills to succeed.
Opportunities to transfer seamlessly between campuses in Dubai, Malaysia and Scotland through the university’s ‘Go Global’ scheme.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    Chemistry

    34th out of 50 5

  • Entry standards

    / Max 217
    181 84%

    9th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    81.0 81%

    36th

    7

  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 4
    3.22 81%

    12th

    15

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