Medicinal Chemistry BSc

Without medicinal chemists, life as we know it would be impossible. Modern medicines give us pain relief, cure bacterial infections and fight viruses and cancer. Without the arsenal of drugs at their disposal doctors would be unable to cure many common diseases.

It is the ability of medicinal chemists to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of millions of people worldwide that motivates many of our students on this course. The course structure shares much with our Chemistry course but you will focus your study more on the organic elements of chemistry with an enhanced level of teaching on drug synthesis, pharmacology and how drugs work in biological systems.

Enhancing your degree

This course can also be studied over 4 years to achieve an MChem, BSc Integrated Masters degree, which is recommended for students considering a career in chemistry research and development. If you're not yet sure whether to take an additional year, don't worry - it's possible to transfer from the BSc degree to the MChem, BSc degree after your first or second year. You don't have to make a final decision until the end of your second year.

This course also offers opportunities to gain industrial experience on a placement year or to study abroad for a year.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Bachelor accreditation provides access to qualified membership of the RSC and forms a basis for satisfying the academic requirements for the RSC’s award of Chartered Chemist (CChem), through further study or continuing professional development.

During your first year you’ll be given a solid foundation in the fundamental principles that underpin chemistry. In your second year, you’ll explore the essential concepts of drug design and study structure-activity relationships. In your third year, you’ll discover how drugs are metabolized and analyse strategies used in the development of drugs in key therapeutic areas such as the treatment of cancer and bacterial infection.

The course allows you to study advanced topics such as cancer chemotherapy and is run in close collaboration with scientists from the pharmaceutical industry.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Medicinal Chemistry BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

As a chemistry student at Leeds we ensure that you benefit from a wide range of teaching methods, including lectures, workshops, small group tutorials and practical lab work.

These different methods of teaching, together with the continuous support of our teaching staff, enable you to effectively apply what you have learnt through a series of exams, coursework, and continuous assessment. This means that you graduate with the correct mix of knowledge and transferable skills for a successful future career, whatever you choose to do.

Assessment

The types of assessment used for each module aim to measure the learning outcomes we want you to achieve. Although formal end-of-semester examinations are predominant, often accounting for 80% or more of the formal assessment, many modules include a significant coursework element. You are also continuously assessed through practical work.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including Chemistry.

Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.

Excludes A-Level General Studies or Critical Thinking.

Extended Project Qualification - We recognise the value, effort and enthusiasm applicants make in the Extended Project, and where an applicant offers an A in the EPQ we may make an offer of ABB at A-Level.

GCSE: English Language grade C (4), or an equivalent English language qualification, and Mathematics grade B (6).

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above. Must contain a significant number of Chemistry and Mathematics modules.

• BTEC

  DDD with a significant number of Chemical and Scientific Modules

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3 D3 M2 in 3 principal subjects including Chemistry

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall with 16 at Higher Level including 6 in Higher Level Chemistry

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  H1 H1 H1 H1 H2 H2 including higher level Chemistry

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  Suitable combinations of Scottish Higher and Advanced Highers are acceptable, though Chemistry must be presented at Advanced Higher level. Typically AAABB including Chemistry at Advanced Higher.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any one component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Applicant days

Suitable UK based applicants will be invited to an applicant day, which is not mandatory, but for which we strongly encourage attendance, as this gives you the opportunity to meet our staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course. During the day you’ll have a group tutorial/ informal interview with an academic member of staff, to check that it’s the right course for you and your career plans, have your questions answered and find out more about studying at Leeds.

After you apply we will send you a link to book your place on the applicant day, but please let us know as soon as possible if you cannot attend.

If you have non-standard qualifications, a technical interview may be part of the selection procedure. This is to ensure that the course is suitable for you and that your current studies have prepared you for the curriculum at Leeds. If you are unable to attend, a telephone or Skype interview may be arranged. For further information, read our admissions policy.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Policy

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £23,750 (per year)

Tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's planned exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's planned exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships

The School of Chemistry awards a range of scholarships.

Our Chemistry graduates have expert understanding of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and are experienced researchers. With the ability to communicate effectively to a range of audiences they are equipped for a wide variety of careers both in and beyond science.

The University of Leeds is in the top ten most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2019 report.

For further information on career paths and employability please see our careers pages.

Careers support

Throughout your degree course we will make sure that you have the support and opportunity to develop the skills and experience you’ll need to make the most of your career choices. The students’ union also provides volunteering opportunities which can help you in your personal development.

We teach problem-solving and high level thinking at all stages of your degree. Our programmes provide you with opportunities to develop the core subject knowledge and skills that you need to progress to a career in a particular area. Additionally, we offer skills development modules and modules that will give you an insight into industrial new product development, from concept to market, in the chemical and allied industries. These modules lead you through the various stages of setting up a new social enterprise, from the inception and development of the idea itself, through preparation of a business plan to creating a funding proposal for potential investors/grant awarding bodies.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Spending a year living and studying in another country is a unique experience. Unlike the passing tourist, you have the chance to totally immerse yourself in another culture. You will gain unforgettable experiences and memories that you will draw upon in your working and personal life for years to come. In addition to this, the proven ability to live and work in an international context is an asset that employers actively seek.

On this course you have the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad. As a BSc student you may include your study abroad experience as an additional year of your studies, or, subject to satisfactory academic performance, transfer to our MChem degree scheme in which your study abroad year replaces your third year at Leeds.

During your year abroad, you will follow the chemistry course at your host institution. Many students find it valuable to undertake an extended practical project during this year which can be presented as part of your assessment for the year.

If you wish to study at an institution where the course is taught in a foreign language, such as French, you don’t need to be fluent in the language before you go. We will help prepare you with a specialist language module at Level 2 which introduces you to scientific vocabulary and enhances your conversational and comprehension skills.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

The industrial placement (“Year in Industry”) scheme provides you with the opportunity to experience salaried work before you graduate. Employers actively seek graduates who already have work experience and it can make all the difference in interviews. In addition, the opportunity to work every day with scientists who are experts in their field is an incredible opportunity to enhance your knowledge of chemistry.

An industrial placement will boost your self-confidence, not only in your chosen subject area, but in the marketplace generally. You will be able to choose from a range of pharmaceutical, oil, fine chemical, colour, polymer and other chemistry-related industries in which to work. In previous years, students have worked at many prestigious companies, including:

• AstraZeneca
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Pfizer
• Roche
• Unilever

During your industrial placement you will have an industrial supervisor from within the company, plus an academic supervisor who will keep in touch throughout your placement.

If you are not sure right now whether or not an industrial placement is right for you, don't worry - you will not have to start applying for placements until the beginning of your second year.