General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in 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.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Polymer Synthesis

This module aims to provide a detailed overview of the fundamental considerations and hypotheses of polymer chemistry ensuring that all students have a suitable background knowledge of the major synthetic methods and mechanisms as well as appropriate physical chemistry knowledge to excel in the more advanced aspects of the course. The material will focus on highlighting the importance of advanced polymer structures as well as comprehensive teaching of the applicable polymer synthesis techniques.

Physical Properties of Polymers and Nanocomposites

The ability to characterise polymers/composites and link this to their observable properties is crucial, and this module will cover many advanced aspects of this; in particular, diffraction and scattering techniques and how polymer physical properties affect their processibility. Students will be given the chance to obtain real data in the laboratories and link this to the lecture material.

Frontier Techniques in Analytical Science

This module introduces students from a range of different backgrounds to advanced analytical techniques, and aims to ensure students appreciate the links between need for measurement, instrumentation design, data quality and data analysis.

Chromatography and Separation Science

During this interdisciplinary module students will learn about the theory and practice of different types of chromatography and their application in real-world scenarios. They will develop the skills necessary to decide how to decide which methods are the most appropriate for a given separation problem - whether for analysis or purification of, for example, synthetic polymers, biomolecules, or biopharmaceuticals. The module includes workshops on data interpretation and lab sessions providing students with hands on experience with several different chromatographic methods.

Transferable Skills

This module is based around students completing and recording tasks contributing to the development of transferable skills. Students complete a portfolio and reflect on what they have learned. The various aspects of the course cover: working in teams and working with your supervisor, communicating across disciplines using various media e.g. written reports, posters, presentations, web and video, as well as elements of leadership and career development.

20-week research project

The module is designed to develop student research skills, through an extended project in an area of their chosen discipline. Students will become aware of the elements of research, including appraising the literature, designing novel experiments (practical and/or computational), assessing results and drawing conclusions that they will be able to set against the current field. This module will allow students to be original in their application of knowledge to the solution of new, research-led problems.

Core Optional Modules

You will study one of the following:

Techniques in Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

This module will introduce practical fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative analysis. We will consider practical aspects of sampling and calibration techniques. The laboratory sessions will include quantitative analyses using volumetry, gravimetry, UV-visible, IR, Raman as well as NMR spectroscopy and state-of-the art inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) techniques such as OES and MS.

Analytical and Polymer Laboratories

This module contains a combination of practical analytical and polymer chemistry experiments. The analytical components cover the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative analysis and the laboratory sessions will include chromatography, titration and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis, (Infra-red (IR) and Raman spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy. The polymer component will introduce students to a range of polymerization techniques, including controlled radical, free radical, ionic and heterogeneous polymerization. The course will serve to introduce students to safety aspects of laboratory work and the students will gain experience and expertise in the use of research quality analytical equipment.

And one of the following:

Group Research Project

The cohort will be split into groups that will work together to share knowledge and understanding of an area of contemporary polymer chemistry with the aim of writing a proposal to address a challenge within this area. The proposal will be written and also presented orally at a specially arranged session. The proposals will then be peer-reviewed by the other groups against strict criteria.

Team Research Project: Real World Analysis

Research questions in academia and industry generally require the development and integration of several analytical techniques. The aim of this module is to make students aware of these requirements. It is the culmination of the taught part of the course, and constitutes the ideal preparation for the research project and future careers in analytical laboratories. The practical work for this module involves team work to solve real analytical problems using multiple techniques and professional data analysis. Literature work will be required as the basis of method development.

Optional modules

Plus three elective modules from:

Mass Spectrometry

This module introduces students to the many facets of modern mass spectrometry. Emphasis is placed both on the interpretation of spectra and also on instrumental methods, covering modern methods of ionisation (including ESI and MALDI) and mass analysis (including orthogonal TOF and FT-ICR) and the use of linked methods such as GC/MS, HPLC/MS and tandem mass spectrometry. Practical sessions include practice at interpretation and experiments using various mass spectrometric techniques.

Magnetic Resonance

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in both solution and the solid-state as well as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) will be described. The course will cover the underlying theory of the experiments as well as practical aspects of recording spectra and their interpretation. The importance of magnetic resonance across science, in, e.g., organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals and proteins, will be demonstrated.

Microscopy and Imaging

This module provides a foundation in the principles and applications of microscopy, starting with basics of light microscopy and progressing to state-of-the-art confocal microscopy, electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy. The latter includes atomic force microscopy and electrochemical imaging techniques for which Warwick is particularly well-known. The module includes workshops on image analysis and seminars that cover the most recent developments in the field.

Polymers in the Real World

The module runs through term 1 and 2 with seminars delivered by internal researchers (PhD, PDRA, ECFs) and external professionals (e.g. industrial polymer scientists). Before each lecture you will write a 500 word 'mini-essay' on the topic to be covered in the seminar. This should include 3 questions to be asked and discussed with the speaker and 3 primary references (research articles) from the literature. Finally, you will prepare a poster on a research topic covered during the seminar series and present this at a module symposium. You will also be expected to attend the department of Chemistry external seminar series.

Colloid Science I and II

Colloid science is a fundamental and essential aspect of polymer chemistry. The area experiences great interest from the chemical industries across a great variety of application areas, such as laundry care and personal care products, drug delivery formulations, food and drinks, coatings and adhesives, agricultural formulations and many others.

X-ray and Neutron Techniques

X-ray and neutron diffraction and scattering techniques, as well as X-ray spectroscopies will be introduced in this module. Students will learn the underlying theory of the experiments as well as practical aspects of recording data and their interpretation. The importance of X-ray and Neutron methods across science, in e.g., material chemistry, pharmaceuticals and proteins will be demonstrated.

Teaching

Based on the full-time, one year duration, the first 25 weeks are lecture-based, providing you with a diverse range of skills in analytical and polymer science to complete a successful 20-week research project.

Class sizes

Class sizes consists of 5 to 40 students, dependent on modules: some of which are shared across programmes.

Typical contact hours

You should expect to attend around 10-25 hours of lectures and workshops per week and spend approximately six hours on supervised practical (mainly laboratory) work. For each one-hour lecture, you should expect to put in additional time for private study.

Assessment

Examined component (%): Taught modules are generally 50-75%.

Assessed by coursework component (%): Taught modules are generally 25-50%; research projects are assessed by a variety of assessment methods.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Your career

Our graduates have gone on to work for organisations in: academia and teaching; pharmaceutical industry; chemical and materials industry; science consultancy; banking and finance and other areas. For those who wish to deepen their understanding of the discipline, further research degree study such as a Master’s by Research or a PhD can also be studied within the department. Global Decarbonisation courses

course will open up a variety of potential career paths in the rapidly expanding market for climate professionals including employment within a wide range of government, non-government and academic organizations, as well as private companies.

Our department has a dedicated, professionally-qualified Senior Careers Consultant offering impartial advice and guidance together with workshops and events throughout the year. Previous examples of workshops and events include:

• Careers in Science
• Career Options with Chemistry
• Warwick careers fairs throughout the year
• MSc lunchtime careers presentations
• PhD Transferable Skills careers decision-making session
• Finding experience to boost your CV for Chemistry students
• SME Careers Events - e.g. British Coatings Federation Careers Evening
• Career Options with Chemistry Presentation and Networking Evening
• 1:1 careers sessions offered

Additionally, our Polymers in the Real World module brings in employers to deliver talks on their industries, and to discuss employment and training opportunities with students.

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.

• Analytical and Polymer Science (MSc)
• Analytical Sciences and Instrumentation (MSc)
• Chemistry with Scientific Writing (MSc)
• Global Decarbonisation and Climate Change (MSc/PGDip/PGCert)
• Global Decarbonisation and Climate Change (Policy) (MSc/PGDip/PGCert)
• Global Decarbonisation and Climate Change (Science) (MSc/PGDip/PGCert)
• Polymer Chemistry (MSc)
• Polymer Science (MSc)
• Scientific Research and Communication (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• MSc in Chemistry by Research
• PhD in Chemistry

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 taught 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 2022/23 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 bursaries

How to apply

Applications are now open for courses that start in September and October 2025.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course