Overview

The Medicinal Chemistry with Industrial Placement programme offered by Heriot-Watt University offers a rigorous and modern education combined with a structured placement year in industry, giving you a competitive edge in the job market and preparing you for a successful career in pharmaceutical and chemical sciences.

Over five years, you will build a strong foundation in core chemistry disciplines — including chemical reactivity, molecular structure and bonding, spectroscopy, and organic synthesis. As you progress, your studies will increasingly focus on medicinal chemistry topics such as pharmacology, enzyme kinetics, drug design, molecular modelling, and pharmaceutical analysis, as well as the use of AI and machine learning in drug development.

Key Facts

As part of MChem Medicinal Chemistry with Industrial Placement, you can choose an industrial placement in the pharmaceutical, chemical, or biotechnology sector. You will gain first-hand experience as an industrial scientist, develop your technical and professional skills, and enhance your career prospects in the medicinal chemistry field.

Hands-on laboratory work is embedded throughout the course, developing your technical skills and reinforcing theoretical knowledge. The placement year provides an exceptional opportunity to apply these skills in a professional environment, gaining first-hand experience of industrial research, laboratory practices, and project management — and building the confidence, adaptability, and industry connections that employers value.

Programme Structure

Courses Include:

Molecular Biology
Medical Microbiology

Cell and Molecular Biolog
Chemical Reaction Rates and Mechanisms

Organometallic Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-14 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

OR

79

OR

4

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

63

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6

Prepare for Your English Test

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Credits

480 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Chemistry View 368 other Bachelors in Chemistry in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

OR

79

OR

4

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

63

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Highers AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry at A, and one of Maths or Physics or Engineering Science at B.
A-Levels BBB. Must include Chemistry at B, and either Maths or Physics at B.
International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Chemistry at Higher Level 5 and either Maths or Physics at Higher Level 5.
BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.
HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Chemistry and Maths.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

25808 GBP / year

≈ 25808 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

9790 GBP / year

≈ 9790 GBP / year

Living costs

Edinburgh

United Kingdom

725 - 1167 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Medicinal Chemistry with Industrial Placement.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Key Facts

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Edinburgh

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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