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This five-year MChem Chemistry with Placement program is designed with career goals in mind, featuring specialized tracks in pharmaceutical chemistry, computational chemistry, biology, or materials and nanoscience. This structure allows you to select the degree path that aligns with your professional aspirations. Throughout your undergraduate studies, you'll engage with core chemistry concepts, covering areas like chemical reactivity, molecular structure, bonding principles, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, organic chemistry, NMR spectroscopy, and reaction mechanisms. You'll build a well-rounded foundation of chemical theory and hands-on expertise, applying this knowledge to tackle both theoretical and practical chemistry challenges. As you progress, you'll have the opportunity to select elective courses matching your interests before specializing in your chosen pathway during your fourth year.The MChem Chemistry with Placement program includes an optional industrial placement, enabling you to enhance your skills while gaining valuable industry experience. You'll participate in company training programs and gain broad exposure to the chemical industry sector.Your education will emphasize laboratory work, giving you practical experience and helping bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world applications. You'll refine your technical abilities, build confidence, and improve communication skills while acquiring advanced theoretical chemistry knowledge - all qualities that make graduates highly sought after. Heriot-Watt University chemistry alumni are recognized by employers for their distinctive blend of practical skills and theoretical understanding. This prepares you for diverse career paths in pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, healthcare, agriculture, food science, and environmental sectors, as well as opportunities in petrochemicals, electronics, aerospace, and telecommunications.Beyond chemistry-specific roles, your problem-solving capabilities, numerical proficiency, and transferable skills qualify you for management positions across various industries. The versatile skill set developed through a chemistry degree makes graduates valuable in multiple sectors, from environmental conservation to education and business.
Year 1 - Standard entry requirements: Highers AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at A, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B. A-Levels BBB- AAB. Must include Chemistry at B, and either Maths or Physics at B. International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Chemistry at Higher Level 5 and either Maths or Physics at Higher Level 5. BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths. HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths. HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths. Minimum entry requirements: Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at B, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B. A-Levels BCC. Must include Chemistry and either Maths or Physics, with one required subject at B. International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Chemistry and Maths, both at Higher Level 5. BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths. HNC B in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths. HND BB. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
Year 2 - Advanced Highers AB. Must include Advanced Higher Chemistry and Maths, and meet Year 1 Higher AAAB requirements. A-Levels AAB. Must include Chemistry and Maths with one at A. International Baccalaureate 34 points. Must include Chemistry and Maths at HL 6. BTEC Extended Diploma DDD. Must be in relevant science subject, including sufficient Chemistry and Maths. HNC A in graded unit with 120 SCQF credit points. (Only available for approved articulation routes.) HND BB. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths. If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5. TOEFL iBT: 79 (including reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20, and writing 21).