Chemistry with Work Placement MSci
Chemistry is the science of molecules and materials. It is a science with a well-developed theory base which is central to modern life and which continues to make advances in, for example, new materials, antibiotics, semiconductors and trace analysis.
Chemistry at the University of Glasgow continues to meet and exceed student expectations, combining both teaching excellence and a supportive learning environment.
- September start
- Session dates
- Chemistry with work placement MSci: F101 5 year degree
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus and Work placement
Programme structure
Year 1
The topics covered include the periodic table and main group chemistry, transition metal chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical kinetics, states of matter, chemical energy changes, aqueous equilibria and pH, and macromolecules. You will also study other subjects in year 1.
Year 2
The topics covered include molecular thermodynamics, organic stereochemistry, qua mechanics and chemical bonding, organometallic chemistry, main group chemistry, enols and enolates, spectroscopy, solids and surfaces, aromatic chemistry, coordination chemistry, organic synthesis, electrochemistry and applied organic chemistry. You will also study other subjects in year 2.
Years 3, 4 and 5
If you progress to MSci you will study advanced topics in chemistry including aspects of synthetic methods, medicinal chemistry, colloids, catalysis, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy and main group and transition metal chemistry. Year 4 will be your placement year where you can spend the year in industry or another academic institute. In your final year you will undertake a research project at the frontiers of the subject.
Course details
Year 1
Core course
Students then choose an additional 80 credits from a range of science and non-science courses.
The topics covered include the periodic table and main group chemistry, transition metal chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical kinetics, states of matter, chemical energy changes, aqueous equilibria and pH, and macromolecules.
Year 2
Core courses
The topics covered include molecular thermodynamics, organic stereochemistry, quantum mechanics and chemical bonding, organometallic chemistry, main group chemistry, enols and enolates, spectroscopy, solids and surfaces, aromatic chemistry, coordination chemistry, organic synthesis, electrochemistry and applied organic chemistry.
You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2. See Flexible degrees.
Year 3
Core courses
If you progress to MSci (years 3, 4 and 5), you will choose courses from a list of topics which includes anticancer compounds, antibiotics, analgesics and antivirals.
Year 4
Core course
You will work in another institute or industry in year 4, your work placement year.
Year 5
Core courses
- Chemistry Special Topics 4M (A)
- Chemistry Problems 4M (A)
- Inorganic Chemistry 4M (A)
- Organic Chemistry 4M
- Physical Chemistry 4M (A)
- Chemistry Project 4M (A)
In your final year you will undertake a research project at the frontiers of the subject.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Our international links
The MSci degree offers the opportunity to spend a year abroad before returning for your final year.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2025
Summary of entry requirements for Chemistry with Work Placement
SQA Higher entry requirements
- BBBB is the minimum requirement from S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer
- Offers are not guaranteed to applicants who meet the minimum from S5
- Typically offers will be made at ABBB by end of S6. B at Advanced Higher is equivalent to A at Higher
- Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and Chemistry at AB/BA.
SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements* (by end of S5 or S6)
- MD20: BBBB (also other target groups*)
- MD40: AABB*
- Additional requirements: Higher Mathematics and Chemistry. Successful completion of Top-Up or one of our Summer Schools.
* See Access Glasgow for eligibility.
A-level standard entry requirements
- ABB – BBB
- Additional requirements: A-level Mathematics and Chemistry.
IB standard entry requirements
- 32 (5,5,5)
- Additional requirements: HL Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches) and Chemistry.
Admissions guidance
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
School Qualifications
- IGCSE English First Language, grade C
- IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
- A Level English, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
International School Qualifications
- Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
- Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
- European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
- Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
- France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
- Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
- Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
- Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
- Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
- Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
- Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
- Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
- South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
- Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
- Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C
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Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
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Pre-sessional courses
We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
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FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
Our graduates are employed as chemists working in research, process development and analysis, as well as in management, marketing, environmental control, patents and finance. Recent graduates have been employed by EDF Energy, Quotient Clinical, Reckitt Benckiser.
Accreditation
This degree programme is professionally accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Degrees and UCAS codes
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
MSci
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 15 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 29 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
How to apply for Advanced Entry
Apply for year 2 (Y2) on your UCAS application. If the specific subject is unavailable for Advanced Entry or your application for year 2 entry is unsuccessful, you will be automatically considered for year 1 entry. You do not have to submit a separate UCAS application.
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Chemistry]
Related programmes
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