Medicinal Chemistry with a Year in Industry MChem, BSc

Course overview

Medicinal chemistry has had a monumental impact on the landscape of society today. It’s the hundreds of years of research and development undergone by medicinal chemists all over the world which have revolutionised modern medicines, creating innovations in everything from pain relief to cancer treatments. Without these ongoing discoveries, our world would be a very different place — and it’s no surprise why the field of medicinal chemistry is highly sought after across a variety of industries worldwide.

Studying medicinal chemistry at Leeds will enable you to delve into the fundamental concepts and new practices used by modern chemists, taught by academics who are leaders in their fields. This will give you the key knowledge and experience you need to begin your career in this highly valued profession and make a real impact across the globe.

Here at Leeds, this accredited course will provide you with widely transferable skills in areas like teamwork and data analysis and the unique opportunity to get involved in real-world research happening in the University.

Practical work features heavily in this course. As such, you’ll have access to a range of facilities right here on campus including specialist teaching laboratories and research facilities with the latest equipment for synthetic, physical and analytical chemistry to ensure you have the best grounding to head out into your professional career.

Industrial placement year

This programme gives you the opportunity to spend your third year working in a paid industrial placement year within a chemistry-based setting as part of the course . Here, you’ll gain a unique insight into working in this sector whilst building industry contacts and developing the experience you’ll need to stand out to employers when you graduate. Our close industry links have given previous students the chance to work at — and build professional relationships with — organisations such as GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever and AkzoNobel.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAA - AAB

AAB including Chemistry and Maths or AAA including Chemistry.

Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and International Project Qualification (IPQ): We recognise the value of these qualifications and the effort and enthusiasm that applicants put into them, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ or IPQ we may make an offer of ABB or AAB at A-Level, depending on subjects presented.

GCSE: English Language grade C (4), or an equivalent English language qualification, and Mathematics grade B (6). We will accept Level 2 Functional Skills English in lieu of GCSE English.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: BBB including Chemistry and pass Access to Leeds. For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any one component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Career opportunities

The employment opportunities available to you as a medicinal chemistry graduate are extensive across numerous industries, with the potential to take you all over the world.

Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Qualifying with a degree in medicinal chemistry from Leeds will set you up with the core foundations you need to pursue an exciting career in a wide range of sectors, including:

• Energy
• Pharmaceuticals
• Finance
• Environment
• Food and drink
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Technology
• Education
• Healthcare
• Scientific research and development
• Legal
• Data analytics

The breadth of knowledge and experience, along with the teamwork, problem-solving, research, communication and IT skills taught on the course and developed from your year working in industry are widely transferable and desirable to a whole host of employers.

Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our chemistry graduates have obtained:

• Finance director, Danaher and Walsh group limited
• Project Manager, GlaxoSmithKline
• Science Teacher, Horsforth School
• Investment Consultant, Mercer
• Drug Discovery Chemist, Novartis
• Senior Patent Counsel, Novartis International AG
• Clinical Trial Administrator, Novo Nordisk
• Senior Research Chemist, Peakdale Chemistry Services
• Doctor, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
• Senior Publishing Editor, RSC Publishing
• Research Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry Takeda Cambridge
• Head of Client Relationships ( Wealth Managers), Threesixty services llp
• Teaching Fellow in Organic Chemistry, University of Leeds
• Research Fellow, University of Manchester
• Lecturer in Chemical Education and Outreach, University of Sydney

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.