Polymers, Colorants and Fine Chemicals MSc

A programme developed for students with a STEM background, the Polymers, Colorants and Fine Chemicals Masters course is designed to provide you with the principles and theories of polymer and colour science and to learn how to apply these scientific methods to solve real-life challenges.

The course is interdisciplinary, bringing together expertise from a range of specialisms, including chemistry, food science and technology, and design technology and aesthetics. You will be taught by experts from the School of Design and the Schools of Chemistry, Food Science and Nutrition to solve problems relevant to contemporary research.

You will also be introduced to a breadth of practical research and high-level academic skills in planning, experimentation and processing in synthesis and characterisation aspects. Optional modules will give you the chance to build up specialist knowledge in areas that align with your interests and career aspirations.

During the Polymers, Colorants and Fine Chemicals Masters course, you will develop your knowledge and research skills you need for a career in a range of industries, including cosmetics, textiles, biomaterials, surface coatings and graphic arts. As well as learning crucial research techniques, you will also develop a range of key skills in problem solving, information technology, presentation and communication.

Course highlights

• Our research in applied colour creation and colour application is globally leading, which we achieve through extensive industrially collaborative research activities, aimed at providing novel, science-based solutions for industry.

• During your studies, you will access specialist facilities and laboratories.

• You will complete an individual extended research project, which is typically carried out within a research group and may also include external industrial involvement.

• You will learn from chemists, food scientists and design technologists to gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in a multidisciplinary environment.

Programme team

The Programme is led by Dr Natalia Sergeeva. The multidiciplinarity nature of her research allows her to contribute to a wide range of topics. She lectures material related to colour physics and chemistry, materials and synthetic chemistry. Dr Sergeeva is part of the Colour and Polymer Science research group, focusing on the design, synthesis, evaluation of novel colorants and their applications across important, wide ranging scientific and technological fields.

Specialist facilities

You will have access to excellent teaching and laboratory facilities, supplemented by extensive computing equipment. Our specialist facilities include the latest equipment for synthetic, physical and analytical chemistry, 500 MHz NMR machines, a cutting-edge CCD-based X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy/ energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry, thermal analysis, particle size analysis, gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, and rheometer. Depending on the modules and projects that you choose to work in, you will also have access to teaching facilities from across the different schools and faculties.

You will study modules covering concepts, information and techniques related to polymers, colorants and fine chemicals. You’ll also be introduced to topics from our world-leading research, such as synthesis, formulation and application of advanced polymers, colorants, cosmetics, inks and coatings, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The focal point of the degree course is your extended research project. Your supervisor will help you to select a project that is right for you, in an area that interests and motivates you. This is your chance to make your own contribution to science. The project will equip you with the independent research and critical thinking skills that you will draw on throughout your future career.

Some research projects will be closely linked with our partners in industry, helping you to make new connections and develop industrial experience that will benefit your employment prospects on graduation.

This programme is highly valued by the industrial partners who contribute to the course, including the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, the Worshipful Company of Dyers of the City of London, the Oil and Colour Chemists' Association and the British Coatings Federation.

Project work

You will typically spend around 12 weeks in your supervisors' research laboratories working alongside PhD students and experienced postdoctoral researchers. Depending on the modules and projects that you choose to work in, you will also have access to teaching facilities from across the different schools and faculties.

Want to find out more about your modules?

Take a look at the Polymers, Colorants and Fine Chemicals module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

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 Polymers, Colorants and Fine Chemicals MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

The course is interdisciplinary, bringing together expertise from a range of specialism. You will be taught by experts from the School of Design, School of Chemistry and School of Food Science and Nutrition, meaning you will learn from chemists, food scientists, design technologists to gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in a multidisciplinary environment.

You will be taught through a series of lectures, small group workshops and practical lab sessions. You will also get involved in student led activities such as literature presentations. The final stage of study is an individual extended research project which is typically carried out within a research group and may also include external industrial involvement.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

The wide range of continual assessment formats will allow you to improve your generic skills, and to hone your ability to solve problems. As part of the continual assessment of modules, you will give a wide range of oral presentations; prepare short articles, essays, and research reports; perform computational exercises; and undertake group-based problem-solving activities. Your research project will be assessed through your practical work and a written research report.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons) in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or a related subject.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Apply

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

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.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

• UK: £12,750 (total)
• International: £28,000 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Computers and digital equipment

To ensure you can make the most of your studies at Leeds, you’ll need to make sure your laptop meets the system requirements for your course.

Depending on your circumstances you can benefit from a laptop loan or further support from our Financial Assistance Fund.

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.

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.

Scholarships and financial support

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

A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a job.

The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2022 report.

There is a range of employment opportunities in areas such as fine chemicals manufacture (eg colorants, textiles, cosmetics, food additives, healthcare products etc.), polymers and polymeric additives (eg high performance plastics, biopolymers, medical implants, drugs), colour applications (eg textile dyeing and printing, inks and coatings), with companies such as:

• Unilever

• Procter & Gamble

• GlaxoSmithKline

• Clariant

• Archroma

• Huntsman

• L’Oreal

• Abbott Laboratory

• AkzoNobel

• Sun Chemical

• BASF

There are also opportunities to undertake a PhD with many projects supported by industrial partners.

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.

Careers support

At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You’ll have access to the wide range of careers resources and support from your Careers Service. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations, book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops and webinars. Our careers fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.

You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.