Queen's University Belfast

Medicinal Chemistry MChem

Queen's University BelfastBelfast, United Kingdom

Course overview

Medicinal chemists have been responsible for many of our modern medicines. Their central contribution to developing new therapeutic agents against microbial infections, cancer and heart disease has helped to significantly increase worldwide life-expectancy. They are experts - with extensive knowledge of molecular design, drug synthesis and the biological function of drugs.

On our Medicinal Chemistry courses you will get a strong grounding in chemistry with a specialised focus on designing and making drug-like molecules through combining organic chemistry, drug design and synthetic chemistry, which will prepare you for work in pharmaceutical research or industry. You will also gain laboratory skills, drug-development insight, plus problem solving and analytic abilities that open paths to careers in drug discovery, quality control, regulatory affairs or further postgraduate study in chemistry and pharmaceutical science. Four-year MChem degrees and five-year MChem (with a Year in Industry) degrees are available for high-calibre students with the ability and aspiration to practice Medicinal Chemistry at the highest levels.

Key highlights

  • Strong chemistry grounding with specialised focus on designing drug-like molecules
  • Combines organic chemistry, drug design and synthetic chemistry
  • Develops laboratory skills and insight into drug development
  • Builds problem-solving and analytical abilities for pharmaceutical research
  • Five-year option available with a Year in Industry

Entry requirements

  • A-level: AAA — AAA

Scholarships

  • County Antrim Grand Jury Bursary

    Approximately £1500 depending on funding available.

  • Early Confirmation Award

    Funding Amount - £1500

    Up to £1,500
  • International Undergraduate Scholarships

    This award is £3500 (fee rate 1) for first year of study; £4000 (fee rate 2) for first year of study.

  • INTO Progressors Scholarship

    £1500 reduction in tuition fees for first year of study.

    Up to £1,500
  • LLB Senior Status International Scholarship

    Scholarships Value - £4000

    Up to £4,000
  • Queen's Loyalty Scholarship

    20% reduction on first year gross tuition fees.

    Up to 20% of fees
  • Queen’s Family Scholarship

    20% reduction on first year gross tuition fees.

    Up to 20% of fees
  • Royal Academy of Engineering: Engineering Leaders Scholarship Programme

    Funding Amount: £5000 - £10,000

    Up to £5,000
  • Vice Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship - Undergraduate

    50% reduction on full tuition fees paid for all years of a programme, up to a maximum of four years (including advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3).

    Up to 50% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Drug Discovery Scientist
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Regulatory Affairs Officer
  • Pharmaceutical Research Scientist
  • Synthetic Chemist

Cost of study

UK/Home: £4,985 (NI/ROI), £9,790 (GB) | International: £28,500

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Queen's University Belfast, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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