PhD in Chemistry (2025 Entry)

Course code

P-F1P0

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

3-4 years full-time; up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

PhD

Led by

Chemistry

Location

University of Warwick

Course code

P-F1P0

Start date

6 October 2025

Duration

3-4 years full-time; up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

PhD

Led by

Chemistry

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

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Find out more about our Chemistry PhD.

A PhD in Chemistry enables you to carry out a unique research project and write outstanding scientific papers and a thesis. You will join a community of leading Chemistry research groups and utilise Warwick’s specialist facilities to produce an original contribution to science.

Course overview

A PhD in Chemistry will give you an opportunity to devote up to four years conducting full-time research, addressing real-world problems in an area of your choice. Find a supervisor in the tab below and let us know what areas you would like to research. You write up a thesis at the end of your studies. In some cases, the project may be carried out in collaboration with an external sponsor, for example industry. Warwick offers comprehensive training in transferable skills, access to taught modules, and a supportive research environment.

To contact the department directly with any questions please email chem-postgraduate@warwick.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a related subject.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

Band A
IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses, and two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Research themes

Our research

Established ground-breakers and highly talented early-career researchers unite to deliver internationally excellent and world-class research across the chemical sciences with 100% of our research judged world-leading or internationally excellent by REF 2021.

Through close collaboration with the wider STEM community, our fundamental chemistry challenges the frontiers of knowledge for tomorrow whilst impactful research tackles the issues of today. Ambitious entrepreneurism and effective routes to real-world applications ensure benefits to academia, industry, and society.

With ongoing investment into state-of-the art research and education facilities and infrastructure, we sit firmly at the forefront of science globally, both now and in the future as we grow to meet the rising demands for flexible, world-class innovation.

Our current research groupings include:

Chemical, Structural and Synthetic Biology
Computational and Theoretical
Energy Materials
Measurement and Analytical
Polymers
Synthesis and Catalysis

You can find out more information about each grouping on our website.

You can also read our general University research proposal guidanceLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window to help guide you in articulating your research question.

Supervisors and proposals

Find a supervisor

You can use the link below and discuss with prospective supervisorsthem the area you would like to research.

Explore our Chemistry Staff Directory where you will be able to filter by:

Research Grouping

Research Specialism

Global Challenge

A list of current funded opportunities is also available on our website.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

Research proposals

If you are applying for a research degree, please let us know on the form what area of research you are interested in and/or which research groups you would like to join. It is not necessary to submit a research proposal at this stage. You can work on that together with your chosen supervisor.

Please make sure you state your research area and any academics you would like to work with in the first paragraph of the additional information/reason for study section. We shall distribute your application, once received, to the members of staff you have listed. If you do not name any academics then we will not be able to process your application any further.

Please feel free to contact any of the academic staff listed on our directory pagesLink opens in a new window to discuss potential project areas.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2024/25 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Department

Chemistry at Warwick

Do you share our enthusiasm for chemistry and its applications, from medicine to renewable energy?

We are one of the UK’s top chemistry providers, highly-ranked for both teaching and research. Our courses will offer you an excellent all-round experience that allows you to explore and follow your curiosity.

The skills you will develop will equip you to pursue a future career in a number of industries with a number of employers.

Find out more about our research students’ careers and destinations on our website.

Find out more about us on our websiteLink opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

We offer non-accredited and Royal Society of Chemistry accredited course routes, depending on your career aspirations.

Our Postgraduate Research courses

Apply now

How to apply checklist

Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application

Read the checklist

I'm ready to apply

Learn more about the Applicant Portal.

Apply now

Application deadlines

The application process for course that start in September and October 2026 opens on 2 October 2025.

For research courses that start in September and October 2026 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2026. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

Useful links

Applicant portal
After your applied
Admissions statement
Join a Live Chat

2024 entry

Department content block about careers

Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

See 2025 entry »

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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PhD in Chemistry (2025 Entry)

Find out more about our Chemistry PhD.

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

How to apply checklist

I'm ready to apply

Explore ways to connect with us

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

About the information on this page

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