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Chemistry - Industrial Experience

MChem


Full-time with Sandwich Year

2020

Typical offer for 2020

Duration

UCAS code

students can apply

Book a place on our Open Day

Overview

As a University of Bradford chemistry student, you will have choice and flexibility in your degree. During the first two years, you will develop a sound understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry with core content delivered across the traditional areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. 

To give you an intellectually fulfilling university experience our chemistry courses allow you to take 20 credits of elective modules in stages 1 and 2, with subjects offered from across the University’s teaching portfolio such as mathematics, engineering, economics and so on.

The third year will introduce you to specialist content in medicinal, materials and analytical chemistry. You will also have the opportunity to study a specific subject by choosing to a greater depth during an extended dissertation.

It is possible to exit after stage 3 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry.

In the Master's year you will develop a deeper understanding of the application of chemistry to solving real-world problems. Master's-level training focuses on deploying training in real-world settings. Academic research experience involves students working on their own project as part of a research team alongside postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers at the University.

Your chemistry education with us needn’t be confined to Bradford. We have links with companies and universities all over the world, and several of our students take the opportunity to complete stage 4 of their degree with one of our partners. Recent placements have included formulating new perfumes, working in an Alzheimer’s research group at Harvard Medical School, and searching for new antimicrobial compounds from fungi in the Canadian wilderness.

Professional accreditation

Students can apply for membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

My decision to study at the University of Bradford was finalised on a visit to the university on an open day where I was greeted by friendly and enthusiastic staff and students. The most valuable year was my placement year which allowed me to apply my chemical knowledge to real situations, whilst also giving me an invaluable insight into the working world. Elizabeth Guest, MChem Chemistry with Industrial Experience 2016

Entry requirements

Typical offer - 112 UCAS tariff points.

We take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application. It's not just about your grades; we take the time to understand your personal circumstances and make decisions based on your potential to thrive at university and beyond.

A levels

To include A-level Chemistry minimum grade B.

Please note that where a science A-level is taken, the University will require applicants to pass the practical element (for A levels awarded from August 2017 onwards).

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM. Science subject required - must include a minimum of three Chemistry-related units.

Applicants on Access Programmes

112 UCAS tariff points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma - Science subject required. Must include a minimum of 12 credits of Chemistry at minimum Distinction.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points to include HL Chemistry at grade 6 and 2 other HL subjects at grade 5. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

GCSE English, Mathematics and a Science at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

English language requirements

Minimum IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details »

CIFS entry requirement

If you are an International student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course you may be interested in our Certificate of International Foundation Studies (CIFS)

80 UCAS points or equivalent (see individual country pages for details) plus Maths and a Science qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade C.

UKVI approved IELTS of 5.0 overall with no sub-test less than 5.0.

CIFS modules to be taken

Students study the four core modules plus:

  • Foundation in Chemistry

And ONE additional module from the following:

  • Foundation in Human Biology
  • Introduction to the Social Sciences
  • Global Business Environment
  • Foundation Mathematics 2

Progression requirements for degree programme

An overall average of at least 50% and at least 55% in Foundation in Chemistry.

What you will study

Our degrees have been structured to give students choice and flexibility. During the first two years, students will develop a sound understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry, with core content delivered across the traditional areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. However, we believe that an intellectually fulfilling university experience should allow students to sample subjects from outside the Chemistry subject area. Hence all our chemistry programmes allow students to take 20 credits of elective modules in stages 1 and 2, with subjects offered from across the university’s teaching portfolio.


The third year will introduce students to specialist content in medicinal, materials and analytical chemistry. Students will also have the opportunity to study a specific subject by choosing to a greater depth during an extended dissertation.
It is possible to exit after stage 3 with a BSc (Honours) in Chemistry.
 In the Masters year, students will then have the choice of taking advanced material from our three MChem themes: analytical, medicinal and materials chemistry. This advanced study will allow students to develop a deeper understanding of the application of chemistry to solving real-world problems.

Masters-level training focuses on deploying training in real-world settings and students can choose to develop professional practice experience in an academic research setting or as a placement within a commercial organisation. Academic research experience involves working on students own project as part of a research team alongside post-graduate and post- doctoral researchers at the University. Work-based experience will involve working as an employee in industry, usually as part of a wider team. This will allow students to enhance their CV and gain real experience of chemistry applications. The University will help students apply for placement opportunities and will closely monitor the time with the employer.

All module information is for 2019 entry, and is subject to change.

Placement

Work-based experience will involve working as an employee in industry, usually as part of a wider team.

This will allow you to enhance your CV and gain real experience of chemistry applications.

We will help you to apply for placement opportunities and will closely monitor your time with the employer.

Learning and assessment

You will have a mix of lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, workshops, case studies and directed study.

Directed study will include directed reading of selected textbooks, specified source literature and open learning materials, directed Web-based materials, report writing and other assignments. There will also be an individual project/dissertation.

You will be assessed via written closed-book examinations using constructed (essays, short answers) and selected response (MCQ) questions and a variety of coursework assignments, including laboratory reports, oral presentations and dissertations.

Involvement in laboratory, small-group workshops, case-based work and projects (individual and small group) will also be part of your assessment.

You will be assessed by critical appraisal, case analysis and critique, case presentations, laboratory reports and dissertations.

Official programme specification

Facilities

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Our multi-million pound Centre for Chemical and Structural Analysis houses excellent analytical instrumentation which you will use to gain genuine practical experience of research apparatus.

You will use NMR, IR, Raman, Mass Spectrometry, HPLC and GC, and X-ray diffraction instruments throughout your course.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2020

Home: £9,250 (sandwich year: £925)

International: £19,160 (sandwich year: £1,916)

Additional costs

As part of this course you will be required to purchase a University Lab Package worth £25. The package includes a lab coat, lab book etc.

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

Biological chemists examine a wide range of biological processes, biomolecules and biological agents. As a biological chemist, you could end up investigating the effects of a neurotoxin on cell structure or molecular structure. Or, solving the structure of a large protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

You could be researching the molecular basis of disease and then synthesizing a drug to treat that disease. And, there is even room for those who like computers, where you could be using supercomputers to analyse biological systems at the molecular and atomic-level to inform drug design. There really is a wide-range of opportunity.

Medicinal chemists examine new ways to create drugs we’ve not yet seen. This can cover a whole host of molecule types: small organic drug molecules, peptide-based drugs, peptidomimetics, and even bioinorganic drugs.

As a medicinal chemist you will be working with biologists and synthesizing new drug molecules to treat disease. You will need to have a good understanding of biology to design drugs that can interact with key biomolecules in our bodies. Some medicinal chemists learn to harness biological systems, such as enzymes, to extract natural products and create semi-synthetic drugs.

Chemists are attractive to employers both for the skills that they offer directly related to their specialism, and for the professional skills that they have developed through study of the discipline. The range of careers available to chemists is vast – take a look at the Royal Society of Chemistry careers guide to get some ideas.

Find out more about our recent graduates >>

Employment statistics

92% of our 2017 graduates in Chemistry and Forensic Sciences found employment or went on to further study within six months of graduating.

Salary expectations

The average starting salary for our 2017 Chemistry and Forensic Sciences graduates was £20,242.*

*These DLHE statistics are derived from annually published data by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), based on those UK domiciled graduates who are available for employment or further study and whose destinations are known.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally. 

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment. 

Our support services include: 

  • Personal tutors 
  • Disability services 
  • Counselling services 
  • MyBradford student support centres 
  • The Students’ Union 
  • Chaplaincy and faith advisers 
  • An on-campus nursery 
  • Halls wardens 

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus. 

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills. 

Research

Research in Chemistry is broadly themed into Molecular Science and Materials Chemistry, comprising the development of synthetic, analytical and computational methods.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.