Study Medicinal Chemistry at Liverpool and learn in a culture of research excellence. Medicinal chemistry is a great choice for those with a keen interest in medicinal chemistry, digital chemistry, analytical chemistry and sustainability, alongside traditional areas of organic, inorganic, physical and theoretical chemistry. The MChem degree in Chemistry equips graduates for a range of career opportunities in academic or industrial research, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and other fields requiring strong scientific and numerate skills. The programme also provides a foundation for further study in specialized or interdisciplinary areas of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. The programme offers a mix of interactive teaching, and practical work in our award-winning undergraduate laboratories, ensuring students develop advanced research skills, professional competencies, and a broad understanding of chemistry’s real-world applications. The programme offers a mix of interactive lectures, workshops, and practical work, ensuring students develop advanced practical skills, professional competencies, and a broad understanding of chemistry’s real-world applications. During year 3 you will work with academics to delve into the research literature, an important aspect for all research chemists, or take an opportunity for wider research experiences through summer internships or local industry. You will also spend your final year on a paid external/industrial placement, acquiring experience and awareness of practical chemistry in an industrial environment to further develop your commercial and professional skills. Previous examples of potential placements include AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Liverpool ChiroChem. The assessment strategy combines formative workshops and interactive lectures with summative methods including traditional exams, group projects, professional skill development and laboratory-based activities. Since students enter the Department with a wide range of experience in mathematics, physics and biology, which are essential for studying chemistry to a high level, we provide supportive sessions allowing you to tailor your development. This degree is designed to help you graduate with deep knowledge of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, practical research experience, and the skills needed for success in advanced study or professional careers in pharmaceutical science and related fields.
A Level: ABB | ABB including Chemistry and a second science, or AAB including Chemistry at grade A if no second science. Accepted science subjects: Applied ICT Biology (and Human Biology) Computer Science Economics Electronics Environmental Science Further Mathematics Geography Geology ICT Life and Health Sciences Psychology Physics Statistics. For applicants studying A levels with English exam boards: Where a science has been taken at A level (Chemistry, Biology, Geology or Physics), a pass in the Science practical of each subject will be required. Some Level 3 qualifications are only acceptable alongside 2 or 3 A levels, please contact us for details. | T Level | Science T Level considered. Additional test required. Standard offer would be Distinction overall, grade A in the Core Component and Merit in the Occupational Specialism Component. | Scottish Higher: {'start': ['A', 'A', 'B', 'B', 'B', None], 'end': ['A', 'A', 'A', 'B', 'B', None]} | Higher grades AABBB + Advanced Higher grades AB in Chemistry and a second science or Higher grades AAABB + Advanced Higher grade A in Chemistry | Access to HE Diploma: 33 UCAS points | Access to HE Diploma: 12 UCAS points | Access to HE Diploma | Pass Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject with 45 Level 3 credits with 33 at Distinction (including 15 in Chemistry and 15 in a second science) and 12 at Merit. Applicants will be invited to take an assessment. | GCSE/National 4/National 5 GCSE Mathematics and English at grade 4/C required. Applicants with equivalent qualifications or who do not meet these GCSE requirements will be considered on an individual basis according to their circumstances. | Scottish Advanced Higher: {'start': ['A', 'B', 'B', None], 'end': ['A', 'A', 'B', None]} | ABB including Chemistry and a second science or AAB including Chemistry at grade A if no second science | Extended Project: A | Applicants who offer the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and 3 A levels and meet our offer criteria will be made the standard offer, plus an alternative offer. This will be at one A Level grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ, for example the offer would be ABB or BBB plus A in the EPQ, including Chemistry and a second science. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: 32 UCAS points | 32 points overall with no score less than 4 and including 5 in HL Chemistry and 5 in one other HL science subject (or 6 in HL Chemistry if no other science being taken), or pass the IB Diploma with 6,5,5 in 3 Higher Level subjects, including 5 in HL Chemistry and 5 in one other HL science subject (or 6 in HL Chemistry if no other science being taken). | WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales: B | B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus grades AB at A level including Chemistry and a second science (or grades AA at A Level including Chemistry, if no second science). Some Level 3 qualifications are only acceptable alongside 2 or 3 A levels, please contact us for details. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016): D*DD | D*DD in BTEC National Extended Diploma. Applicants will be invited to take an assessment. Applicants must be completing the BTEC National Extended Diploma in Applied Science pathway and be studying the following optional modules: Applications of Inorganic Chemistry, Applications of Organic Chemistry, Practical Chemical Analysis. Some Level 3 qualifications are only acceptable alongside 2 or 3 A levels, please contact us for details. | Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017): H1H2H2H2H3H3 | H1,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including H2 in Chemistry and a second science or H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H3 including H1 in Chemistry if no second science
If this is your first degree and you are a Home student applying for entry in 2026, you do not have to pay your fees upfront. Instead, you can take out a tuition fee loan which is paid straight to the University. This is available to most students, no matter what their household income. Please note, for Home undergraduate students, 2026/27 fees have yet to be confirmed. Tuition fees are subject to increase each year, subject to the government’s regulated fee limits. For information, for UK students applying for 2025 entry the Tuition Fee was £9,535. You will find full information about tuition fees in the “Fees and funding” section of all course pages on our website. Or see the “Paying for your studies” section of our website for more information. Some of our programmes charge less than the full £9,535 fee: • Psychology BSc (Hons) (2+2 programme with Foundation element), run in collaboration with Wirral Metropolitan College. • Programmes with a year in industry or a year abroad Some programmes which include compulsory fieldwork or additional elements such as the Pilots Licence in Aerospace Engineering may incur additional costs. Where this is the case, those costs will be outlined at on-campus events such as the University Open Days or Applicant Discovery Days. For further information please see: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/ — Tuition fees for Home undergraduates 2026/27
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