Analytical Chemistry MSc

Analytical Chemistry is a fundamental science in high demand for employment in chemistry and related industries, focusing on the separation, identification, and quantification of matter using a diverse range scientific techniques.

This 1-year MSc degree covers both the theory and the applications of many of the commonly used techniques in modern Analytical Chemistry, as well as introducing students to the principles of the “analytical process” and data analysis, interpretation, and presentation. During the degree and the research project, students can specialise in different streams of Analytical Chemistry such as analysis of biomolecules or characterisation of materials.

The School of Chemistry hosts world-class Analytical Chemistry facilities that will be at the core of the teaching and training of our students, not only to provide the theoretical knowledge behind analytical chemistry techniques, but also hands-on experience of operating a wide range of analytical instruments.

The programme will have a strong practical element and significant continuous assessment. Most of the teaching is delivered in small groups and the students are assessed through a combination of:

• coursework
• laboratory reports
• presentations
• exams
• performance
• reporting on the MSc research project

The degree includes topics in:

• Chromatography and Separation Science
• Optical Spectroscopy
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
• Mass Spectrometry
• Electrochemistry and Sensors
• Sampling and Data analysis
• Analysis of Biomolecules
• Characterisation of Materials

MSc Student Experience

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It fulfils the academic requirements for Chartered Chemist (CChem).

• Chartered Chemist

To find out more about this accreditation, please contact chemistry.pgt@ed.ac.uk.

(Updated 13 December 2024; revised 21 January 2025)

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in chemistry, or a closely related discipline, with a strong chemistry component.

We may also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, with relevant work experience and supportive references.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

The School of Chemistry actively supports and guides its students in their career aspirations. Analytical chemists are employed by a range of industries and services (private and government sectors) and diverse career opportunities exist for our MSc Analytical Chemistry graduates. They are qualified to take up many roles in the chemical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, either in research and development or sales and marketing.

Analytical chemists play an important role in environmental analysis and protection, healthcare services, diagnostics, vaccine development, and consumer safety to name but a few. Alternatively, an MSc degree is an excellent precursor to a PhD degree.

The degree also provides training in problem solving and analytical thinking, and provides valuable skills in data analysis and presentation, making our graduates attractive to employers from the IT, management, corporate finance and big data sectors.

Alumni Profiles

• See what jobs our alumni go on to

Chemistry Career profiles

• See the wide range of careers a Chemistry degree can lead to on the RSC website