• Undergraduate
  • MSci

Chemistry

Develop your appreciation of core chemistry through to Master's level in this professionally accredited course.

Deepen your understanding of chemistry through to Master's level

Build up a high level of laboratory experience and receive training in a variety of experimental techniques

Develop your chemistry expertise on an optional research year abroad or year in industry

How would you like to study?

Study option:

Showing course information for 2026 View 2025 course information

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MSci

  • Duration

    4 years

  • Start date

    October 2026

  • UCAS course code

    F103

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • Not set Home

    • Not set Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

    • White City

  • Applications: places

    7 : 1 (2024)

Minimum entry standard

  • AAA (A-level)

  • 38 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements

Study option:

Course overview

Develop your appreciation of core chemistry through to Master's level on this professionally accredited four-year course.

You'll be taught by world leaders in the field as you explore fundamental chemistry topics during your first two years.

You'll examine key aspects of inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, synthetic and computational chemistry, before specialising across a series of advanced topics as your degree develops.

An extensive laboratory programme will help develop your practical skills and understanding of experimental measurements and computational models. Through this work, you'll build a broad range of research skills from finding reliable information, to designing an experimental investigation and analysing and communicating the results.

During the third year, you'll examine emergent ‘industry 4.0’ approaches and technologies such as rapid prototyping, biohacking and machine learning.

An extensive research project forms the major component of your final year. You'll join one of the department’s academic research groups to complete a six-month independent research project.

Teaching is primarily delivered at our South Kensington Campus, with regular opportunities to advance your skills at our state-of-the-art Molecular Sciences Research Hub in White City.

Study option:

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

You’ll study the following core modules.

You’ll also take one optional module.

Core modules

Optional modules

Professional accreditation

This degree leads to a Master’s level qualification and is professionally accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

This accreditation is internationally respected in an increasingly global industry and graduate market. It will allow you to demonstrate that you’ve completed a high-quality degree programme designed to meet the needs of both students and their future employers.

This MSci degree fully satisfies the academic requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Chemist (CChem). Becoming a Chartered Chemist earns you an internationally recognised qualification which can enhance your career prospects and earning potential

Our accreditation agreement with the Royal Society of Chemistry is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement was recently extended through 2027.

Associateship

In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Study option:

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • Independent study

Years 1 and 2

  • 30% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 70% Independent study

Year 3

  • 20% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 80% Independent study

Year 4

  • 10% Classroom teaching and laboratory work
  • 90% Independent study

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical workshops
  • Guided laboratory work
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Literature reports
  • Individual research project
    Research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Examination
  • Coursework and practical work

Year 1

  • 75% Examination
  • 25% Coursework and practical work

Year 2

  • 65% Examination
  • 35% Coursework and practical work

Year 3

  • 40% Examination
  • 60% Coursework and practical work

Year 4

  • 25% Examination
  • 75% Coursework and practical work

Assessment methods

  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Oral presentation
  • Papers from a written report
    Written reports
  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Poster project
    Academic posters

Study option:

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

Minimum entry standard

AAA

To include:

  • A in Chemistry
  • A in Mathematics
  • A in a third subject (Biology, Economics, and Physics are preferred)

Not accepted: General Studies and Critical Thinking
Science Practical Endorsement: If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.

Typical offer

A*AA (applicants studying three A-levels)

Offers made to at least 50% of 2024 entry A-level applicants.

Support for widening participation applicants

Our contextual admissions route for UK applicants may entitle you to additional considerations within the application process to help us form a more complete picture of your potential to succeed at Imperial. 

Find out more about who is eligible and what support you may receive.

Study option:

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

When applications open, you will be able to start your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.

Applications open on 13 May 2025

Application deadlines – 14 January 2026 at 18.00 (UK time)

Fees and funding

Home fee

2026 entry

Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2025-26 was £9,535 per year.

Year abroad

2026 entry

Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2025-26 was £1,450 for that year.

Year in industry

2026 entry

Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2025-26 was £1,900 for that year.

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

86% Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work or further study*

  • 86% Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work or further study*
  • 14%

80% Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work highly skilled or further study*

  • 80% Of Imperial Chemistry graduates in work highly skilled or further study*
  • 20%

*2021-22 graduate outcomes data, published by HESA in 2024

Become familiar with a broad range of research skills.

Gain proficiency in finding, designing, analysing and communicating reliable information.

Chemistry graduates pursue careers in high-demand fields, as well as further education at the PhD level.

Consulting, research, accounting, industrial development, production control, marketing, and teaching are common careers.

Other potential careers include pharmaceuticals, data science, accounting, and defence.

Course data

Compare this course – Chemistry MSci

Compare this course – Chemistry with a Year in Industry MSci

Compare this course – Chemistry with Research Abroad MSci

Compare this course – Chemistry with Research Abroad and a Year in Industry MSci

Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications