Chemistry with Industrial Placement MChem (UCAS F110)
General entry requirements
A levels
A level typical offer
AAA to include Chemistry and one of the following: Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Geology, Statistics or Computer Science.
A level additional information
You must also achieve a pass in the science practical assessment (if applicable).
A level contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is ABB including BB in Chemistry and either Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Geology, Statistics or Computer Science. See if you’re eligible.
General GCSE requirements
Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
IB
IB typical offer
38 to include 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 5 in a second science subject at Higher Level (either Biology, Physics, Mathematics ‘Analysis and Approaches’, Mathematics ‘Applications and Interpretation’, or Computer Science).
IB contextual offer
We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34 including grade 6 in Higher Level Chemistry and 5 in Higher Level Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Computer Science. See if you’re eligible.
General GCSE requirements
Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept.
We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.
BTEC
We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside A level Chemistry.
International qualifications
Language requirements
All applicants have to meet our English Language requirements. If you cannot demonstrate that you meet these, you may be invited to take part in our Pre-sessional English course at Warwick.
Frequently asked questions
Warwick may make differential offers to students in a number of circumstances. These include students participating in a Widening Participation programme or who meet the contextual data criteria.
Differential offers will usually be one or two grades below Warwick’s standard offer.
All students who successfully complete the Warwick IFP and apply to Warwick through UCAS will receive a guaranteed conditional offer for a related undergraduate programme (selected courses only).
Find out more about standard offers and conditions for the IFP.
We welcome applications for deferred entry.
We do not typically interview applicants. Offers are made based on your UCAS form which includes predicted and actual grades, your personal statement and school reference.
Course overview
If you are thinking about going into research or industry, this course will give you the opportunity to explore both options and find out what is right for you. You will study at Warwick for your first two years, then apply your understanding through an industrial placement in your third year (acceptance of the placement is subject to academic performance).
Supported by our Student Opportunity (Careers) team, you will be fully involved in and responsible for finding a placement This ensures you are selecting a field that interests you, suits your strengths, and enhances your career prospects. Your industrial supervisor will run your placement, which they will design to be of maximum benefit to both you and the company. They will also ensure it encompasses a wide variety of experiences.
You will return to Warwick for your fourth year, completing a research project and studying optional modules that allow you to explore areas of particular interest.
Study abroad
The course contains a required period of work experience in your third year which may include study in a research context or industrial setting overseas.
Core modules
We offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to transfer between Chemistry degree course at any time in the first two years as you develop your interests and future plans. (Please note that all course transfers are subject to academic performance and, for overseas students, are also subject to UK visa regulations.)
You will study a range of core modules in Years One and Two which provide a solid foundation in inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.
In Year Three you will spend a year on a placement in the industry (acceptance onto the placement is subject to academic performance). There will also be core modules across all aspects of Chemistry which you will study by distance learning whilst on placement. The extended laboratory work of our standard MChem is replaced by the practical experience you gain in the industry and your placement project.
In Year Four you will complete an individual investigative project on a topic that reflects your passion (worth 50% of the year's mark) in collaboration with one of our academics, and you can select optional modules to support your research or broaden your knowledge.
RSC accreditation is subject to the appropriate choice of options in Years Two to Four.
Important information
We are planning to make some changes to our Chemistry with Industrial Placement (MChem) degree for 2022 entry. Changes to core and optional modules go through the University's rigorous academic processes. As changes are confirmed, we will update the course information on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer. Sign up to receive updates on our new modules.
Year One
Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
You will begin your studies by gaining a solid understanding of chemical bonding and interatomic interactions, and how they determine the structure and reactivity of inorganic compounds. You will later apply your understanding to the chemistry of transition metal complexes, Bronsted and Lewis acidity, and the redox properties of main group compounds. You will examine fundamental aspects of crystal field theory and develop your practical skills in using the models studied in light of their industrial applications and use in materials science.
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
You will start this foundation module by acquiring a sure grasp of the structures, properties and reactions of organic molecules. You will expand your knowledge of different types of compounds, discover methods for creating molecules, and be able to describe bonding in organic compounds to predict the reactivity of molecules. You will apply your understanding to the synthesis and chemistry of key functional groups and to the structure, properties and reactivities of biologically important molecules and organic macromolecules.
Introduction to Physical Chemistry
You will develop your understanding of core concepts in physical chemistry: quantum mechanics, kinetics, thermodynamics and spectroscopy. You will learn how the laws of quantum mechanics can be used to predict the properties of atoms and molecules, how the kinetic rate laws of multistep chemical processes emerge from elementary reaction steps, how thermodynamics can be used to predict the properties of gases, and how light interacts with matter.
Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills I
You can study the theory of chemistry, but the laboratory is where science comes alive. You will put your chemistry knowledge to work with experiments that familiarise you with scientific instrumentation and data collection, and conduct analyses using databases and software. Later, you will use these techniques to create compounds, investigate concepts and prove theories. You will also have opportunities to combine established techniques, equipping you with the understanding and practical competence needed to develop your own research methods and problem-solving techniques.
Year Two
Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills II
In this module, you will experience more hands-on investigation, synthesis and analysis as the skills you have developed allow you to conduct more complicated multistep syntheses, learn advanced techniques and take more control and ownership of your work. By the end, you will be able to plan experiments, set up and monitor instrumentation and record your results, and characterise and assess reactions using spectroscopy alongside other sophisticated techniques. You will also learn to process and present your results in statistical, graphical and written form.
Selective Organic Synthesis
Having already developed a foundation understanding of organic chemistry you will now broaden your knowledge of the range of synthetic routes available to design molecules. You will examine a variety of methods for forming different bond types and functional groups and consider the factors influencing the choice of reagents and reaction conditions. You will use your knowledge to form your own strategies to design organic synthesis routes to target molecules.
Mechanistic and Biological Chemistry
In this module you will look at the features of organic molecules that affect the reactions that they can undergo. You will develop the ability to use structures and information about rates to predict reactions and identify the mechanisms of organic reactions. You will use your knowledge of the structures and reactivity of small molecules and apply these to the Chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins and enzymes. During the module you will also gain an understanding of the drug discovery process.
Transition Metal Chemistry
You will develop a formal understanding of bonding in transition metal complexes, as a platform for understanding the reactivity and spectroscopy of such complexes, and acquire a systematic knowledge of organometallic chemistry through exploring some of the conceptual links between organic and inorganic. You will be able to analyse the successes and limitations of different methods and demonstrate your understanding of the eighteen electron rule and its exceptions.
Materials and Polymers
Materials and Polymers are used in all applications from functional to structural applications. They turn molecules into useful devices and items, or are extended arrays of connected atoms that have unique properties as solids. This module will give you an understanding of how materials can be made and how they can be characterised. This will let you appreciate how materials can be designed for use in energy, healthcare, electronics, personal care and other applications.
Electrons in Molecules and Solids
You will develop in-depth knowledge of symmetry and group theory and its role in molecular structure and bonding, and interpretation of electronic and vibrational spectra. You will develop an understanding of how photo-excited molecules undergo relaxation through radiative and non-radiative decay processes. You will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of solid state chemistry that relates to crystal structure, chemical bonding in solids and the electronic properties of solids. This will enable you to determine how quantum and statistical mechanics applied to solid materials can be used to derive various condensed matter properties, including electrical conduction and opto-electronic characteristics.
Statistical Mechanics and Electrochemistry
In this module you will study and then bring together concepts from electrochemistry and statistical mechanics. You will be able to make connections between these two fields, thus unravelling why things in chemistry are the way they are - with important reverberations across biochemistry (e.g. nerve signalling, vision) and materials science (e.g. design of novel materials, such as nanowires and nanoparticles). You will be able to apply the theoretical foundations of the physical chemistry to systems of practical relevance such as ionic species in aqueous solutions (think table salt dissolved in water!).
Year Three
Industrial Placement Project
This module will support your academic progress when you undertake a 12-month placement in industry or research. You will gain valuable experience of chemistry in an industrial setting, carrying out independent work and developing your transferable skills. You will improve your academic skills by writing a report on a topic related to the work you carry out in industry.
Advanced Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic and Physical)
Here, you will study the core modules in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, supported by our virtual learning environment. Representative topics in Organic Chemistry include pericyclic reactions, cyclisation processes, reactive intermediates, and stereogenic centres. In Inorganic Chemistry, you will study organometallic chemistry, catalysis and kinetics, and in Physical Chemistry you will study interfacial chemistry and molecular modelling.
Year Four
Research Project and Methodology
You will carry out an extended research project under the supervision of an academic in an area reflecting your interests. You will become competent in original research practice, including evaluating literature, designing practical or computational experiments, analysing and assessing your results and drawing conclusions to set against the current field. You will learn to present your findings in discussion and debate, and to complete report-writing to a high standard.
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Examples of Year Four optional modules may include:
- Synthetic Chemistry I (Organic)
- Synthetic Chemistry II (Metallo-organic)
- Synthetic Chemistry III (Macromolecular Chemistry)
- Electrochemistry and Nanotechnology
- Advanced Medicinal and Biological Chemistry
- Advanced Chemical Biology
- Advanced Computational Chemistry
- Advanced Biophysical Chemistry
- Innovation 101
Assessment
You will be assessed via a combination of examinations and coursework such as laboratory reports, presentations, posters and essays to monitor your progress and provide you with regular feedback.
A minimum of 25% of each year's grade is generated from coursework. However, the majority of your grades for your third year will come from assessed work components that demonstrate the competencies that you develop during your placement, such as report writing and presentation skills.
Your research project in Year Four will contribute 50% towards your final year grade and will be appraised by a combination of assessments which may include a dissertation, presentation and viva.
The final degree classification is determined by:
- Year One (5%)
- Year Two (20%)
- Year Three (30%)
- Year Four (45%)
Teaching
You will be taught using a combination of:
- Weekly lectures
- Workshops
- Tutorials
Lectures give an introduction and expand your knowledge on a topic to help prepare you for discussion, workshops, and a deeper analysis of each area of study.
Workshops typically run in groups of 20-40 students and allow you to work with your peers to problem-solve with on-hand assistance from academic and teaching staff. Practical classes in our modern teaching labs are an integral part of any Chemistry student's life-giving you the opportunity to put theory into practice.
You will have a personal tutor who you can speak to about any questions you may have, and in Years One and Two, regular tutorial small group work where you will build your community of peer support. There are also regular revision sessions and opportunities to speak to module directors and seminar tutors.
During your placement you will study the core Year Three content (worth 25% of the year) by distance-learning, to enable you to access Year Four optional modules. The distance learning is well supported, and you will have access to our virtual learning environment and lecture capture as well as regular contact with the Chemistry department.
Class sizes
- Year One and Two tutorial and lab groups: generally between 5 to 7 students
- Workshops: generally between 20 to 40 students
- Lectures: sizes vary
Typical contact hours
There are between 12 to 20 hours of classroom contact available per week, of which 5 to 10 hours will be supervised practical work (mainly laboratory and computing). Your study is also supplemented with:
- Group work
- One-to-one advice
- Question and answer sessions
- The use of web-based materials.
For each hour of lecture materials, you should expect to put in a further one to two hours of private study, as well as preparation for the diverse set of assessments you will receive.
Tuition fees
Scholarships and bursaries
Placements and work experience
Students in Chemistry are also supported through our Department of Student Opportunity to gain experience during vacation periods in other industry sectors including teaching, finance, data science, law, consultancy, marketing and IT/technology.
Undergraduate research
We also have an Undergraduate Research Support Scheme which allows undergraduate students to work on an academic research project in Chemistry or another department during the summer vacation.
Industrial Placement
The industrial placement replaces Year Three of study and aims to provide students in developing a range of interactive skills, as well as gaining professional experience in an industrial environment. The actual day-to-day running of the placement will be defined by the industrial supervisor but will be designed to be of maximum benefit to both you and the company, ensuring that your professional development will encompass as wide a variety of experience as possible in the context of the placement.
Where our Chemistry degree can take you
Our graduates are active in fields as diverse as:
- Chemical Science
- Drug Discovery and Development
- Laboratory Technical Services and Leadership
- Public Health
- Business and Financial Analysis
- Investment Management
- Management Consultancy
- Real Estate Surveying
- Academic Research and Teaching
- Medicine and paramedic
- Secondary School Teaching
Our graduates have gone on to work for employers such as:
- Amazon
- Deloitte
- GSK
- HMRC
- HSBC
- KPMG
- NHS Trust
- Ovo Energy
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- Unilever
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Helping you find the right career
We have a dedicated careers consultant who can support you with your career choices and skills to prepare you for recruitment processes. We offer one-to-one appointments and workshops to help you find a career path, find internship or work placements and hone your applications and interview technique. You can also attend tailored careers and networking events to connect with recruiters in your field.
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 seek a future career in a number of industries and employers.
Find out more about us on our website
Our courses
We offer non-accredited and Royal Society of Chemistry accredited course routes, depending on your career aspirations.
- Chemistry (BSc)
- Chemistry (MChem)
- Chemistry with Industrial Placement (MChem)
- Chemistry with International Placement (MChem)
- Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (BSc)
- Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (MChem)
Related degrees
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