Catalysis (MSc)

The MSc in Catalysis provides students with specialised advanced knowledge and skills in modern catalysis. It includes a research project leading to a dissertation. The course details the role catalysis plays in improving sustainability and solving environmental issues in chemical manufacture.

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

• CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
• two original signed academic references
• academic transcripts and degree certificates
• personal statement (optional)

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

After your degree

Careers

Chemistry graduates have gone on to successful careers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries with companies such as: 

• AstraZeneca 
• BP 
• GSK 
• Johnson Matthey 
• Pfizer 
• Shell 
• Siemens. 

Other career routes outwith a research environment include scientific publishing, patent law, forensic science, IT and energy consultancy. 

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

In addition to the taught MSc, the School offers a one-year research MSc (Res) and a two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Chemistry. 

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere. The School of Chemistry offers a large number of fully-funded PhD studentships each year. Key areas of PhD research include: 

• catalysis and synthesis 
• energy, environmental and sustainable chemistry 
• functional materials 
• synthetic chemistry and chemical dynamics 
• chemistry biology interface. 

The School hosts the EaSI-CAT Centre for doctoral training, which provides studentships and innovative training in catalysis research.