Medicinal Chemistry (with placement year)

Our Medicinal Chemistry MChem degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand how drugs and medicines are designed, developed and how they work, preparing you to contribute to the creation of future medicines and build a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry and related allied sectors.

A major challenge in medical research is the search for new drugs to combat cancer, heart disease, viruses and bacterial infections. This work highlights the vital role that medicinal chemists play in protecting our health and wellbeing. As a result, the need for highly skilled graduates with a strong background in organic chemistry, combined with a broad understanding of pharmacology and related biochemical fields, is more important than ever.

Our Medicinal Chemistry MChem (Hons) degree offers you the opportunity to study chemistry as a major subject alongside topics linked to the medical and pharmaceutical industries, ensuring that our graduates develop the skills needed to succeed in the pharmaceutical sector and related fields. In year one, you will develop a strong understanding of core chemistry principles. In year two, you will deepen your knowledge of biological chemistry (these modules do not require a background in biology). In year three, you will study more advanced topics in medicinal and biological chemistry and undertake four investigative projects. You will also complete an in-depth literature review on a key topic, enabling you to develop specialised knowledge in a particular area.

In the final year of the MChem you will further develop the skills required for original scientific research by conducting your dissertation and an extended research project.

Throughout your studies, you will gain practical hands-on laboratory experience in our state-of-the-art STEMLab facilities. You have the opportunity to add further value to your time at Loughborough by spending either a placement year in industry gaining highly sought-after workplace experience or by exploring options for study abroad. As a student of chemistry at Loughborough, you will benefit from high levels of pastoral support, a peer-mentoring scheme and the compelling insights of our renowned academic staff, many of whom are active in research with far-reaching impact.

What's the difference between MChem and BSc?

Both the Medicinal Chemistry BSc (Hons) degree and the Medicinal Chemistry MChem (Hons) degree are orientated towards the practice of chemistry in the world outside the University. Our BSc course equips you for employment in chemistry, scientific and other sectors. The MChem course prepares you for pursuing a PhD or for a career in industrial research.

Medicinal Chemistry BSc

Chemical Engineering or Chemistry

Loughborough University offers undergraduate degrees in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.

What's the difference, and which one should you study?

Course Modules

For a full list of areas studied, see the 'What You'll Study' section of the course page on our website.

You are assessed by examination and coursework. Depending on the module, coursework may include written laboratory reports, oral presentations, poster presentations, research papers, peer review and a dissertation.

MChem students must obtain an average of 55% or above in Years 2 and 3 to progress to the next year of the course. Your MChem degree classification will be determined by the weighted average of your marks obtained in years 2, 3 and 4 in the ratio 20:40:40.